Pineapple Coconut Cake

This cake is a-mazing! It is a MUST try for anybody. Not only is it one of the most delicious things you've ever tasted, but it's beautiful, too. And I mean, seriously, how can you go wrong with whip cream, pineapple, and coconut???

Ingredients

• 5 eggs, separated
• 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• MOUSSE:
• 4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 5 cups flaked coconut, divided

Directions

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Drain pineapple, reserving 1 cup juice; set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating on high speed until thick and lemon-colored. Beat in the butter, extracts and 1/2 cup reserved juice. Add dry ingredients; beat until well blended.
• Beat egg whites with clean beaters on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter.
• Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add 1 cup confectioners' sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese, pineapple and remaining confectioners' sugar until blended; stir in 2 cups coconut. Fold in whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; drizzle with 2 tablespoons reserved juice. Spread with 2 cups mousse. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake layer and drizzle with remaining juice. Spread remaining mousse over top and sides of cake. Press remaining coconut onto top and sides. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Yield: 12 servings.