Basic 1-2-3-4 Cake:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature

2 cups of sugar

4 eggs

3 cups sifted self-rising flour

substitute all-purpose flour + 4 1/2 t powder + 1 1/2 t salt

1 cup of coconut milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup sour cream

4 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup flaked, sweetened coconut

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar or 1 tablespoon white corn syrup

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup water

2 egg whites

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Flaked, sweetened coconut, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. (I also use parchment paper) Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour.

Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4 inches above the counter, then dropping it flat onto counter.

Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until done.

Remove cake layers from oven and allow the cake to remain in pans as you prepare to stack and fill.

Remove the first layer and invert onto a cake plate. Using the wrong end of a wooden spoon, poke holes approximately 1-inch apart until the entire cake has been poked.

Spread 1/3 of filling mixture on the cake layer. Top with second layer, repeat process. Top with the last layer

and repeat process again.

While the cake is baking, prepare to fill. Stir together sugar, sour cream, milk, and coconut in a bowl until well blended.

Prepare 7-Minute Frosting.

Place sugar, cream of tartar or corn syrup, salt, water, and egg whites in the top of a double boiler. Beat with a handheld electric mixer for 1 minute. Place pan over boiling water, being sure that boiling water does not touch the bottom of the top pan. (If this happens, it could cause your frosting to become grainy). Beat constantly on high speed with an electric mixer for 7 minutes. Beat in vanilla.

Frost top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle top and sides of cakes with additional coconut.