Cream 1 stick butter, shortening and sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time. Mix together buttermilk and soda. Add the flour to the first mixture, mixing alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. Fold in 1 teaspoon vanilla, pecans, coconut and beaten egg whites. Bake in 3 (8-inch) pans at 325° for 40 minutes.

For Icing: Cream together 1 stick butter, cream cheese, 1 teaspoon vanilla and powdered sugar. You can make sour milk with either a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar with milk instead of buttermilk.