Hands on time : 30 minutes Total Time : 3hr. ,45 minutes (incl.frosting) Makes 12 servings ....................Parchment paper
2 .................(4 ounce) packages sweet chocolate baking bars
2 .................cups all-purpose flour
1 ..................teaspoon baking soda
1/4 ...............teaspoon salt
1 ..................cup butter , softened
2 ..................cups sugar
4 .................large eggs , separated
1 ..................teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ..................cup buttermilk
1) Preheat oven to 350*F . Lightly grease 3 (9-inch) round cake pans ; line bottoms with parchment paper .
2) Microwave chocolate baking bars and 1/2 cup water in a large microwave-safe bowl at high for 1 to 1 -1/2 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth , stirring once halfway through.
3) Combine flour and next 2 ingredients in a medium bowl .
4) Beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy . Add egg yolks , 1 at a time , beating just until blended after each addition . Stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla . Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk , brginning and ending with flour mixture . Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition .
5) Beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks starts to form ; gently fold into batter . Pour batter into prepareted pans .
6) Bake at 350* for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean . Remove from oven and gently run a knife around outer edge of cake layers to loosen from sides of pans . Cool in pans on wire racks for 15 minutes . Remove from pans to wire racks ; discard parchment paper . Cool completely (about 1 hour) Spread Coconut-Pecan Frosting between layers and on top and sides of Cake . Garnish if desired .
...........COCONUT _ PECAN FROSTING :
Hands on time : ... 25 minutes ... Total time :...25 minutes ...Makes about 5 cups
2 ..................cups chopped pecans
1 ..................(12 0unce) can evaporated milk
1 -1/2 ..........cups sugar
1/4 ..............cup butter
6 .................egg yolks , lightly beaten
2 .................cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 -1/2 ..........teaspoon vanilla extract
1) Preheat oven to 350* . Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant , stirring halfway through . Cool completely (about 20 minutes ).
2) Meanwhile , cook evaporated milk , sugar , butter and egg yolks in a heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium heat , stirring constantly , 3 to 4 minutes or until butter melts and dissolves . Cook , stirring constantly , 12 to 14 minutes or until mixture becomes a light caramel color , is bubbling and reaches a pudding-like thickness .
3) Remove pan from heat ; stir in coconut , vanilla and pecans . Transfer mixture to bowl . Let stand , stirring occassionally 45 minutes or until cooled and spreading consistency.
Homemade Goodness and oh so good ... young and old kids will love it .
