Southern Coconut Cake

Steps

1. 1Butter Cake
2. 2Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. 3Prepare 3 9-inch cake pans with shortening and flour.
4. 4Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt with a whisk in a large bowl. Set aside.
5. 5Cream butter until fluffy and then add sugar. Cream together for about 8 more minutes.
6. 6Add eggs, 1 at a time, and cream together after each.
7. 7Add flour mixture and buttermilk, alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Combine each addition of flour and then turn mixer on high to add air into the batter.
8. 8Add vanilla and beat well. Turn mixer on high once vanilla has been incorporated for about 10 seconds to lighten batter.
9. 9Divide among pans and bake for 25-30 minutes until set. You can follow my tips for how to tell when your cake is done.
10. 10Turn out of pans onto cooling racks and allow to cool completely.
11. 11Southern Coconut Frosting
12. 12Whip butter until it reaches light and fluffy stage.
13. 13Slowly add sugar, beating well after each addition.
14. 14When all sugar has been incorporated, the butter and sugar will look like crumbles.
15. 15With mixer set on low speed, add in milk.
16. 16Then, beat on high speed for few minutes.
17. 17Add vanilla and coconut flavorings and beat on high speed until the frosting reaches a spreading consistency.
18. 18If it is too dry, add milk a few drops at a time.
19. 19If it is too wet, add powdered sugar a few sprinkles at a time until it reaches the correct consistency.
20. 20Frost cake and then sprinkle with coconut flakes.