  | 
                            
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                            Prep Time: 40 Minutes Cook Time: 25 Minutes  | 
                                            Ready In: 65 Minutes Servings: 16  | 
                                         
                                        
                                     
                              | 
                         
                        
                     
                     THIS CAKE was always my mother's special treat for her six children. It's a delectable 'mountain' of cake and fruit, and very moist.  Ingredients: 
                    
                        
                                                1 cup butter, softened  |  
                                                2 cups sugar  |  
                                                4 eggs, separated  |  
                                                3 cups king arthur unbleached all-purpose flour  |  
                                                2 teaspoons baking powder  |  
                                                1 cup milk  |  
                                                1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract  |  
                                                1/2 teaspoon lemon extract  |  
                                                filling:  |  
                                                2 cups sweetened applesauce  |  
                                                3 medium firm bananas, sliced  |  
                                                3 tablespoons lemon juice  |  
                                                frosting:  |  
                                                1 cup sugar  |  
                                                2 egg whites  |  
                                                3 tablespoons water  |  
                                                1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar  |  
                                                1/4 teaspoon salt  |  
                                                1 teaspoon vanilla extract  |  
                                                1/4 cup flaked coconut, toasted  |  
                                                
                     
                    Directions: 
                    
                        
                            
                                1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk. Beat in extracts. Combine flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. 2. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gently fold into batter. Pour into three greased 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. 3. Divide applesauce and spread over two cake layers. Dip bananas in lemon juice; arrange over applesauce. Stack on serving plate with plain layer on top. 4. For frosting, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, egg whites, water, cream of tartar and salt over low heat. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 8-10 minutes. 5. Pour into a large bowl; add vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes. Frost sides and top of cake. Sprinkle with coconut. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 16-20 servings.                              | 
                         
                         
                 |