Easter Party Cake

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 3/4 cups sifted cake flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
5 egg whites, stiffly beaten
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 egg whites
2 drops red food coloring
1/2 cup candy-coated milk chocolate eggs
1 cup flaked coconut
4 drops green food coloring

Cream butter or margarine and shortening. Add 1 cup sugar gradually, beating until mixture resembles whipped cream. Sift flour and baking powder together 3 times; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and almond extract. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites carefully. Pour batter into two greased 8 inch round pans. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool layers on wire racks. To Make Boiled Icing: Place 1 cup sugar, water, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, cream of tartar, 2 egg whites, and red food colouring in top of double boiler. Cook, beating constantly, until frosting is thick and creamy. Frost cake with icing. Make a nest of green coconut on top of cake, and fill nest with candy eggs. Sprinkle a border of coconut around base of cake.

YIELD: 15-20 Servings