Homemade German Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 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

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease two 8 or 9-inch round baking pans and line the bottoms with wax or parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
4. Stir in boiling water until the batter is smooth (it will be thin). Pour the batter into the prepared pans.
5. Bake for 25 – 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

For the German Chocolate Frosting:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and shredded coconut. Let the frosting cool completely before using.

For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

1. Melt butter and stir in cocoa powder until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and evaporated milk, alternating between the two, until the frosting reaches a spreading consistency. Stir in vanilla extract.
2. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.

Cake Assembly:

1. Place one cake round on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting over the top, followed by half of the coconut frosting.
2. Stack the second cake round on top and cover the entire cake with chocolate frosting.
3. Spread the remaining coconut frosting over the top of the cake.

Enjoy your homemade German Chocolate Cake!