Best German Chocolate Cake Frosting Recipes

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT-PECAN CAJETA FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Melt the 12 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, add the muscovado and granulated sugars and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Add the coffee, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract and continue whisking until smooth and just combined. Add the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is smooth.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Invert the cakes onto the wire rack and let cool at least 1 hour before frosting.
• Make the frosting: Combine the whole milk, coconut milk and goat's milk in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Keep warm while you prepare the caramel.
• Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat and cook without stirring until a deep amber color, 8 to 10 minutes. Slowly and carefully whisk in the warm milk mixture and continue whisking until smooth. Add the vanilla seeds and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is reduced by half and the consistency of a caramel sauce, about 55 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, vanilla extract, salt and rum (if using). Transfer the sauce to a medium bowl and stir in the pecans and shredded coconut. Let the frosting cool to room temperature, stirring it occasionally, before frosting the cake.
• To assemble the cake, slice each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 cake layer on a cake round and spread one-third of the frosting evenly over the top. Repeat to make 3 layers, then top with the remaining cake layer, top-side up.
• Make the ganache: Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan. Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl, add the hot cream and the corn syrup and let sit for 30 seconds. Gently whisk until smooth. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Set the cake on a wire rack placed over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake, letting the excess drip down the sides. Sprinkle the top with toasted coconut and pecans. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before slicing.
• Slice the cake and top with a dollop of Coconut Whipped Cream.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE TEXAS SHEET CAKE WITH COCONUT-PECAN FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray an 11x17-inch sheet pan with cooking spray.
• Place chocolate and water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking until chocolate is almost melted, about 30 seconds longer. Remove from microwave and stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until stiff peaks form.
• Combine sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add egg yolks to the sugar mixture, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla extract.
• Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to sugar-butter mixture alternating with buttermilk, beating batter until well blended after each addition. Add egg whites and stir gently until incorporated. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 28 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.
• While cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. Combine evaporated milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks, and vanilla extract in a large saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in coconut and pecans. Mix the frosting until cooled but still spreadable. Spread on top of cooled cake.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH BUTTERSCOTCH FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare the chocolate by melting it in the top of a double boiler, stirring until it is smooth. Add 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of the butter and stir until it is melted and blended. Add the warm milk and stir until smooth. Set the chocolate aside to cool.
• Line the bottoms only of three 9-inch cake pans with circles of parchment paper, or grease each pan bottom only with solid shortening and dust lightly with flour. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.
• Whip the egg whites until stiff using the wire beater of the mixer. Transfer the beaten whites to a separate bowl and set aside.
• In the mixer bowl, cream the remaining 1 1/2 sticks of butter and the sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the melted, cooled chocolate and the vanilla. Mix well.
• With the mixer on very low, stir in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Do this by adding about a third of the flour and slowly stirring it in completely. Then add about half the buttermilk and stir it in. Continue adding flour and buttermilk in this manner, ending with the flour. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and stir again. With a long-handled spoon or spatula, fold and stir the beaten egg whites into the batter until the batter is smooth with no visible clumps of whites.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Bake on the middle rack of the oven, allowing at least 1/4-inch clearance between the pans and the oven walls. The cake will rise above the pan edges as it bakes but will not spill over and will settle back down as it continues to bake. The cake is done when it begins to pull away from the sides of the pans and springs back to a light touch. Cool the layers in the pans for about 8 minutes.
• Run a knife around the edges of each pan and turn the layers out onto wire racks that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Cool the layers completely before frosting.
• For the frosting: Place the butterscotch morsels in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water or in the top of a double boiler. Stir until melted, then remove from the heat.
• In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese until smooth. Add the butter and confectioner's sugar, and continue mixing. Add the melted butterscotch morsels and the heavy cream and vanilla, and mix until fully combined.
• To assemble the cake: Place one layer on a cake stand and spread with frosting. Frost each layer completely, top and sides, as it is added to the cake.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT PECAN FROSTING

Steps:

• Grease and flour the bottoms of 3 (9") round cake pans, and line with wax paper.
• Melt the chocolate and water in bowl over simmering water. (I don't have a double boiler!).
• Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Sift flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
• Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
• Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in chocolate and vanilla.
• Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
• Beat egg whites with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form.
• Fold into your batter.
• Pour evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes (or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean).
• Immediately run spatula between cakes and sides of pans.
• Cool 15 minutes; remove from pans.
• Remove wax paper and cool completely on wire racks.
• For the frosting:.
• Place milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks and vanilla in large saucepan.
• Stirring constantly, cook on medium heat 12 minutes or until thickened and golden brown.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in coconut and pecans.
• Cool to room temperature and of spreading consistency.
• Spread the coconut-pecan between each of the layers, and then over top and sides of whole cake.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE FROSTING II

Steps:

• In a large saucepan combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, margarine and vanilla. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thick. Remove from heat and stir in pecans and coconut. Spread on cake while still warm.

