AMALGAMATION CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°.
• Butter and flour three 9-inch diameter cake pans.
• Mix flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl.
• Using electric mixer, beat butter and 1 3/4 cups sugar in large bowl.
• Beat in vanilla.
• Add dry ingredients with milk.
• Beat whites in another large bowl to soft peaks.
• Slowly beat in 1/4 cup sugar.
• Continue beating until stiff but not dry.
• Fold whites into batter.
• Divide batter among prepared pans; smooth tops.
• Bake cakes for about 35 minutes.
• Cool cakes for about 10 minutes.
• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
• Whisk sugar, bourbon and yolks in medium bowl.
• Gradually whisk in melted butter.
• Return mixture to saucepan; whisk over medium heat until very thick for about 6 minutes.
• Mix in chopped pecans, raisins and 1 1/2 cups coconut.
• Chill until cold for about 1 hour.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter.
• Spread 1/3 of filling over; cover with second layer.
• Spread 1/3 of filling over; top with third cake layer.
• Spread remaining filling over top (not on the sides) of cake.
• Sprinkle additional coconut in 1-inch border around top edge of cake.
• Garnish with pecan halves.
• Can be prepared 1 day ahead.
• Let sit 2 hours at room temperature.