German Chocolate Poke Cake

Cake:

1 box dark Chocolate fudge cake mix
1 (3.4 oz) box chocolate fudge instant pudding
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
1 TBS vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1-1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Filling:

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

Ganache:

4 oz German Chocolate, chopped (can use semi-sweet if you want)
4 oz heavy cream

Coconut Pecan Frosting:

1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 large egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped pecan pieces
1-1/2 cups shredded coconut

1.  Preheat oven to 350℉.  Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.

2.  In a stand mixer, combine all the cake ingredients together until fully mixed.  Pour into the prepared pan.

3.  Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center of the cake.  Remove from the oven and poke holes in the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon or skewer.

4.  Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top of the cake and allow it to soak in while the cake cools.

5.  Once the cake has cooled, prepare the ganache by placing the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl and then heating the heavy cream in a small saucepan just until the edges begin to boil.  Pour the hot heavy cream over the chocolate and allow to set for about 4 minutes without stirring.

6.  After the 4 minutes have passed, whisk together the chocolate and heavy cream until a rich chocolate ganache forms, allow the ganache to sit and thicken for 5 to 10 minutes before spreading evenly over the top of the cake.

7.  Prepare the Coconut Pecan Frosting: Combine the evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan. 

8.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thicken, about 12 minutes.  Remove from the heat.

9.  Add the shredded coconut and chopped pecans to the mixture and beat with a hand mixer (or whisk) until cool and spreading consistency.

10.  Spread the Frosting over the top of the ganache covered cake.  Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge.


from Sugar and Soul