1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups black or English walnuts, chopped
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
8 ounce package cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Walnuts and toasted coconut, for garnish, optional
Cream butter with the sugar and egg yolks until light and fluffy.
Combine buttermilk and baking soda, stirring until soda is dissolved.
Add flour to creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk.
Add vanilla, walnuts and coconut.
Beat the egg whites until frothy; add the cream of tartar. Beat until stiff. Fold into the batter.
Grease and flour one 10 inch Bundt cake pan. Turn batter into the pan, smoothing top evenly.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until the cake tests done. (A wooden skewer inserted inthe center should come out clean.)
Cool on a rack. Loosen edges. Remove from pan.
To make the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese until blended. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla.
Spread frosting over the cooled cake. Decorate with walnuts and toasted coconut, if desired.