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1
Preheat the oven to 325.
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2
Butter three 9-inch round cake pans.
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3
Line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the paper and flour the pans.
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4
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt.
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5
In a standing electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy.
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6
Beat in the vanilla.
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7
At low speed, beat in the dry ingredients and the milk in 3 alternating batches; be sure to scrape the side and bottom of the bowl.
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8
In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks.
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9
Beat one-third of the egg whites into the batter.
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10
Using a rubber spatula, fold in the remaining beaten whites until combined.
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11
Divide the batter between the prepared pans.
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12
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cakes are lightly golden and springy.
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13
Let the cakes cool in the pans for a few minutes, then invert them onto racks to cool completely.
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14
Peel off the parchment paper.
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15
Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes, until fragrant.
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16
Let cool, then coarsely chop.
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17
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
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18
Remove from the heat and whisk in the egg yolks and sugar until smooth.
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19
Return the pan to moderate heat and cook the filling, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened and an instant-read thermometer reads 180; be sure not to let it boil.
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20
Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped pecans, coconut, raisins and bourbon.
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21
Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
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22
In a medium bowl, beat the butter until creamy.
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23
Add the vanilla and salt, then gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar, being sure to scrape the side and bottom of the bowl.
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24
Add the half-and-half and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
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25
Place a cake layer on a plate and top with one-third of the filling, spreading it almost to the edge.
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26
Top with a second cake layer and another third of the filling.
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27
Top with the last cake layer.
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28
Using an offset spatula, spread a thin layer of the buttercream all around the cake, being sure to fill in any gaps between the layers.
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29
Refrigerate the cake for 10 minutes, to firm up the buttercream.
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30
Spread the remaining buttercream around the side of the cake only, leaving the top with just the thin layer of buttercream.
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31
Spread the remaining filling over the top of the cake.
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32
Let the cake stand for at least 4 hours before cutting.