Recipe Station

Do you want that one cake that will have everyone coming  back for more? Here you have it, and your going to love it! Have everyone raving over this incredible cake and put a smile on everyone's face!

What You Need:

• 10 1/2 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 1/2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 2/3 cups sugar, divided
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 5 large eggs, separated
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1/3 to 1/2 cups coconut flakes (I like the large flakes, but you can use smaller flakes, too)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 to 2 bananas, sliced

The Directions To Follow: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F and place a rack in the middle. Line a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some to drape over the sides of the pan.

2. In a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and 2/3 cup of the sugar until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.

3. Working on low speed, add the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt and mix well.

4. Mix in the egg yolks and the milk until combined, then scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

5. Clean and thoroughly dry the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Pour in the egg whites, making sure there are no specks of yolk, and add the remaining 1 cup of sugar. Beat to soft peaks—be patient, it will happen. If the egg whites aren't reaching soft peaks, wait until the mixture ribbons back onto itself. Spread this carefully on top of the cake layer.

6. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown and puffed. About 15 minutes through baking, cover the meringue with coconut flakes (this way, the coconut can adhere to the still-damp meringue but it will not burn in the oven.)

7. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack. Meanwhile, make the whipped cream: Pour the cream into a medium bowl and scrape in the vanilla seeds, discarding the pod. Beat to soft peaks with an electric mixer, about 3 minutes.

8. Carefully transfer the cool cake to a cutting board. Cut the cake in half crosswisewith a serrated knife. Place one half of the cake on your serving tray of choice and cover with the cream and banana slices. Place the other half, meringue side up, on top.

Chill this cake in the fridge for about an hour before serving. That will have everyone ready to dive in. Let the smiles begin and you will be filled with joy in your hearts!

Source: Food 52

Photo: Food 52