Coconut-Lemon Cake

Cake:

cooking spray
2-1/2 C. cake flour (not self-rising)
1-1/2 C. sugar
1 T. + 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
1/2 C. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces & softened
1 t. grated lemon zest
1 t. vanilla
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1 C. milk, divided
4 large egg whites

Lemon filling:

1/2 C. sugar
2 T. cornstarch
1/8  t. salt
1/2 C. water
1 large egg yolk
1/4 C. fresh lemon juice
1 T. unsalted butter
1 t. grated lemon zest

Frosting:

3 large egg whites
3/4 C. sugar
3 T. water
1/4 t. cream of tartar
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/4 t. almond extract
3/4 C. sweetened flake coconut

Cake:
Coat two 9" round cake pans with cooking spray; line bottoms with parchment or waxed paper rounds; spray paper. Flour pans.
In a large mixer bowl, on low speed, beat flour, sugar, baking powder & salt. Add butter, zest, vanilla, lemon juice & 3/4 C. milk; beat 2 minutes. Add remaining milk & egg whites; beat 2 more minutes, until blended & smooth. Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350°  for 25-30 minutes, or until pick comes out clean. Cool in pans on racks for 10 minutes; remove to rack, remove paper & cool completely.

Filling:
In a medium saucepan, whisk sugar, cornstarch & salt. Whisk in the water, egg yolk & lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil 1 minute or until thick & glossy. Remove saucepan from heat; whisk in butter & lemon zest until butter is melted & blended. Cover surface directly with waxed paper; let cool to room temperature. Place 1 cake layer on serving plate; spread filling evenly over top of layer; cover with remaining layer.

Frosting:
In a large heat-proof bowl, mix all ingredients except extracts & coconut. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat 1 minute, until well blended & foamy. Place bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. On high speed, beat mixture for 10 minutes. Remove from heat; add extracts. On high speed, beat until stiff, shiny peaks form, 7 minutes. Cover cake with frosting; sprinkle with coconut. Serve, or refrigerate up to 1 day.

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