Honor: Coconut Cake with Coconut Creme Filling and Cream Cheese Buttercream

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 8 ounces (2 sticks butter), at room temperature
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 7 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut, for garnish
• 1 cup cake flour
• 8 ounces butter, semi-soft
• Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Coconut Creme Filling, recipe follows
• 1 tablespoon coconut extract
• 2 cups sugar
• 14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut
• 2 egg whites
• 5 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cold
• 2 whole eggs