Sweet Potato Cake with Coconut Filling and Caramel Frosting

Ingredients

• vegetable cooking spray
• All-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3 cups sugar
• 6 large eggs, separated
• 1 1/2 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• Coconut Filling
• Caramel Frosting

Preparation

1. Coat 3 (9-inch) cakepans with cooking spray; dust lightly with flour. Set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Beat in mashed sweet potatoes and next 6 ingredients, adding each ingredient one at a time. Add pecans and 3 cups flour, beating just until blended.
3. Beat egg whites in a separate bowl at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Spoon batter evenly into prepared pans.
4. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove and cool completely on wire racks.
5. Spread Coconut Filling evenly between cake layers. Gradually pour about 1/2 cup Caramel Frosting on top of cake, spreading over top and sides with a small spatula. Place cake in refrigerator, and chill remaining Caramel Frosting 45 minutes. Pour another 1/2 cup Caramel Frosting on cake, spreading over top and sides. Chill cake and frosting 15 minutes. Repeat procedure with remaining frosting, 1/2 cup at a time. Store cake in refrigerator.