The Lane Cake

Ingredients

• CAKE LAYERS:
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups butter, softened
• 8 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 3 cups all-purpose soft-wheat flour (such as White Lily)
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Shortening
• PEACH FILLING:
• Boiling water
• 8 ounces dried peach halves
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 8 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• PEACH SCHNAPPS FROSTING:
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup peach schnapps
• 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon table sa

  How to Make It

  1. Prepare Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°. Beat first 2 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add 8 egg whites, 2 at a time, beating well after each addition.
     
  2. Sift together flour and baking powder; gradually add to butter mixture alternately with 1 cup water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract. Spoon batter into 4 greased (with shortening) and floured 9-inch round shiny cake pans (about 1 3/4 cups batter in each pan).
     
  3. Bake at 350° for 14 to 16 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).
     
  4. Prepare Filling: Pour boiling water to cover over dried peach halves in a medium bowl; let stand 30 minutes. Drain well, and cut into 1/4-inch pieces. (After plumping and dicing, you should have about 2 cups peaches.)
     
  Whisk together melted butter and next 2 ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat, and stir in diced peaches, coconut, and next 3 ingredients. Cool completely (about 30 minutes).
  6. Spread filling between cake layers (a little over 1 cup per layer). Cover cake with plastic wrap, and chill 12 hours.
     
  7. Prepare Frosting: Pour water to a depth of 1 1/2 inches into a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Whisk together 2 egg whites, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and next 3 ingredients in a heatproof bowl; place bowl over boiling water. Beat egg white mixture at medium-high speed with a handheld electric mixer 12 to 15 minutes or until stiff glossy peaks form and frosting is spreading consistency. Remove from heat, and spread immediately over top and sides of cake.
     
    
   
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