White Chocolate Almond Coconut Cream Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line 8" square baking pan with parchment paper.

Toast shredded coconut in the oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes, stirring often, to use as a garnish.

Prepare the almond coconut cake: Cream the sugar and yogurt until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Add melted butter, vanilla extract and almond extract and whip well until combined.

In another bowl mix all dry ingredients.

Now, add flour mixture into the wet ingredients and fold in until lump free and smooth.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes until lightly golden.

Let it cool for about 10-15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on a rack.

Prepare the frosting: Place chocolate and coconut milk in a heatproof bowl and let it melt over a pan with simmering water.

In a large bowl mix Mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add melted chocolate and mix until combined.

In another large bowl whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Incorporate powdered sugar and coconut extract.

Gradually incorporate whipped cream into the white chocolate mixture. Fold in the shredded coconut. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Assemble the cake: Divide the sponge cake in 3 layers. Place one cake layer on  fondant covered cake board.

Spread 1/4 cup coconut milk over the cake layer.

Spread evenly with a bit less than a third of frosting. Repeat with the second and third layers of cake.

Spread the remaining frosting on top and sides of the cake.

Sprinkle shredded coconut on the top the cake.

Roll out four panels of fondant, using the string for guidance.

Give the wood-grain effect using swirling motions with the help of fondant tool or a toothpick over cake board and panels.

With paint brush, colour wash the board and panels.

Use a sharp blade to trim each panel to size and gently press up against the side of the cake using edible glue to stick them on, to form a wooden crate.

Gently place the vanilla extract bottle in the middle and fill the area around it with more toasted shredded coconut.