Italian Cream Cake Recipe

Here is my Italian Cream Cake Recipe.  Enjoy!

Italian Cream Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar (white, granulated)
5 egg yolks
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup coconut (flaked)
1 cup chopped pecans
5 egg whites

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare three 8" or two 9" round pans.
-In a medium bowl beat egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
-In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and shortening.
-Add sugar and beat until fluffy.
-Beat in egg yolks.
-Stir flour and baking soda together.
-Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately into mixture, mixing well after each addition.
-Stir in vanilla, coconut, and pecans.
-Fold in egg whites.
-Pour into prepared pans.
-Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

I frost this with cream cheese icing and sprinkle about 1/2 cup of chopped pecans around the edges.