Mama’s Snow Cake

Name: Mama's Snow Cake
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 12-16 servings.
Cuisine: Comfort Food Desserts, Comfort Food Recipes
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 2 cups sugar; 4 large eggs, separated; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided; 1 cup whole milk; 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut; 1-1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest; ICING:; 2 cups sugar; 3 large egg whites; 5 tablespoons melted snow (or water); 2 teaspoons light corn syrup; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Sweetened shredded coconut

For a beautiful finish to a winter meal, I serve this "snow" cake. This dessert is so impressive its fluffy interior and its sweet exterior.—Jim Luker, Chesapeake, Virginia

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1 cup whole milk
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1-1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
ICING:
2 cups sugar
3 large egg whites
5 tablespoons melted snow (or water)
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sweetened shredded coconut

Directions

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and extracts; beat well. Combine flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Add coconut and orange zest. In a small bowl, beat egg whites with remaining salt until stiff peaks form; gently fold into batter. Pour into three greased 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (if wood burning stove is used, start peeking after 25 minutes). Cool in pans for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
For icing, combine sugar, egg whites, water and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan or double boiler. With a portable mixer, beat on low for 1 minute. Continue beating on low speed over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 8-10 minutes. Pour into a bowl; add vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with frosting and sprinkle with coconut. Repeat. Top with last layer. Frost top and sides of cake; sprinkle with coconut.