Chocolate-Coconut Candy Bar Cake 

Candy Bars (below)
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups Gold Medal� all-purpose flour
1 cup almonds
1 cup flaked coconut
Creamy Filling (below)
Candy Bar Cake Frosting (below)

1. Heat oven to 350�F. Grease bottom and side of 3 round pans, 9x1 1/2 inches, with shortening; lightly flour. Make Candy Bars. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; set aside.

2. Beat sugar, butter and shortening in medium bowl on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until fluffy. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition until blended. Beat in vanilla and coconut extract. Mix buttermilk and baking soda in small bowl until baking soda is dissolved. Beat flour alternately with buttermilk mixture into sugar mixture, beating after each addition until smooth. Stir in almonds and coconut. Fold in egg whites. Pour into pans.

3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Fill layers with Creamy Filling. Arrange Candy Bars evenly around edge of cake; cover and freeze at least 2 hours. Spoon Candy Bar Cake Frosting by tablespoonfuls over Candy Bars just until bars are covered. Spread remaining frosting on side and top of cake (thin frosting with additional water if needed to spread easily).

Candy Bars
2 2/3 cups flaked coconut
1 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 tablespoons hot water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients in medium bowl with spoon; divide evenly into 16 pieces. Shape each piece into bar, about 1 1/2 inches long. (Mixture will be sticky; butter hands if desired.) Place bars on waxed paper.

Creamy Filling
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Beat all ingredients in medium bowl on medium speed until smooth.

Candy Bar Cake Frosting
4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup hot water

Mix all ingredients except water in medium bowl with spoon. Stir in hot water until blended; add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until spreadable.

AUTHOR: Charlotte