Hershey's German Chocolate Cake

Hershey's famous German chocolate cake recipe complete with a homemade coconut pecan frosting.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk*

Coconut Pecan Frosting:
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
3 large egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups MOUNDS Sweetened Coconut Flakes
1 cup chopped pecans

Pecan halves (optional garnish)

Cooking Directions:

1. For Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round baking pans.
2. Stir together cocoa and water in small bowl until smooth; set aside.
3. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with chocolate mixture and buttermilk, beating just enough to blend. Pour batter into prepared pans.
5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
6. Prepare Coconut Pecan Frosting; spread between layers and over top.
7. For Coconut Pecan Frosting: Stir together sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks and butter in medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, coconut and pecans. Cool to room temperature. Makes about 2 2/3 cups frosting.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.

* To sour milk: Use 1 tablespoon white vinegar plus milk to equal 1 cup.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of the Hershey Kitchens, and reprinted with permission of The Hershey Company. © The Hershey Company.