German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake

1 pkg German sweet chocolate
1/2 cup water
4 eggs, separated
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cups butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup buttermilk

Heat oven to 350 degrees
Cover bottoms of 3 9 inch round cake pans with waxed paper; spray sides with cooking spray.  Microwave chocolate and water in large bowl in high 1 1/2-2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute.  Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

Beat egg whites in small bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; set aside.  Mix flour, baking soda and salt together.  Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy.  Add egg yolks 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla.  Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating until well blended after each addition.

Add egg whites; stir gently until well blended.  Pour into prepared pans.

Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean.  Immediately run small spatula around cakes in pans.  Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes.  Remove from pans and place on wire racks.  Cool completely.  Spread Coconut-Pecan filling and frosting between cake layers and onto top of cake.