ITALIAN CREME BUNDT CAKE

INGREDIENTS :

2 c all purpose flour
2 c sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 c shredded coconuts
1 c finely chopped walnuts
5 egg whites [beat for stiff peaks]
5 egg yolks
1 c buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp baking powder [optional]
CAKE ICING
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 c whipping cream
1/2 c chopped nuts
4 c powdered sugar
1/2 c coconut, shredded

Serves: 10-12, Prep: 45 Min, Cook: 55 Min

DIRECTIONS :

1 Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Cream butter with sugar and add vanilla.
2. Separate the eggs. Beat the whites until soft peaks form – and set aside. Cream the egg yolks, butter and sugar. Set them aside.
3. In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients: Sifted flour, baking powder and the baking soda. [it doesnt call for baking powder but I like my cakes to stand high]
4. Add the dry ingredients to the mixture a little at a time alternating with the buttermilk (about 1/4 cup at a time).
   2 5. Next mix in walnuts and coconut.
5. With a spatula gently fold in your egg whites into the batter by making the figure 8 pattern.
6. Spoon the batter into your greased bundt pan making it as even as you can.
7. Bake for about 60 minutes until the cake seems firm
   3 10. Let it cool for 20 minutes.
   For the Icing:
8. With a hand blender cream the cream cheese with the 1/2 cups of whipping cream. Add powder sugar. Blend. Pour generous amount on cake. Sprinkle Coconuts and top off with chopped walnuts. Again drizzle [I like that word] more icing on top on nuts and cocunuts.
   Refrigerate the cake until you are going to slice and serve!