Recipe: Gluten Free Lemon-Filled Coconut Cake (using GF cake mix)

GLUTEN FREE LEMON-FILLED COCONUT CAKE



FOR THE CAKE:
1 (15 ounce) box Betty Crocker Gluten Free yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup water
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
3 eggs

FOR THE FROSTING:
2 cups gluten-free powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon gluten-free coconut extract, if desired
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

FOR THE FILLING:
1/2 cup lemon curd
1 cup flaked coconut, toasted*

TO MAKE THE CAKE:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 8- or 9-inch round pan with cooking spray (without flour).

In large bowl, beat all cake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter into pan.

Bake 41 to 46 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on cooling rack 10 minutes. Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

TO MAKE THE FROSTING:
In medium bowl, beat powdered sugar and 1/4 cup butter with electric mixer on low speed. Stir in coconut extract and 1 tablespoon milk. Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until frosting is smooth and spreadable.

TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE:
Split cooled cake horizontally to make 2 layers. On cut side of bottom layer, spread lemon curd; top with 1/2 cup of the coconut. Cover with top layer. Frost top and side of cake with frosting. Sprinkle coconut over top of cake. Refrigerate loosely covered.

*To toast coconut, spread in ungreased shallow pan. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.

Makes 1 (8- or 9-inch) cake, 10 servings
Source: Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Cooking by Betty Crocker Editors and Silvana Nardone