GERMAN SWEET CHOCOLATE CAKE

German Sweet Chocolate Cake image

This is a real treat. My sister and I always enjoy preparing this together.-Patricia Peebles, Springfield, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h20m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup water
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
FROSTING:
1 cup sugar
1-1/3 cups evaporated milk, divided
3 egg yolks, beaten
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1-1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

Line three greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. In a small saucepan, heat chocolate and water over low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from the heat; cool., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in chocolate mixture and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition., In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Transfer to prepared pans. , Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Remove and discard waxed paper., For frosting, in a Dutch oven, combine sugar and 1 cup milk. Bring to a rapid boil over medium heat. Boil for 6-8 minutes or until mixture is thickened and light caramel-colored, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat; gradually whisk in remaining milk. Let stand for 5 minutes to cool slightly, stirring occasionally., Gradually whisk in yolks. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 12-18 minutes or until frosting is slightly thickened and reaches 175°. (Frosting is done when a whisk pulled through the mixture exposes the bottom of the pan for a few seconds.) Remove from the heat; stir in butter until melted. Stir in coconut, pecans and vanilla. Cool to room temperature., Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with a third of the frosting. Repeat layers twice. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 553 calories, Fat 31g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 145mg cholesterol, Sodium 395mg sodium, Carbohydrate 66g carbohydrate (46g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 7g protein.