Adapted from Smokin’ Hot in the South: New Grilling Recipes from the Winningest Woman in Barbecue by Melissa Cookston, Photography © Stephanie Mullins / Andrews McMeel Publishing
Most people have that one special person that they are close to in their family. My person was my grandfather. We would hang out under a shade tree, rebuilding car transmissions, hook the wagon up to the horses and go for rides, hang out at the local coffee shop (which also served as the local BBQ joint after breakfast), basically spending time together where he would impart common sense and wisdom to his granddaughter. He was a man of few words, so when he spoke, I was tuned in and listening, eager to absorb the next morsel of information. “I really like a good coconut cake,” he would say. I didn’t want to hear that; I wanted to hear more war stories, more engine rebuilding knowledge, the common sense to know when peanuts are ready to be pulled from the ground. He did love coconut cake, so this one is for my grandfather. This recipe picks up just a hint of smoke from cooking on the grill to give it that special touch.
Ingredients
- 1 coconut
- ¾ cup solid white vegetable shortening
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 4 medium eggs, separated, yolks whisked
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups cake flour
- 2¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Set the EGG for indirect cooking at 350°F/177°C, with a Baking Stone. It is very important that you monitor the temperature level of the baking stone. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.
Drain the liquid from the coconut and reserve. Remove the husk and, using a potato peeler, shave 1 cup of coconut meat. Grate the rest using a box grater.
In a stand mixer, cream the shortening and ½ cup of the sugar. Add the whisked egg yolks and vanilla and mix for 1 minute. Mix in ¾ cup of the grated coconut.
In a separate bowl, sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Add a quarter of this mixture at a time, alternating with pouring in some of the ¾ cup coconut liquid from the coconut. (If you didn’t get enough from the coconut, add coconut milk from a can or regular milk to make up the difference.) Mix until the wet and dry ingredients are completely integrated into the batter.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then gradually whisk in the remaining ½ cup of sugar and fold into the batter using a spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans, place on the baking stone on the grid, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cakes have risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool.
Raise the EGG temperature to 400°F/204°C, place the 1 cup coconut shavings in a pie pan, taking care not to break them up, and place on the grill for 5 minutes (keep an eye on them), until the shavings are browned and toasty.
Icing Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- ⅓ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 egg whites
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Icing Instructions
To prepare the icing, boil the sugar, water, and cream of tartar in a small saucepan until it reaches 242°F/116°C on a candy thermometer. Cover and remove from the heat. Beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until very stiff peaks form, then slowly pour the hot syrup into the egg whites while still blending. Add the vanilla and blend until smooth.
To assemble, place 1 cake layer on a cake plate and ice, then sprinkle some grated smoked coconut on top of the cake. Add the second layer of cake and cover with icing. Then place the toasted shaved coconut all around and on top of the cake. The cake will keep for 3 to 4 days.
Serves 10 to 12