Hibiscus Nectar Cake

Submitted by KVasanth

"This is my mom's favorite cake, and I have kept losing and finding the recipe over the years, so I'm posting it here for safe keeping. I should mention, though, that this is not my recipe- it comes from an October 1996 issue of Southern Living. This is a truly wonderful (albeit labor intensive) three layer cake, and I have made it on many special occasions."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs
• Ingredients: 21
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 large eggs, separated
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1⁄4 cup sour cream
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups flaked coconut, toasted
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1⁄2 cup chopped maraschino cherry, drained

• Frosting

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon coconut extract
• 1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1⁄2 cup chopped maraschino cherry, drained

directions

1. Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar, beating well.
2. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add extracts; beat just until blended. Set mixture aside.
3. Combine buttermilk and sour cream, stirring until blended. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, and add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed with an electric mixer until blended after each addition.
4. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Fold in coconut, pecans, and cherries. Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans.
5. Bake at 350° for 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.
6. Spread Cherry-Nut Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Store cake in refrigerator.

7. Frosting:

8. Beat butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; mix in vanilla and coconut extracts. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well.
9. Fold in chopped pecans and maraschino cherries.

Reviews

[BetsyLau]

This cake has been made in my family for years. It's a great alternative for non-chocolate lovers, and it's perfect for spring.