1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
5 eggs, separated
2 c. sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 c. Crisco
2 c. flour, sifted
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. pecans, chopped
1 sm. can coconut

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine soda and buttermilk, let stand a few minutes. Beat egg whites until stiff. Cream sugar, butter, and Crisco. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add buttermilk alternately with flour to the creamed mixture. Stir in vanilla. Fold in egg whites gently. Stir in the pecans and coconut. Bake 30 minutes at 325 degrees in three 9 inch pans.

FROSTING (CREAM CHEESE) :

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 stick butter, soft
1 box powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream cheese and butter well. Add vanilla. Beat in sugar a little at a time until of spreading consistency.