Pineapple-Coconut Cake 
Active Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
Yield: 1 cake
Ingredients:
Cake Layers
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
3 large eggs
2/3 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Pineapple Filling
1 (20-oz.) can crushed pineapple
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Frosting
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup sour cream
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
For Assembly
1 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut, toasted
Candied pineapple for garnish
Directions:
Prep the pans:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Set aside.
Make the Cake layers:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix together buttermilk, cream, and extracts. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together sugar and butter until well combined, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time and beat on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add batter to pans:
On low speed, add half the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Add the wet ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. Pour in the last of the dry ingredients; mix until just combined.
Fold in coconut, and divide the batter evenly between cake pans.
Bake and cool:
Bake, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Allow to cool completely in pans before removing and leveling the cake layers by cutting off the domes with a serrated knife. Then cut each layer in half, creating 4 thin layers.
Make the Pineapple Filling:
Combine ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until sugar is dissolved and the mixture thickens into a glossy filling that boils, leaving a trail on the bottom of the pan, for about 10 minutes. Pour into a glass container and chill in the refrigerator.
Make the Frosting:
Beat together cream cheese, butter, and sour cream until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; mix on low until just combined, then beat on medium-high for 3 minutes.
Assemble the Cake:
Place one layer on a cake stand or platter. Spread half of the Pineapple Filling across the surface.
Add another layer and evenly spread a heaping 1/2 cup of the Frosting.
Add another layer and spread the remaining Pineapple Filling. Add the final cake layer and cover the cake all over with the remaining Frosting. Gently sprinkle and press the toasted coconut into the frosting. Garnish with candied pineapple pieces.
Recipe courtesy of Southern Living.com
