- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare three 8-inch round cake pans. 
- Add coconut oil and sugar to stand mixer and beat on medium-high until incorporated about 1-2 minutes. 
- Add coconut extract to the coconut milk. Now, with the mixer on low, add that milk mixture to the sugar mixture in the stand mixer. 
- Sift together flour and baking powder; add to ingredients in stand mixer slowly. 
- Beat at low speed just until incorporated. Turn mixer off. 
- In a separate bowl, beat egg whites at medium speed until stiff peaks form. 
- Remove mixer bowl from stand mixer and gently fold egg whites into batter. 
- Pour batter into prepared pans. 
- Bake at 350°F for 18-25 minutes or until the center does not appear wet and the cake has pulled slightly away from the sides of the pan. Do not overbake!!! 
- Remove cakes from oven and let rest in pan for about 5 minutes. 
- Turn out cakes onto baking rack and level if necessary. Now drizzle each layer with 2-3 tablespoons of simple syrup. 
- You can decorate immediately or chill cakes until ready to assemble.