Paula Deen is my favorite chef - EVER! If I had to choose another mother, she'd be who I'd pick. This is her son Jamie's favorite birthday cake. I'm posting it here because not only do I want to try it, but I never want to lose it. And if you could see my office, you'd know that if I wrote it down, it would not be found until the day I stopped looking for it. So, here it is, safe and sound for everyone to enjoy.
03Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4 inches above counter, then dropping it flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Cool in pans 5 to 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling racks. Cool completely.
04While cake is baking, prepare filling. Stir together sugar, sour cream, milk, and coconut in a bowl until well blended.
05Remove cake layers from oven and allow cake to remain in pans as you prepare to stack and fill. Remove first layer and invert onto cake plate. Using the wrong end of a wooden spoon, poke holes approximately 1-inch apart until entire cake has been poked. Spread 1/3 of filling mixture on cake layer. Top with second layer, repeat process. Top with last layer and repeat process again. (As I stack layers together I stick them with toothpicks to prevent cake from shifting).
06To prepare the frosting, place sugar, cream of tartar or corn syrup, salt, water, and egg whites in the top of a double boiler. Beat with a hand-held electric mixer for 1 minute. Place pan over boiling water, being sure that boiling water does not touch the bottom of the top pan. (If this happens, it could cause your frosting to become grainy). Beat constantly on high speed with electric mixer for 7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Frost the sides of the cake first, being careful not to get crumbs in the icing. When cake is completely covered, gently cover frosting with coconut.
07Cover loosely and refrigerate for three days (if you can stand it that long!).