For everyone who loves the flavors of the Caribbean, this festive cake has it all. Two layers of coconut-flavored cake are filled with sweet pineapple curd and topped with creamy coconut frosting, chunks of fresh pineapple and toasted coconut.

Makes 16 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 1 1/4 hours

TOTAL TIME: 2 1/2 hours

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

Cake
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour, preferably white whole-wheat (See Ingredient Note)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk or milk
2 tablespoons coconut rum or dark rum
2 teaspoons coconut extract
3 large eggs, separated (reserve 2 yolks for pineapple curd)

Pineapple curd
2 large egg yolks
1 6-ounce can pineapple juice (3/4 cup)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
5 teaspoons cornstarch

Frosting & garnish
12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), at room temperature
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon coconut extract or rum
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups finely diced fresh pineapple, divided
2 tablespoons toasted coconut (see Kitchen Tip)

1. To prepare cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray.
2. Sift cake flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt into a medium bowl. Beat 3/4 cup sugar, honey, oil and melted butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Whisk buttermilk (or milk), rum and coconut extract in a small bowl. With the mixer on low speed, alternately mix the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients into the sugar mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until just combined.
3. Clean and dry the beaters. Beat 3 egg whites in a medium bowl with the electric mixer on medium-high until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whites into the batter in two additions until just combined. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, spreading to the edges.
4. Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 26 to 30 minutes. Cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn out and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
5. To prepare curd: Whisk 2 egg yolks, pineapple juice, 1/4 cup sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thick and beginning to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool completely.
6. To prepare frosting & assemble cake: Beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, extract (or rum) and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
7. Place one cake layer, top-side down, on a cake stand or plate. Spread evenly with the pineapple curd, stopping just short of the edge. Scatter 1/2 cup diced pineapple over the curd. Place the remaining layer, top-side up, on top. Spread the frosting over the top and sides. Decorate the top with the remaining 1 cup pineapple and toasted coconut.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 317 calories; 13 g fat (5 g sat, 4 g mono); 48 mg cholesterol; 45 g carbohydrate; 6 g protein; 1 g fiber; 205 mg sodium; 101 mg potassium.
3 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 3 carbohydrates (other)

TIP: Kitchen Tip: Toast coconut in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat until golden, stirring often, about 5 minutes.

Ingredient Note: White whole-wheat flour, made from a special variety of white wheat, is light in color and flavor but has the same nutritional properties as regular whole wheat. Whole-wheat pastry flour can be used as a substitute here. Both can be found in the natural-foods section of the supermarket or online from King Arthur Flour, bakerscatalogue.com.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Equipment: Two 9-inch round cake pans

I followed this recipe exactly, and the cake turned out to be quite dry and the flavor was too sharp thanks to the whole-wheat flour. The recommended amount of cream cheese was not definitely enough to frost the cake entirely, so I ended up adding whipped cream to the mixture. The flavor overall was not impressive.

Alas, too dry, Sacramento, CA

I thought this was awesome. Fresh-tasting and not at all dry, in my opinion.

Anonymous

My sister and I made this for my mother's birthday. It was wonderfully moist and delicious. We used whole wheat pastry flour (instead of the cake flour) but we happen to like the taste of whole wheat. Otherwise, follow the recipe.

Penelope, Burlington, VT

We made this as one of four cakes for my 50th birthday, and everyone loved it!

Mary Gassmann, Annapolis, MD