Champagne Cake

1 cup egg whites (7 to 8 eggs)
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup salad oil
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoons coconut extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting
1 package vanilla pudding mix
small box instant
1 cup half and half
1 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon brandy OR see below for opt
3 tablespoons champagne
1 teaspoon clear vanilla

Bavarian Cream
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
pinch salt
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 eggs separated
1 1/4 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond or rum extract to taste

Cake

In a large bowl of an electric mixer, let egg white warm to room temperature about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Sift flour with sugar, baking powder and salt into another bowl. Make a well in the center.

Add in order: oil, egg yolks, 1/2 cup water, vanilla and coconut extract. Beat with a spoon until smooth.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, at high speed, beat egg whites with cream of tatar until stiff peaks form when beater is lifted.

With a wire whisk or rubber scraper, using an over and motion, gently fold egg yolks into egg white mixture until just blended.

Pour into two 8-inch round cake pans which have been greased and floured. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. You can split each of these layers to make 4 layers, if desired.

Ice with the following recipe.

Champagne Icing

Mix all ingredients together; beat with mixer until thickened. Split cake and spread between layers and all over cake. Grate pink, chocolate or tinted coconut over top of cake. Refrigerate.

Bavarian Cream - Optional

The day before making cake, or early in the day, in a double boiler combine gelatin, salt, 2 tablespoons sugar. Stir in egg yolks. Then slowly add milk. Cook over boiling water, stirring until moisture coats the spoon. Remove at once.

Refrigerate until slightly thicker than unbeaten egg whites. Beat egg whites until they form moist peaks when the beater is raised. Gradually add 1/4 cup of the sugar, beating until stiff. Fold into yolk mixture along with whipped cream, vanillla. Leave in bowl until ready to use.

Makes 1 cake.