Instructions

1. 1

   CAKE

2. 2

   Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds and preheat oven to 350 deg F. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of three 8 inch round cake pans. Line the pans with parchment paper. Dust the bottom and sides with flour; tap out the excess.

3. 3

   Into a medium bowl, sift the cake flour and the baking soda. Using an electric mixer set at mdeium speed, cream the butter and the sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in one egg yolk at a time, blending well after each addition. Beat in the melted white chocolate mixture and the vanilla. At low speed, blend in the sifted flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk; do not overbeat. Fold in the coconut and pecans.

4. 4

   Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Blend 1/3 of the egg whites into the cake mixture to lighten it; carefully fold in the remaining egg whites. Spoon the batter into the prepared pans.

5. 5

   Bake until the cake springs back when touched in the center and a cake tester inserted in the center of the pans comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes.