German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar  
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

For the Coconut-Pecan Filling:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

For the Chocolate Ganache Frosting:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Make the Cake:

1. Preheat oven: to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. 4. Alternate wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.  
4. Add nuts: Stir in pecans.
5. Bake: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool: Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto wire racks to cool completely.

Make the Coconut-Pecan Filling:

1. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
2. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and milk until smooth.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in coconut and pecans.
4. Cool: Let filling cool slightly before spreading between cake layers.

Make the Chocolate Ganache Frosting:

1. Heat cream: In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
2. Combine chocolate and cream: Pour hot cream over chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Let sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
3. Cool slightly: Let ganache cool slightly before frosting the cake.

Assemble the Cake:

1. Place one layer: Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate.
2. Spread filling: Spread a layer of coconut-pecan filling over the cake layer.
3. Top with second layer: Top with the second cake layer.
4. Frost cake: Frost the top and sides of the cake with chocolate ganache frosting.

Enjoy your delicious German Chocolate Cake!