Ingredients
CAKE BATTER:3-1/2 cups shortening7-1/2 cups sugar30 egg whites4 cups milk3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract10 cups all-purpose flour3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon saltCOCONUT FILLING:1 cup sugar1/3 cup cornstarch1/4 teaspoon salt2 cans (13.66 ounces each) coconut milk1 cup half-and-half cream8 egg yolks, beaten2 tablespoons butter1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract1 cup sweetened shredded coconutFROSTING:1 cup shortening1 cup butter, softened8 cups confectioners’ sugar6 tablespoons milk2 teaspoons clear vanilla extractDECORATIONS AND ASSEMBLY:11 wooden dowels (eight 2-3/4 inches x 1/4 inch, three 3 inches x 1/4 inch)3 cardboard cake circles (one 8 inch, two 5 inch)3 packages (1-1/2 pounds each) ready-to-use rolled white fondantAssorted snowflake cookie cuttersWhite edible glitter1 small new paintbrushAdditional clear vanilla extract2 to 3 drops blue food coloringPastry bag and round pastry tip #4Rock candy
Preparation
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. In another bowl, combine the egg whites, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with egg white mixture, beating well after each addition.
Pour 2 cups batter into each of four greased and floured 6-in. round baking pans. Pour 3 cups batter into each of four greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. For 6-in. pans, bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For 9-in. pans, bake at 350° for 27-33 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Smaller cake pans have a deeper fill and need to bake longer.) Cool the cakes for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For filling: In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually whisk in coconut milk and cream until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla.
Transfer to a large bowl. Cool to room temperature. Cover surface of filling with waxed paper; refrigerate until cooled. Stir in coconut.
For frosting: In a large bowl, beat shortening and butter until light and fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar, milk and vanilla; beat until smooth.
To assemble cake: Level cake tops if necessary. Place a 9-in. cake on a serving plate; spread with 1-1/4 cups filling. Top with second 9-in. cake; spread top with 3/4 cup frosting. Insert four 2-3/4-in. wooden dowels 1-2 in. apart into center of cake to support the next layers.
Place third 9-in. cake on an 8-in. cardboard circle; place over cake on platter. Spread with 1-1/4 cups filling. Top with remaining 9-in. cake. Frost top and sides of cake with about 2 cups frosting, forming a crumb coating. Roll out 1-1/4 pounds of fondant into a 21-in. circle. Drape over cake and gently smooth, working from the center. Trim ends. Insert four 2-3/4-in. dowels 1 to 2 in. apart into center of cake. Set aside.
On a work surface, place a 6-in. cake on a 5-in. cardboard circle. Spread with 1 cup filling; top with second 6-in. cake. Spread top with 1/2 cup frosting. Insert remaining dowels 1 to 2 in. apart into center of cake. Place third 6-in. cake on remaining cardboard circle and position on dowels; spread with 1 cup filling. Top with remaining cake. Frost top and sides of cake with about 1-1/4 cups frosting. Roll out 1-1/4 pounds of fondant into an 18-in. circle. Drape over cake and gently smooth, working from the center. Trim ends. Gently place 6-in. layer cake on 9-in. layer cake.
Roll out remaining fondant to an 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with snowflake cookie cutters. Reroll scraps if desired. Place glitter in a small bowl. Press one side of each snowflake into glitter. With a paintbrush, brush vanilla over plain sides of snowflakes; secure onto cake.
In a small bowl, beat food coloring and remaining frosting until smooth. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry bag; insert pastry tip. Fill with blue frosting; pipe desired design over cake. Decorate with rock candy. Refrigerate leftovers.
