Instructions

For the cake:

1. In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.
2. In the bowl of your mixer cream the sugar and shortening add the egg yokes and dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk and vanilla.
3. Beat the egg whites till stiff and fold into the batter with the nuts and coconut.
4. Divide the cake batter between 3, 9" pans, bake at 350º for 30-35 minutes.

For the frosting:

1. Combine the first 4 ingredients in your mixer and blend until smooth, then incorporate the nuts. Spread 1/3 of the frosting on the bottom layer and top with the next cake, repeat and finish with the last 1/3 of frosting.