German Chocolate Cake

Cake recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen

• 2 (55 grams) ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1 cups (240 ml) hot brewed coffee 
• 1 1/3 cups (270 grams) sugar
• 1 1/3 cups + 5 tablespoons (210 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (90 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
• 1 1/3 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoons table salt 
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (115 ml) melted coconut oil
• 1 cups (240 ml) well-shaken buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

Make cake layers: Preheat oven to 300°F. and grease two 8 inch pans.
Finely chop chocolate and in a bowl combine with hot coffee. Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
Into a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs until thickened slightly and lemon colored (about 3 minutes with a standing mixer or 5 minutes with a hand-held mixer). Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until combined well. Add sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined well.
Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a tester inserted in center comes out clean 40-50 minutes.
Cool layers completely in pans on racks. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert layers onto racks. Let layers cool completely. Cake layers may be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature.
Split layers in half with a long bread knife.

Spread coconut-pecan filling between the layers and on top of the cooled cake.

For the coconut-pecan filling

• 1 1/2 c. whipping cream
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 5 egg yolks
• 3/4 c. butter
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 c. toasted, chopped, pecans

Combine cream, sugar, egg yolks, and butter in a medium saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients, and let cool completely.