GARTH BROOK'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT FROSTING

Steps:

• Prepare the chocolate by melting it in the top of a double boiler, stirring until it is smooth. add 1/4 cup of the butter and stir until it is melted and blended. Add 1/4 cup of warm milk and stir until smooth. Set the chocolate aside to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 350*F.
• Line the bottoms only of 3 9" cake pans with circles of parchment paper, or grease each pan bottom only with solid shortening and dust lightly with flour. Sift together the sifted and measured flour, baking soda, and salt.
• Whip the egg whites until stiff using the wire beater of the mixer. Transfer the beaten whites to a separate bowl and set aside.
• In the mixer bowl, cream the remaining 1 1/2 sticks of butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg yoks one at a time, beating well after each addition(Trisha says separated egg yolks will slide easily and individually from a small bowl if the bowl is rinsed with water first). Add the melted, cooled chocolate and the vanilla. Mix well.
• With the mixer on very low, stir in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Do this by adding about a third of the flour and slowly stirring it in completely. Then add about half the buttermilk and stir it inches Continue adding flour and buttermilk in this manner, ending with flour. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and stir again. With a long handled spoon or spatula, fold and stir the beaten egg whites into the batter until the batter is smooth with no visible clumps of whites.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes. Bake on the middle rack of the oven, allowing at least 1/4" clearance between the pans and the oven walls. The cake will rise above the pan edges as it bakes but will not spill over and will settle back down as it continues to bake. The cake is done when it begins to pull away from the sides of the pans and springs back to a light touch. Cool layers in the pans for about 8 minutes.
• Run a knife around the edges of each pan and turn the layers out onto wire racks that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Cool layers completely before frosting.
• To make the frosting:.
• Combine the sugar, egg yolks, and evaporated milk in the top of a double boiler. Stir with a wire whisk until the yolks are fully incorporated. Add the butter. Place over simmering water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 12-15 minutes longer, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Add the vanilla, coconut, and nuts. cool.
• To assemble the cake, place one layer on a cake stand and spread with frosting. Frost each layer completely, top and sides, as it is added to the cake.
• Note:.
• You can also make the frosting in a regular saucepan, but be sure to stir it constantly, as it scorches easily. Also, you MUST use the finely grated fresh or frozen coconut, not canned or shredded, to be able to spread the frosting on the sides of the cake easlily.
• Another note from Trisha's sister, Gwen:.
• Refrigerate the cake after it's frosted. Before serving, touch up any frosting that may have run down the sides.
• Hint: Trisha says if you use a lot of sweet baking chocolate, you can purchase it in bulk online at www.cocoasupply.com. Choose La Equatoriale-Dark Chocolate Coverture. The cost, including postage, is half what you would probaly pay in grocery stores. Share the large bar with your friends who bake. I haven't checked this out, but you might want to.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE FROSTING

Steps:

• In a medium sauce pan combine the first 5 ingredients over medium heat and stir until thickened, around 12-15 min.
• Add the coconut and pecans, beat until thick enough to spread.

THROWDOWN'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT-PECAN-CAJETA FROSTING, CHOCOLATE GANACHE AND COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For the cajeta filling/frosting:
• Bring the milk, coconut milk and goat's milk to a simmer over low heat in a small saucepan. Keep warm while you prepare the caramel.
• Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over high heat and cook (do not stir) until it becomes a deep amber brown color. Slowly whisk in the warm milk mixture and continue whisking until smooth; add the vanilla seeds and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is reduced by half and is the consistency of a caramel sauce, about 55 minutes.
• Once the sauce is reduced, remove from the heat and whisk in the cold butter, vanilla extract, salt and rum and whisk until combined. Transfer the sauce to a medium bowl and stir in the pecans and coconut. Let the frosting cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally before frosting the cake.
• For the ganache:
• Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over low heat. Put the chocolate into a medium bowl, add the hot cream and the corn syrup and let sit for 30 seconds. Gently whisk until smooth. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before pouring over the cake.
• For the chocolate cake:
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter 2 (9-inch) cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
• Melt the 12 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, add the sugars and whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Add the coffee, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract and continue whisking until smooth and just combined. Slowly add the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture until combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the 2 pans and bake on the middle rack until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 42 minutes. Let cool in the pans on a baking rack for 20 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto the baking rack and let cool for at least 1 hour before frosting. Slice each cake in half horizontally. Put 1 cake layer on a cake round or platter and spread 1/3 of the frosting evenly over the top, repeat to make 3 layers and top with the remaining cake layer, top side up. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
• For the coconut whipped cream:
• Combine the heavy cream, coconut milk, sugar, rum and vanilla in a stand mixer and mix until soft peaks form. Slice the cake, top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with some of the toasted coconut.

