Coconut Cream Dream Cake

### Instructions:

**1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Cake Pans:**
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, ensuring they are well-prepared for the cake to come out easily once baked.

**2. Make the Cake:**
In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, shredded coconut, buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until smooth. Pour the batter evenly into your prepared cake pans and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans before removing.

**3. Prepare the Coconut Cream Filling:**
While the cake is cooling, make the coconut cream filling. In a bowl, whisk together the instant coconut cream pudding mix and cold milk. Once the pudding starts to thicken, gently fold in the whipped heavy cream to create a smooth, creamy filling. If you’d like, you can also fold in an additional 1/2 cup of shredded coconut for extra coconut flavor. Chill the mixture in the fridge while you prepare the frosting.

**4. Make the Frosting:**
In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue to mix until the frosting is thick and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix again to combine.

**5. Assemble the Cake:**
Once your cakes have cooled, carefully slice each cake in half horizontally to create four layers. Place one layer of cake on a serving plate, and spread a generous amount of the coconut cream filling over it. Repeat this process, layering the cake and filling until all layers are stacked.

**6. Frost and Garnish:**
Spread the cream cheese frosting over the top and sides of the assembled cake. Top the cake with a generous amount of shredded coconut for added texture and visual appeal. You can also sprinkle extra shredded coconut on the top for a beautiful, tropical finish.

**7. Chill and Serve:**
Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the coconut cream filling to set and the flavors to meld together perfectly. Slice and enjoy this coconutty, creamy delight!

### Why This Cake Is So Special:
The Coconut Cream Dream Cake is the perfect balance of light and rich. The combination of coconut flavor in the cake, the creamy coconut filling, and the smooth cream cheese frosting creates a dessert that’s both indulgent and refreshing. The layers of coconut cream filling make this cake incredibly moist, and the slight tang from the cream cheese frosting adds a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the coconut.

This cake is an ideal dessert for coconut lovers and anyone looking to add a tropical twist to their dessert repertoire. It’s a showstopper for birthdays, celebrations, or just a sweet treat to share with friends and family.

Once you take a bite of this dreamy coconut creation, you’ll understand why it’s called a “dream” cake. It’s the kind of dessert that lingers on your taste buds long after the last bite—and leaves you dreaming about it until the next time you make it.