Almond Macadamia Coconut Christmas Cake

INGREDIENTS

For the cake:
5 large egg whites
1/2 cup / 120 ml milk
1 tablespoon coconut flavoring
2.5 cups / 300 g cake flour
1 cup ground almonds
1 cups sugar / honey 
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup / 2 sticks / 230 g unsalted butter, room temperature
1.5 cup / 360 ml unsweetened coconut milk

For the cream cheese filling:
1 pack / 250 g cream cheese
0.5 cup / 120 g unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup coconut flakes
1 cups sifted powdered sugar

For the buttercream:
6 egg whites
50 g sugar
150 ml water
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoons coconut flavoring

For the ganache:
170 g white chocolate
5 tablespoons coconut cream

 

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease two 6-inch cake pans 
2. Put the egg whites in a bowl and whisk slightly. Add the ½ cup milk, coconut milk and coconut flavoring and mix thoroughly. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, almonds, baking powder and salt, set aside.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 mins.
5. Add the egg white mixture altering with the flour mixture in 3 additions, scraping down the sides of the bowl and mixing just long enough to incorporate between additions.
6. Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake for about 60 mins or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto cooling racks to cool completely.

1. Whisk the butter on high speed until fluffy. Add the cream cheese and sugar and keep mixing until well combined, mix in the coconut flakes. Set aside.

1. Whisk the egg whites with your stand mixer on medium-high speed. Add the cream of tartar and a pinch of salt. While the egg whites are whisking, start the sugar syrup by bringing the water and 50g sugar to a boil. Once the syrup reaches 230°F / 110°C on a candy thermometer and the egg whites are stiff, pour the syrup into the egg whites while running the mixer on low speed.
2. Increase the speed to medium-high and whisk until glossy, for about 10-15 minutes.
3. The meringue should now be cool to the touch. Cut the butter into cubes and add them one by one with the mixer on medium speed.
4. Add the sifted powdered sugar, then turn the mixer on high speed. The buttercream will start to curdle but don't worry, just keep mixing and it will all come together.
5. After 2-3 minutes the buttercream should be creamy and fluffy. Set aside.
6. GANACHE: melt the chocolate over a double boiler and stir in the coconut cream. Set aside.

1. Put the first layer on your cake stand, fixating it with a dab of buttercream underneath.
2. Spread the coconut cream cheese filling on top and cover with the second layer of cake. 
3.  Let the cake cool for at east 30 minutes in your fridge.
4. Frost the cake with the buttercream and decorate it with shredded coconut and ganache.