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1
Get your two layer cake pans, (you can do one 9 x 13 inch instead, if you like) ready by cutting either white parchment paper or brown paper (from grocery bags is fine) to fit the bottom of the pan(s) to be used and brush with melted butter on bottom and sides.
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2
Mix flour with baking powder, measuring and sifting at least 4 to 5 times .
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3
Beat the egg whites until they are stiff.
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4
Cream the butter (or shortening), then add the sugar and work it it in very lightly.
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5
Then, to the butter and sugar mixture, add the milk in a little at a time, then the flour.
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6
Add the egg whites without breaking them down, fold them in, and finally add the flavoring (butter, rum, coconut, vanilla, your choice, but we like the rum flavoring for our coconut cakes, use about 3/4 to 1 tsp).
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7
If the batter is too stiff, it is alright to add a touch or two of milk after you have finished, but make sure not to work it too hard, or the cake will not be light and lucious.
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8
Bake the cake at 300 degrees (150 C.) for 15 minutes, then raise the heat in your oven to 350 degrees (175 C.) and bake for another 30 minutes.
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9
Take the cake from the oven when your finger springs back lightly.
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10
Sit the cakes on a rack until cold, then pour over them the milk from one large coconut.
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11
Grate the coconut and make the icing and add the coconut to the cake for decorations, you can lightly toast it if you wish.
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12
Spread each layer of the cake with icing.
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13
Sprinkle coconut on the lower layer; putting the two layers together, then ice with the plain icing.
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14
Sprinkle the top of the cake with more coconut.
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15
(If you can shred the coconut, it looks nicer and tastes better according to some)
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16
Combine sugar, syrup and water, stir it, cook it to a 242 degrees (125 C.) or until a very firm ball stage, not hard crack, just a nice ball.
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17
Pour slowly over stiffy beaten egg whites, beating it constantly to whip it up.
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18
Flavor and beat until cool and stiff enough to stand on it's own.
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19
We like using the rum flavoring for coconut cakes, use about 1/2 tsp (2 ml).
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20
You can use a good quality Jamacian Rum or a stout nice brandy in place of the flavorings.
