To make the meringue cake: Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking or cookie sheet; you can add a dab of butter onto the bottom of the paper to hold it in place. Using a pencil and an overturned bowl or plate as a template, lightly draw an 8-inch circle in the middle of the parchment; set aside.
Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and, using a small, sharp knife scrape the seeds out. Place the superfine sugar in a bowl and add half the vanilla seeds and use your fingers to mix. Place the other half aside to flavor the whipped cream.
In the bowl of a standing mixer using the whip attachment beat the egg whites and the salt on low speed until frothy, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until soft peaks form. Add the vanilla sugar a few tablespoons at a time and beat until the meringue is glossy and holds soft peaks, a total of about 3 minutes. You can stop the mixer once or twice during this time to scrape down the sides (sugar that is not dissolved or combined can cause the meringue to weep later, so be sure it is all mixed in). Add the lemon juice and beat just until combined, about another minute.
Using a spoon or soft spatula, carefully spread the meringue mixture into the marked circle. You don’t need to be overly precise. Use your rubber spatula or spoon to create a slight indent in the center (which will later be filled with whipped cream and fruit), pushing the meringue mixture out away from the center toward the sides.
Place on the middle shelf and bake for 1 1/2 hours, or until the meringue feels crisp and dry on the outside. Turn off the oven (and oven light if on) and keep the meringue in the turned-off oven for about 3 hours to dry out further; it can stay in the oven overnight. (This is a very good idea on a rainy or humid day.)
When totally cool, remove from the oven and carefully remove the cake from the parchment paper. Place on a cake stand or serving plate.
Just before you are ready to serve the cake, using an electric mixer, whip the cream and vanilla seeds in a bowl until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and whip until stiff peaks just form — be careful not to over whip the cream.
Fill in the middle of the meringue cake with the whipped cream and arrange the fruit and toasted coconut, if using, on top. Do not add the cream and fruit to the cake more than 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Cut with a large, sharp knife.

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