1 (4 oz) package german sweet chocolate
1/2 cup water
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
COCONUT-PECAN FROSTING
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
in a saucepan over low heat, stir chocolate and water until chocolate is melted. cool. in a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. add chocolate mixture and vanilla; mix well. combine flour, baking soda and salt; add alternately with buttermilk to creamed mixture. in another mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. fold into batter. line a greased 13x9x2″ baking pan with waxed paper. spread batter evenly in pan. bake at 350 degrees 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. cool in pan for 10 minutes. invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. remove waxed paper.
FOR FROSTING: combine milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter and vanilla in a saucepan. cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. remove from heat. stir in coconut and pecans. beat until frosting is cool and reaches desired spreading consistency. please cake a serving platter. spread frosting over top and sides.
12-15 servings