Homemade German Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

For the Chocolate Cake:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For Coconut and Pecan Frosting:

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

For the Chocolate Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the Cake:

1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Grease two 8 or 9-inch round baking pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
5. Stir in the boiling water (the batter will be very thin).
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pans.
7. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 5 minutes, then invert them onto wire racks to cool completely.

For the German Chocolate Frosting:

1. In a medium saucepan, add brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly for several minutes until the mixture thickens.
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts, and coconut. Allow it to cool completely before using it to layer the cake.

For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

1. Melt the butter and stir in cocoa powder.
2. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating until you reach spreading consistency. Adjust with a small amount of additional milk or extra powdered sugar to reach your desired consistency. Stir in vanilla.

Cake Assembly:

1. Place one of the cake rounds on your serving stand or plate.
2. Smooth a thin layer of chocolate frosting over the cake layer, then spoon half of the coconut frosting on top, spreading it into a smooth layer, leaving about 1/2 inch between the filling and the edge of the cake.
3. Stack the second cake round on top.
4. Smooth chocolate frosting over the entire cake.
5. Spoon the remaining coconut frosting on top of the cake.

Enjoy your delicious homemade German Chocolate Cake!