German Chocolate Cake 🍰

🧾 Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot water
For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
½ cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
Optional Chocolate Frosting (for sides):
1 cup butter (softened)
3 cups powdered sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
👩‍🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Cake:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour two round cake pans.
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
Slowly stir in hot water (the batter will be thin).
Pour into pans and bake 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cakes cool completely.
2️⃣ Prepare Coconut-Pecan Frosting:
In a saucepan, combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, and butter.
Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until thick (about 10–12 minutes).
Remove from heat, add vanilla, coconut, and pecans.
Let cool until spreadable.
3️⃣ Make Chocolate Frosting (Optional):
Beat butter until creamy.
Add cocoa and powdered sugar gradually.
Add milk and vanilla, beat until smooth.
4️⃣ Assemble the Cake:
Place one cake layer on a plate.
Spread coconut-pecan frosting on top.
Add second layer and frost the top.
Cover sides with chocolate frosting if desired.
✅ Tip: This cake tastes even better the next day because the frosting becomes richer.