Speckled Egg Easter Cake

I'm not usually a baker, but I made this Easter masterpiece upon the request of my sister.  It took a long time, but it was definitely worth it and made a nice centerpiece, too. The recipe came from countryliving.com.


Cake
3 c. cake flour, spooned and leveled
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 c. malted milk powder
1 t. kosher salt
1 c. canola oil
1 c. half and half, at room temperature
1 c. sugar
1 t. pure vanilla extract
1 t. pure coconut extract
1 large egg plus 2 large egg whites, at room temperature

Whisk the flour, baking powder, malted milk powder and salt in a bowl.

Whisk together the oil, half and half, sugar, vanilla, coconut extract, and the whole egg in a separate bowl until smooth.

Fold in the flour mixture just until incorporated. 

Beat the egg whites on medium high until stiff peaks form, 1 or 2 minutes.

Fold the egg whites into the batter just until combined.

Lightly grease 3 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds. 

Divide the batter among the pans.

(Layer cake tip:  Make a collar for each pan, wet it and wrap around each layer pan.  It helps to bake the layers flat without the dome that sometimes forms in the middle)

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool in pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes and then invert onto racks to cool completely.

Coconut Butter Cream
1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 c. cream of coconut
6 c. powdered sugar
1 t. pure vanilla extract
pinch of kosher salt
Blue gel food coloring

Beat butter and cream of coconut with mixer on medium until smooth, 1-2 minutes.  Gradually beat in powdered sugar.

Beat in vanilla and salt until combined.

Beat in blue gel food coloring, one drop at a time until desired blue color.

Once the cakes are cooled, place one layer on a cake plate and frost the top with 1 cup of the Buttercream.  Repeat 2 more times.  Frost the sides with remaining coconut cream.


Garnishes
Brown gel food coloring
4 sheets of phyllo dough
Cooking spray
Malted Milk eggs, or other egg shaped speckled candies
(Alternate to phyllo dough nest:  toasted coconut.  I'm going to try that next time!)

Stir together brown food coloring and 2 drops water in a bowl.  Dip the tip of a wide stiff paintbrush or basting brush into the mixture.  Holding the brush away from the cake, gently fling the mixture on the cake (Tip:  Cover all surfaces around the cake to avoid messes!)

Tightly roll 4 sheets of phyllo dough lengthwise and very thinly slice. 

Transfer to a baking sheet, loosely separating the layers.  Spray with cooking spray and toss gently.

Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, 10-12 minutes.  Cool completely.

Spread the phyllo (or toasted coconut if you prefer) next around the base of the cake and make a nest on the top for malted milk egg decorations.  Place other egg candies around the base of the cake.
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c = cup
t = teaspoon