FROSTING FOR GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the half and half, butter, sugar, yolks and cornstarch. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut and walnuts. Cool to room temperature before frosting cake.

COCONUT PECAN FROSTING 4 GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• 1. In a saucepan mix milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter, salt, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until mixture thickens (about 12 minutes). Remove from heat. Add coconut and pecans. Beat until cool and of spreading consistency. Makes enough to fill and frost one cake.

GERMAN LEBKUCHEN CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• For syrup:
• Using vegetable peeler, remove peel (orange part only) from oranges in strips. Mince enough peel to measure 4 tablespoons. Mix honey, orange juice and 2 tablespoons orange peel (reserve remaining 2 tablespoons peel for cake) in heavy medium saucepan. Boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Set honey syrup aside.
• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch square baking pan with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom with waxed paper. Butter paper. Dust pan with flour. Using electric mixer, beat first 8 ingredients in large bowl until fluffy. Mix in reserved 2 tablespoons minced orange peel. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking soda and baking powder into medium bowl. Mix half and half and lemon juice in small bowl. Beat dry ingredients alternately with half and half mixture into butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix in currants. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. (Cake will not rise to top of pan.) Cool cake 20 minutes. Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack; cool. Peel off paper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover syrup and cake separately and let stand at room temperature.)
• For frosting:
• Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Cool to barely luke warm. Using electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until light. Add chocolate and 1/4 cup honey syrup and beat until smooth and light. Chill until thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Cut cake horizontally in half. Place bottom layer cut side up on platter. Brush with 1/4 cup honey syrup. Spread 1 1/4 cups frosting over. Brush remaining 1/4 cup syrup over cut side of top cake layer. Place cake cut side down atop filled layer. Set aside 2/3 cup frosting for garnish. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Press almonds around sides. Spoon remaining 2/3 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with small star tip. Pipe frosting decoratively around top edge of cake. Chill cake until frosting sets, about 1 hour. Garnish with orange slices. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.)

GERMAN LEBKUCHEN CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• For syrup:
• Using vegetable peeler, remove peel (orange part only) from oranges in strips. Mince enough peel to measure 4 tablespoons. Mix honey, orange juice and 2 tablespoons orange peel (reserve remaining 2 tablespoons peel for cake) in heavy medium saucepan. Boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Set honey syrup aside.
• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F Butter 9-inch square baking pan with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom with waxed paper. Butter paper. Dust pan with flour. Using electric mixer, beat first 8 ingredients in large bowl until fluffy. Mix in reserved 2 tablespoons minced orange peel. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking soda and baking powder into medium bowl. Mix half and half and lemon juice in small bowl. Beat dry ingredients alternately with half and half mixture into butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix in currants. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. (Cake will not rise to top of pan.) Cool cake 20 minutes. Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack; cool. Peel off paper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover syrup and cake separately and let stand at room temperature.)
• For frosting:
• Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Cool to barely luke warm. Using electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until light. Add chocolate and 1/4 cup honey syrup and beat until smooth and light. Chill until thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Cut cake horizontally in half. Place bottom layer cut side up on platter. Brush with 1/4 cup honey syrup. Spread 1 1/4 cups frosting over. Brush remaining 1/4 cup syrup over cut side of top cake layer. Place cake cut side down atop filled layer. Set aside 2/3 cup frosting for garnish. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Press almonds around sides. Spoon remaining 2/3 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with small star tip. Pipe frosting decoratively around top edge of cake. Chill cake until frosting sets, about 1 hour. Garnish with orange slices or orange peel ribbons. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.).

