Here is a recipe for a coconut cake with a raspberry filling and flaked coconut frosting. Ingredients 2 large eggs, Whole Foods 365 brand (.50 cents) 2 large egg whites, Whole Foods 365 brand (.50 cents) 1 3/4 cups flour Whole Foods All Purpose flour brand (.63 cents) 2 teasp baking powder, Rumford brand (.06 cents) 1/2 teasp salt, Morton’s brand (.02 cents) 3/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces, Whole Foods 365 brand (.63 cents) 1 1/3 cups white sugar, C&H brand (.40 cents) 1 1/2 teasp vanilla extract, McCormick brand (.69 cents) 3/4 cup full fat coconut milk, Whole Foods 365 brand (.80 cents) 3/4 cup raspberry jam, Whole Foods 365 brand ($1.00) 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut, Whole Foods 365 brand (.30 cents) For The Frosting Ingredients 2 cups powdered sugar, C&H brand (.84 cents) 2 tablesp butter, softened, Whole Foods 365 brand (.13 cents) 1/2 teasp vanilla extract, McCormick brand (.23 cents) 2-3 tablesp whole milk, Whole Foods 365 brand (.06 cents) 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut, Whole Foods 365 brand (.60 cents) Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two �" 9 inch x 1 1/2 inch (23 x 3.75 cm) cake pans, and then line the bottoms with parchment paper (or spray with non stick spray). Sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Set aside. In bowl of electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until soft (about 1-2 minutes). Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition; add the egg whites and mix well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and coconut milk, in three parts; in other words, add one third of the flour, mix gently by hand with a spatula just until it is mixed in, and then add half of the coconut milk, mixing until just combined. Add half of the remaining flour, mix by hand until just mixed in, and add the other half of the coconut milk, mixing until just combined. Add the other half of the remaining flour, mixing by hand until just mixed in. Always mix gently, and do not over mix. Divide the batter and pour into the prepared pans, smoothing the surface with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in center. Place the cakes on a wire rack to cool, in their pans, for about 10 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto a greased rack. To prevent splitting, re-invert cakes so that tops are right side up. Cool completely. Cut each cake in half. Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread with about 1/3 of the raspberry jam and sprinkle with about 1 - 2 tablespoons of coconut, or enough to lightly cover the entire surface of the cake. Continue with the next layers, stacking and filling with the jam and coconut. Set aside when done. You will be making the frosting next. For The Frosting In a mixing bowl add the powdered sugar, butter and vanilla. Turn the mixer on medium low and slowly add the whole milk until you reach the consistency desired. Increase the speed to medium and continue to beat until fluffy.

Here's a variation of the Texas & Chocolate sheet cakes: the cinnamon makes it "Mexican". I found this in the Houston Chronicle in the early '80s & have made it since, & always get raves for it (though some people think it is brownies because it's so thin.) Great for a crowd potluck. This recipe is so easy - I can make & frost it in 50 minutes. I don't even clean the saucepan from the cake melting - just leave it for the frosting. I have always used the unsweetened chocolate -haven't tried the cocoa. Notice that the cake ingredients don't need to be sifted. It's even better the second day - the flavors have time to mellow. MEXICAN CHOCOLATE CAKE 1 stick (1/2 c.) butter 1/2 c. vegetable oil 2 squares unsweetened chocolate OR 4 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa 1 c. water 2 c. unsifted all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 3/4 c. sugar 1/2 c. sour milk (place 1/2 tsp. vinegar in 1/2 c. milk) 2 eggs, beaten 3/4 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter, oil, chocolate and water in a saucepan and heat until chocolate is melted. Combine flour, baking soda, sugar, milk, eggs, cinnamon and vanilla in large bowl; then combine with first mixture. Pour into a greased 12x18-inch cake pan (I use a 12x15-inch cushionaire-type jelly roll pan). Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until cake tests done. Bake on middle rack. Five minutes before cake is done, prepare: MEXICAN CHOCOLATE ICING: 1 stick butter 2 squares unsweetened chocolate 6 Tbsp. milk 1 (1 lb.) pkg. confectioners' sugar, sifted 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 c. chopped pecans Combine butter, chocolate and milk in a saucepan and heat until bubbles form around the edge. Remove from heat, add confectioners' sugar, vanilla and pecans; beat. Ice cake while still warm. Frosting is not stiff.

Much easier to do it right here on the forum...cheaper and the recipes are open to everyone.

I reckon you could prepare this batter ahead - but I haven't tried it. Drop Doughnuts 1/4 cup butter 1 cup sugar 2 egg yolks, beaten 1 egg, beaten 4 cup unbleached flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup buttermilk OR sour milk icing sugar Cream the butter and sugar. Stir in egg yolks and whole egg; blend. In a separate bowl, sift all dry ingredients except the icing sugar; add to creamed mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Stir to mix all ingredients. Drop spoonfuls of dough into 180C deep fat. Fry a few at a time, to keep fat temperature constant. Turn to brown on all sides. Drain on paper towels; sprinkle with icing sugar. I have made the following recipe a few times. I reckon it would be possible to cut out the dough, then store in the fridge between sheets of plastic wrap. Doughnuts 500g self raising flour 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 60g butter 60g sugar 2 eggs about 80ml milk castor sugar 1 lemon Sift flour, salt and nutmeg, rub in butter, add sugar, then well beaten eggs, and sufficient milk to mix into a soft dough. Turn onto a floured board, roll out 1cm thick, cut into rings with a doughnut cutter or 2 cutters, deep-fry till doughnuts are a golden brown, sprinkle with castor sugar and serve hot with slices of lemon. Makes about 15 doughnuts. Orange Doughnuts (ditto above with refrigerating the rounds) 1 3/4 cups self raising flour 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 dessertspoon butter 3 tablespoons sugar grated rind 1 large orange 1 egg, beaten 3 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons orange juice Sift flour, nutmeg, and salt into a bowl, add butter, sugar and orange rind. Combine the egg, milk and orange juice, and add to dry ingredients. Knead lightly and roll out to 1cm thick. Cut into rounds with a large cutter to form rings. Fry in deep, very hot fat or oil until golden brown. Drain on paper, sprinkle with sugar. And another nice and easy recipe just to make your choices more difficult!! These won't have the holes in the middle, though. Easy Doughnuts 1 1/2 cups flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 2/3 cup milk 2 tablespoons castor icing sugar Sift dry ingredients together and add egg and milk. Batter will be thick. If too thin add a little more flour. Drop by spoonfuls into deep hot fat and cook till browned. Drain off excess fat and roll in sugar. Muffins that Taste Like Doughnuts 1 3/4 cups plain flour 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/3 cup oil 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg 3/4 cup milk Topping: 1/2 cup melted butter 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon Reheat over to 180C and prepare large muffin pans. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. In another bowl combine thoroughly oil, sugar, egg and milk. Add to dry mixture and stir to just combine. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove muffins immediately while hot, dip in melted butter then combined sugar and cinnamon. Makes 8-9 large muffins. Variation: Fill pans 1/2 full, put 1 teaspoon jam on top of each and top with the rest of the batter.