Lots to report from this past weekend-

Let’s start with the cake first even though it was the last thing I did.

My neighbor and I made little nests that were chocolate covered chow mein noodles fashion from a mini muffin tin. Totally cute huh? I decided to put them on top of the cake and plop some Robin’s Egg candies in them. I also bought this edible grass from Target. It was apple flavor & yummy!

here’s the insides:

It was my first time making this 7 minute frosting and I was impressed! It’s incredibly light & fluffy and somewhat guilt free.

The cake was a hit! I had two pieces on Easter night (shhh! don’t tell)
It’s really fluffy and light. It’s like eating coconut clouds.

Coconut Layer Cake

recipe from the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook

Cake:

-1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
-2 cups sugar
-4 large eggs, at room temperature
-1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
-1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
-1 cup milk
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:

-3/4 cup milk
-1/2 cup granulated sugar
-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-1 seven-ounce package sweetened, shredded coconut
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:
-3 egg whites
-1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
-1/2 cup cold water
-1 1/2 cups sugar
-1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

(for the cake)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F Grease and lightly flour three 9 x 2-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with waxed paper.

2. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flours and add in four parts, alternating with the milk and the vanilla extract, beating well after each addition. Divide the batter among the cake pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack.

(for the filling)

1. In a medium-size saucepan, whisk the milk with the sugar and the flour until thoroughly combined. Cook and stir constantly over medium-high heat (about 5 minutes) until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat and add the coconut. Stir in the vanilla extract. Cover and cool to room temperature.

2. When cake has cooled, spread half the filling between the first two layers of cake, then the other half between the second and third layers. The cake should be assembled so it can be iced as soon as the frosting is completed.

(for the frosting)

1. In an electric mixer bowl, combine the egg whites and the vanilla extract and set aside. In a medium-size saucepan over high heat, combine the water with the sugar and the cream of tartar. As mixture begins to bubble at edges, stir once to make sure the sugar is dissolved completely, then let come to a rolling boll (about 2 to 3 minutes) and remove immediately from heat.

2. Now, in a medium-size bowl, on the medium-high speed of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and the vanilla extract with the whisk attachment until foamy, about 1 minute.

3. Without turning off mixer, pour the sugar syrup into the beaten egg whites in a thin, steady stream. Continue beating constantly, on medium-high speed, for about 5 minutes or until stiff peaks form but frosting is still creamy. Frost top and sides of cake immediately. Generously sprinkle top with shredded coconut.

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Also this weekend…..

We worked on our vegetable garden!

We are growing the following tomatoes:
-Sun Gold
-Heartland VFN
-Better Boys

Herbs:
-Sweet Basil
-Thai Basil
-Thyme

It’s the first time I’ve had my own vegetable garden and I am pretty stoked. I really hope it does well! I can’t wait for all of the caprese salads this summer! And maybe I’ll make some Thai Basil Chicken too!

Wish me luck!

While Casey worked on the planting box, I grilled us some sandwiches.

Hot Italian Sausage with Grilled Onions, Eggplant, Zucchini, Provolone, Basil & Mustard. It was a well deserved treat for all the work.

We had Easter dinner at my parents house:

And Cooper celebrated his first Easter! He’s 6 months old now!!!!

He celebrated by making out with his Easter Duck

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I know I did.