1 cup granulated sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 large egg whites
Filling:
8 large egg yolks
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup bourbon
2 cups toasted chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups chopped golden raisins
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
7-Minute Frosting:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons water
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 maraschino cherries for garnish
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray 3 (9-inch) cake pans with baking spray. Set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter at medium speed until creamy. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat at high speed for 5 to 7 minutes, until light and fluffy. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. With mixer on LOW speed, add flour mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat just until combined after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract. In a clean bowl, using a clean whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 2 to 3 minutes. Fold the egg whites into the batter in 3 additions. Evenly spoon the batter into the 3 prepared cake pans. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and let cool completely on wire racks. Make filling. Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and melted butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Continue to whisk until thickened, about 15 minutes. Be careful not to let the heat get too high. You don't want the mixture to boil. Stir in bourbon and vanilla. Stir in pecans, raisins, apricots, and shredded coconut. Spread filling between the layers of the cake, leaving about 1 cup to spread in a 6-inch circle on the top of the cake. To make frosting, combine granulated sugar, cream of tartar, salt, water, and egg whites in a large saucepan. With heat on medium-low, beat with a hand-held electric mixer for 5 to 7 minutes. Stop beating when stiff peaks form. Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla extract. Spread frosting on sides of cake and the edges of the top. Fill in the middle with the remaining filling. Decorate with maraschino cherries.