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Lemon Coconut Cake

8 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 1 hour + cooling Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

14 servings

Updated: Nov. 28, 2023
“If you’re pressed for time, use a white cake mix and dress it up with the filling and frosting from this recipe,” suggests field editor LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma. “This is a lovely dessert for spring and summer.”
Lemon Coconut Cake
Lemon Coconut Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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Ingredients

  • 5 egg whites
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • FILLING:
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Dash salt
  • 3/4 cup cold water
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • FROSTING:
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1-1/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Directions

  1. Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; gradually fold into creamed mixture.
  2. Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir in lemon juice and butter. Cool, without stirring, to room temperature.
  4. In a large bowl, cream shortening and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy; beat in vanilla. Gradually add water, beating until smooth. Spread filling between cake layers. Frost top and sides of cake; sprinkle with coconut.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 585 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 306mg sodium, 84g carbohydrate (69g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.