BLACK WALNUT FANCY CAKE

BLACK WALNUT FANCY CAKE
(Missouri State Fair Winner)

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening (like Crisco - not oil)
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups black walnuts (chopped or recipe ready size)
1 (3 oz) can or pkg flaked coconut
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
cream cheese frosting

Preheat oven to 350. Cream together in a large mixing bowl the butter and shortening. Gradually add the sugar, beating until light and fluffy and the sugar is dissolved. Add the egg yolks and beat well. Combine the baking soda and buttermilk and stir until the soda is completely dissolved. Add the flour to the creamed mixture and alternately with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add the vanilla, walnuts and coconut and stir thoroughly. Beat the egg whites in a separate bowl with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form, then fold by hand into the batter. Pour the batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch cake pans and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and finish cooling. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting and sprinkle top of cake with black walnut meats.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 (3 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
6 3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream the butter and cream cheese together then add the powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat until thoroughly incorporated.