MRS COBB'S COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350°.
• Using an electric mixer, cream the sugar and shortening until light and fluffy.
• Sift or mix the flour, baking powder and salt.
• While beating, add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk.
• Then beat for 2- 2 1/2 minutes at medium speed.
• Add the egg whites and almond extract.
• Beat another 1 1/2 minutes.
• Add the coconut and stir well.
• Put into 2 greased and floured 9" cake pans.
• Bake about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool 10 minutes before removing layers from pans.
• Spread apricot filling on completely cooled bottom layer.
• Place second layer over filling.
• Cover top and sides of both layers with frosting.
• Filling: Drain apricots, reserving 2 Tbsp of juice.
• Remove any pit fragments or pieces of stems from the apricots.
• Puree in blender until smooth.
• Place in saucepan.
• Add reserved juice to cornstarch and mix well.
• Stir into apricots.
• Add the sugar.
• Cook stirring over medium heat until thickened.
• Frosting: Cream the butter or margarine and cream cheese together.
• Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
• If frosting is too stiff to spread, add milk a half teaspoon at a time.
• After cake is frosted, lightly press more coconut onto the top and sides, if desired.