GERMAN CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH COCONUT PECAN FROSTING

Steps:

• Grease two 9-inch layer cake pans and line bottoms with waxed paper.
• Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Cream butter; add flour mixture, 3/4 cup buttermilk, and vanilla. Stir until dry ingredients are moistened; beat at medium speed of electric mixer for 2 minutes, scraping bowl from time to time.
• Add melted chocolate, eggs, and remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk. Beat 1 minute longer.
• Pour batter into prepared cake pans. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool in pans on rack for 15 minutes. Remove and cool completely on racks.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, sugars, butter, and vanilla. Bring to a full boil, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat (mixture might appear a bit curdled).
• Quickly stir a small amount of the hot liquid into the beaten egg yolks; return egg yolk mixture to the hot mixture in saucepan and blend well. Return to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and stir in coconut and pecans. Cool to spreading consistency, beating occasionally.
• Here then i added me own little flair, it's perfect just the way it is, but this adds a little something extra. I chopped up some more pecans somewhat small and pressed them into the sides all the way around. Then i just topped it with some chocolate shavings. Enjoy.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE & COCONUT PECAN FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. In a medium sauce pan mix the evaporated milk, sugar, beaten egg yolks, butter and vanilla.
• 2. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened, about 12 to 15 minutes. Then stir in coconut and pecans.
• 3. Allow to cool until thick enough to spread, beating occassionally. This recipe makes enough to frost the TOPS ONLY OF 3 (9") LAYER CAKES, or tops and sides of 2 layer cakes.
• 4. NOTE IF YOU WANT TO COVER BOTH TOP AND SIDES, MAKE ONE AND A HALF TIMES THE RECIPE . THIS SHOULD GIVE YOU ENOUGH. Or you may opt to do as I did here, to get more serving bake it in a sheet cake pan.
• 5. ALSO NOTE: The frosting you see here is a TRIPLE RECIPE, SO KEEP THAT IN MIND. Recipe given is for ONE RECIPE ONLY.
• 6. Cream butter & sugar in a medium bowl till light and smooth. Beat in egg yolks,one @ a time. Add vanilla and beat on high speed till light & fluffy about 3 minutes. Add chocolate and blend on low speed. Alternating with buttermilk, fold in dry ingredients into butter mixture beginning and ending with dry ingredients. In a large bowl beat the egg whites on high speed till soft peaks form then fold into cake batter. Divide batter evenly among 3 pans and smooth tops. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 30 to 35 minutes, until the cake pulls away from sides of pan, & center springs back when gently pressed. Set on racks and allow to cool. Then frost as directed above.

NON-DAIRY CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH GERMAN CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 10-inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl sift together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, soda, and cocoa.
• In another bowl mix the brown sugar, oil, 1 cup water, maple syrup, applesauce, vinegar, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Cool and frost with Non-Dairy German Chocolate Frosting. To make frosting: scald soy milk, barley malt syrup, and brown rice syrup.
• Mix egg substitute and 1/4 cup water until foamy. Add to milk and syrup mixture and cook until thickened.
• Blend tofu in food processor until smooth and add to thickened syrup mixture with coconut, pecans, and arrowroot. Cook for 2 minutes and remove from heat. Cool.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH EASY COCONUT - PECAN FILLING AND FROSTING

Steps:

• FOR THE CAKE :
• Melt chocolate over low heat and cool.
• Sift flour with sugar,soda,baking powder and salt.
• Soften butter ; Add flour mixture , 3/4 cup buttermilk and vanilla. Mix to dampen flour ; beat for 2 minutes @ medium speed of electric mixer , scraping bowl occasionally.
• Add chocolate , eggs and the remaining 1/4 cup of buttermilk ; Beat 1 minute with mixer.
• Pour into two 9" layer pans , lined on bottom with paper .
• Bake @ 350° for about 35 minutes , or until cake tested with a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool in pans for 15 minutes ; remove from pans and cool on rack....Frost.
• FOR THE COCONUT - PECAN FILLING AND FROSTING :
• Combine milk , sugars , butter and vanilla. Bring to a FULL boil , stirring constantly , Remove from heat ( Mixture may appear curdled ).
• QUICKLY stir small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks ; then stir into hot mixture.
• Return to boil , stirring constantly ; Remove from heat ; Add coconut and pecans.
• Cool to spreading consistency , beating occasionally.

