Italian Coconut Cake with Frosting - Cook with Carla

Ingredients

• 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs (separate yolks and whites)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temp
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional—skip if you’d rather not)
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans for garnish (optional)