Chocolate Dessert #111

This is yet another from my book of 365 Chocolate Desserts, which come conveniently numbered. I suppose that in theory one could go through the entire book in a year, numerically, but wouldn't that be an awful lot of calories to consume in one year? In any event, Sue just had eye surgery, and I felt the need to make this and post about it, so she'll have some inspiration for baking this weekend!

Chocolate Dessert #111:
GERMAN STYLE CHOCOLATE CAKE

1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup hot water
2 tsp vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups flour
1-1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder

In a mixing bowl, beat together the oil, eggs, buttermilk, sugar and cocoa powder until well combined, about 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the hot water and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Stir together the flour, baking soda and baking powder, and stir into the liquid mixture. Beat at high speed for 2 minutes. Pour into 2 layer pans, and bake at 350F for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

This is the frosting recipe the cookbook gave:

COCONUT PECAN FROSTING

1 cup milk
1 cup cream
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 cups confectioners sugar
2 cups coconut
1-1/2 cups chopped pecan pieces

Cook all but the coconut and pecan pieces until the mixture thickens. Stir in the coconut and pecans. Cool the frosting before use.

Note that I made 1/4 this amount, and used it only as a filling between layers, because my gents are not huge fans of either coconut or nuts - indeed, most scoff at both said items! Foolish guys! Anyway, I used buttercream frosting for the top and sides of the assembled cake, and it was delightful. I actually had a small bit of this, and it was great.

Note that the cookbook points out that this is not the cake recipe found on the German Chocolate box, in case any of you use that brand of baking chocolate.

Note that tomorrow is Red Bandana Day over at the Portuguese Water Blog. Check here tomorrow for Thor sporting red, and over there to see all of Fudge and the pack's friends. Last year, there were 75 participants; I can't wait to see all of their friends decked out in their red finery this year!