BOBBY FLAY'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT-PECAN CAJETA FROSTING

Steps:

• To bake the cake, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, add the muscovado and granulated sugars, and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Add the coffee, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla, and continue whisking until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the 2 prepared cake pans, and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto the wire rack and let cool for at least 1 hour before frosting.
• To make the frosting, combine the milk, coconut milk, and goat's milk in a small saucepan, and bring to a simmer over low heat. Keep warm while you prepare the caramel.
• Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat, and cook without stirring until a deep amber color, 8 to 10 minutes. Slowly and carefully whisk in the warm milk mixture, and continue whisking until smooth. Add the vanilla seeds and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is reduced by half and has the consistency of a caramel sauce, about 55 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, vanilla extract, salt, and rum (if using). Transfer the sauce to a medium bowl and stir in the pecans and shredded coconut. Let the frosting cool to room temperature, stirring it occasionally, before frosting the cake.
• To assemble the cake, slice each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 cake layer on a cake round, and spread one-third of the frosting evenly over the top. Repeat to make 3 layers, and then top with the remaining cake layer, top side up.
• To make the ganache, bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan. Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl, add the hot cream and the corn syrup, and let sit for 30 seconds. Then gently whisk until smooth. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before pouring over the cake.
• Set the cake on a wire rack placed over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake, letting the excess drip off down the sides. Sprinkle the top with toasted coconut and pecans. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours before slicing.
• Slice the cake, and top each slice with a dollop of Coconut Whipped Cream.
• Combine all the ingredients in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and whisk until soft peaks form.

THE BEST GERMAN SWEET CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH FROSTING

Steps:

• Frosting.
• Prepare coconut: Preheat oven to 350°F Take coconuts and drain milk (drill or tap holes in two of the three "eyes" and drain milk). Place in preheated oven 20 - 30 minutes (or until they crack). Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Take a flat-head screwdriver and pry shell off of meat. Next, taking a vegetable peeler, peel the brown outer layer from coconut. Next, peel a few long strips for garnish and set aside, if desired. Cut coconut into manageable pieces. Shred coconut either by hand or with a food processor, using a fine shredding blade. Place flaked coconut in two bowls, equally (around 3 cups per coconut, a little more or less is okay).
• Mix milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks and vanilla in large saucepan. Cook on medium heat approximately 12 minutes until thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly (just as mixture starts to boil). Remove from heat.
• Add flaked coconut (from ONE coconut) and pecans; mix well. Let sit for 2-3 hours (overnight is okay) to achieve a "raw honey"-like texture. Frost as directed below.
• Note: Reserve the remaining coconut for finishing the cake.
• Cake.
• Line bottoms of 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with wax paper (cut 3 sheets of waxed paper from box; place all 3 on bottom of cake pan; take back side of butter knife and rub around the edge of the pan creating a crease; cut out circles on crease); butter sides of pan.
• Microwave chocolate and water in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after each minute. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Beat egg whites (4) with whisk attachment in mixer until stiff peaks form. Remove to separate bowl.
• In mixer, combine butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in cooled chocolate mixture (if hot, it will "cook" the eggs) and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda and salt. add buttermilk slowly, beating until well blended. Gently fold egg whites into batter.
• Pour evenly into prepared pans, making sure batter is evenly distributed (batter is SLIGHTLY thicker in middle than around sides).
• Bake for 20-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean (do NOT over-bake, as this will result in a dry cake). Immediately run spatula between cakes and sides of pans. Cool 15 minutes; remove cake layers from pans. Remove wax paper. Cool completely on wire racks.
• Take sharp serrated knife and gently go around top of each cake, cutting away excess cake so that it has a flat top. Place one cake UPSIDE DOWN on a 9" cake round.
• Spread coconut-pecan filling and frosting between layers and onto top of cake. Taking your hand, scoop up some frosting and press into side of cake until covered (this is the messy part!). Then take some of the extra coconut and secure the frosting by pressing it into the sides of the cake (you will probably have extra coconut). Pat around cake twice until you receive a nice finished product. Transfer cake (with cake round) onto a pretty round plate, if desired.
• Garnish suggestions: Use whole pecans and coconut on top. Coconut curls may be created by shaving a strip of coconut, cutting it into 1/4" slices then securing it around a straw with butcher's twine (or other type of thick string) until dry.
• Serving Suggestion: Place mini chocolate morsels around cake. Serve with natural vanilla ice cream.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE FROSTING FOR TRADITIONAL 3 LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan place the evaporated milk, sugar, butter, and beaten egg yolks.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• When it starts to bubble and get thick, remove from the heat.
• Add the pecans and coconut and then the vanilla.
• Spread on cooled cake.
• Enjoy!

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE ICING / FROSTING

Steps:

• Bake cake according to package directions. I use 2 round pans to layer it.
• Cut the butter into pieces & set aside.
• In a saucepan, stir the flour and sugar over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
• Add the butter pieces & pour in the milk. Stir well.
• Reduce heat to medium low (usually 3 or 4 on my stove) & allow to come to a rolling boil. Remember to stir every few seconds or it will stick!
• Stir in the coconut & pecans.
• Mix well & remove from the heat.
• Allow to cool for only a minute or so before placing on the cake.