Southern (Manhattan) Coconut Cake with Silk Meringue Buttercream

Seven-minute frosting is just too sweet for my northern tastes, so I have created my own version using one of my favorite airy buttercreams, the Silk Meringue, for this beloved southern cake. The cake itself has wonderful keeping qualities, and if baked a day ahead, the coconut flavor actually intensifies. Although the finished cake stays fresh and moist in the refrigerator for up to one week, it must be eaten at room temperature to have the softest texture and so you can enjoy the light, v