German Chocolate Cake

For The Cake:

4 oz. Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate
1/2 c. water
4 eggs, separated
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. butter, softened
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. buttermilk

 

Preheat oven to 350f. Cover bottoms of three 9″ round cake pans with wax paper and grease the sides of the pan. Set aside.

Microwave chocolate and water in large microwaveable bowl for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

Beat egg whites in small bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Set aside. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating until well blended after each addition.

Add egg whites and stir gently until well blended. Pour evenly into prepared pans.

Bake 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Immediately run small spatula around cakes in pans. Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

 

For The Coconut-Pecan Frosting:

4 egg yolks
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter or margarine
1 7-oz. pkg. flake coconut (about 2-2/3 cups)
1-1/2 c. chopped pecans

 

Beat egg yolks, evaporated milk and vanilla in large saucepan with wire whisk until well blended. Add sugar and butter and cook on medium heat 12 minutes, or until thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Add coconut and pecans. Mix well. Cool to room temperature and of desired spreading consistency.

 

To Assemble The Cake:

Place first cake layer on your serving platter. Spread with a thin layer of frosting. Repeat with remaining 2 layers of cake. Then frost the sides. You will need to be conservative to cover all of this area. Alternatively, you can eliminate the frosting on the sides, and only frost the layers and top.