Set the oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat the bottoms and sides of three 7-inch round cake pans with butter or vegetable spray. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper or wax paper and coat with vegetable oil spray. Dust the pans with flour and tap the pans to remove the excess flour. Set aside. 

To make the cake: Add the cake flour and salt to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.

Cream the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until soft and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time. Add the raspberry jam and beat to combine.

Combine the vanilla and buttermilk in a glass measuring cup. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the butter­ milk, beating well after each addition. Add the baking soda to the vinegar and fold into the batter.

Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a metal tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Transfer the cakes to wire racks and allow to cool for 20 minutes. Run a smooth butter knife gently around the edges to loosen the cakes. Invert the cakes and remove the liners. Set the cakes right side up on the racks. Let cool completely.

To make the raspberry frosting: Add the confectioners’ sugar, butter, salt, and jam to the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat to combine. Add 1 tablespoon of the water at a time and continue to beat until the frosting comes together. Add more water, one teaspoon at  a time, if needed, to reach the desired consistency. The frosting should be a pale pink.

Carefully slice a thin layer off the top of each  cake to level them, if necessary. Place the bottom layer of cake on a cake round lined with four small pieces of wax paper, and spread the frosting over the top of this cake layer with an offset spatula. Frost only the tops of the bottom and middle layers. Add the third layer and frost the top and the sides of the entire cake. Immediately cover the sides of the cake with shredded coconut. Pipe frosting flowers over the edge of the cake, using a #190 Ateco frosting tip. Place 1 pink candy dot in the center of each flower. Store the cake in the refrigerator. Remove the cake from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving. Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator.

Recipe posted with permission from Baking with the Brass Sisters: Over 125 Recipes for Classic Cakes, Pies, Cookies, Breads, Desserts, and Savories from America's Favorite Home Bakers