Pineapple-Coconut Layer Cake

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Active Time:  1 Hour 15 Minutes Total Time:  2 Hours 30 Minutes Yield:  16 servings For everyone who loves the flavors of the Caribbean, this festive cake has it all. Two layers of coconut-flavored cake are filled with sweet pineapple curd and topped with creamy coconut frosting, chunks of fresh pineapple and toasted coconut. Make Ahead Tip: Equipment: Two 9-inch round cake pans RECIPE INGREDIENTS For the Cake: 1 1/2  cups cake flour 1 cup  whole-wheat flour, preferably white whole-wheat (See Ingredient Note) 2 teaspoons   baking powder 1/4 teaspoon   salt 3/4 cup  granulated sugar 1/2 cup  honey 1/3 cup  canola oil 3 tablespoons   butter, melted 3/4 cup  nonfat buttermilk or milk 2 tablespoons   coconut rum or dark rum 2 teaspoons   coconut extract 3   large eggs, separated (reserve 2 yolks for pineapple curd) For the Pineapple Curd: 2   large egg yolks 1 6-ounce can   pineapple juice (3/4 cup) 1/4 cup  granulated sugar 5 teaspoons   cornstarch For the Frosting & To Garnish: 12 ounces   reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), at room temperature 1/3 cup  confectioners’ sugar, sifted 1 teaspoon   coconut extract or rum Pinch of  salt 1 1/2  cups   finely diced fresh pineapple, divided 2 tablespoons   toasted coconut (see Kitchen Tip) Kitchen Tip: Toast coconut in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat until golden, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Ingredient Note: White whole-wheat flour, made from a special variety of white wheat, is light in color and flavor but has the same nutritional properties as regular whole wheat. Whole-wheat pastry flour can be used as a substitute here.

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DIRECTIONS FOR THE CAKE: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray. Sift cake flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt into a medium bowl. Beat 3/4 cup sugar, honey, oil and melted butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Whisk buttermilk (or milk), rum and coconut extract in a small bowl. With the mixer on low speed, alternately mix the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients into the sugar mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until just combined. Clean and dry the beaters. Beat 3 egg whites in a medium bowl with the electric mixer on medium-high until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whites into the batter in two additions until just combined. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, spreading to the edges. Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 26 to 30 minutes. Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn out and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. FOR THE CURD: Whisk 2 egg yolks, pineapple juice, 1/4 cup sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thick and beginning to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool completely. FOR THE FROSTING & TO ASSEMBLE CAKE: Beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, extract (or rum) and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Place one cake layer, top-side down, on a cake stand or plate. Spread evenly with the pineapple curd, stopping just short of the edge. Scatter 1/2 cup diced pineapple over the curd. Place the remaining layer, top-side up, on top. Spread the frosting over the top and sides. Decorate the top with the remaining 1 cup pineapple and toasted coconut. Nutrition Facts per Serving Yield: Yield:  16 servings Calories: 317 Fat. Total: 13g Protein: 6g Carbohydrates, Total: 45g Fat, Saturated: 5g Fiber: 1g Cholesterol: 48mg Sodium: 205mg % Cal. from Fat: 37%