COCONUT LEMON CAKE

Steps:

• Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition.
• Combine flour and baking powder; add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoons vanilla.
• Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form, fold about one-third of egg whites into batter; fold in remaining egg whites. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
• Bake at 350°F for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
• Spread Lemon Filling between layers. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle top and sides with coconut; garnish, if desired.
• Lemon Filling.
• Combine sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan; stir in 1 cup boiling water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar and cornstarch dissolve (about 3 minutes). Gradually stir about one-fourth of hot mixture into yolks; add to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Stir in lemon juice.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in butter. Cool, stirring occasionally.
• Yield 1 2/3 cup.
• Cream Cheese Frosting.
• Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powered sugar, beating at low speed until blended, stir in vanilla.