Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line three, nine-inch cake pans with parchment paper, and butter/grease the sides. To line the cake pans, using a pencil trace the bottoms of the pan on parchment paper, cut out, and face the pencil side down in the cake pan. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl add flour, baking powder and salt. Mix together and set aside.

Step 3

In a stand mixture cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg whites and continue to mix until well incorporated. Add sour cream and coconut extract and mix together until incorporated.

Step 4

Next, alternate coconut milk and dry ingredients into your butter mixture in 2 additions just until incorporated.

Step 5

Using a spatula mix coconut into the batter.

Step 6

Divide batter equally into your prepared cake pans.

Step 7

Place all pans in the oven (on the same rack) and bake for 15 minutes. Rotate pans after 15 minutes and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Note: the cake will be very light in colour, so make sure not to overbake.

Step 8

Let cakes cool on a cooling rack for 5 minutes then place in the freezer (right in the pans).

Step 9

Meanwhile, toast your coconut in a large pan on the stovetop for approx. 5 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and place into a bowl to cool.

Step 10

Make your icing. In a stand mixer with the whip attachment add icing sugar and butter together, mix on low. Slowly add coconut milk. Raise the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form. Add vanilla extract. Note: add more butter for a creamier icing with less sweetness.

Step 11

Build your cake. Take cakes out of the freezer and remove from cake pans (and parchment paper on the bottoms). Dust any crumbs off the cakes.

Step 12

Build your cake on a cake board or right on your cake stand. Place a dollop of icing in the middle of the board/cake stand. This is to keep your cake in place. Add your first cake layer. Next add a heaping amount of icing and spread out over the cake, letting the icing fall over the sides.

Step 13

Add your next cake layer and ice, letting the icing fall off the sides again. Add your top layer and add icing, again letting the icing fall off the sides.

Step 14

Ice the sides of the cake, making sure the icing is even and thick enough to press into the cake.

Step 15

Fill your palm with a handful of toasted coconut and add to the top of the cake and edges, lightly press in. Using your palm again fill with more coconut and lightly press coconut around the edges of the cake.

Step 16

Enjoy on its own or with ice cream.