Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Egg Yolks: Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in coconut milk and buko pandan extract until well combined. Add green food coloring if desired for a vibrant green color.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Beat Egg Whites: In another clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Fold in Egg Whites: Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter until no white streaks remain. Be careful not to deflate the mixture.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Icing: In a mixing bowl, beat together softened butter, powdered sugar, and buko pandan extract until smooth and creamy.
Ice the Cake: Once the cake has cooled, spread the icing evenly over the top and sides of the cake using a spatula.
Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle shredded young coconut meat (buko) over the top of the cake for added flavor and texture.
Serve: Slice and serve the buko pandan cake as desired. Enjoy!