I don't claim to be a great cook or to have any original recipes. I love collecting new and interesting recipes and I especially love all my old favorites that I have used over the years. Many recipes are from family and friends and I love them because every time I use them I am reminded of that person and/or some great memories that are attached. I am using this format to begin to put all my recipes in one place. I have attempted this in many different ways but none have been very successful. I am hoping that this will do the trick. Right now for recipes I reference a few different cookbooks, a small 3x5 card box, and a large plastic tub with loose papers. Not a great system. This is my new leaf. Ideally, every day I can put at least one of my recipes into this blog. This will make it so easy and quick for me to refer to and also to share my favorites with friends and family who ask for recipes.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Coconut Pecan Frosting and Filling

4 eggs yolks
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c sugar
3/4 c butter
2 2/3 c coconut flakes
1 1/2 c chopped pecans

Beat egg yolks, milk and vanilla in large saucepan with wire whisk until well blended.
Add sugar and butter;
Cook on medium heat 12 minutes or until thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly
Remove from heat
Add coconut and nuts,
Cool to desired spreading consistency.

Makes about 4 1/2 cups. Enough to frost top and sides of 3 8 or 9 inch cake layers, tops of 2 13x9 inch cakes or 36 cupcakes.

-Kacie Sanders

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Sweet German Chocolate Cake

1 pkg. (4oz.)Bakers German Sweet Chocolate
1/2 c. water
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 c (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 c sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla
1 c buttermilk
Coconut Pecan Filling and Frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Cover bottoms of 3 (9 inch) round cake pans with wax paper.
Grease sides of pans
Microwave chocolate and water in large microwavable bowl on High 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute.
Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
Mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside
Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Blend in melted chocolate and the vanilla.
Add flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beating until well blended after each addition.
Beat egg whites in small bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form.
Gently stir into batter.
Pour evenly into prepared pans.
Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean.
Immediately run small metal spatula around cake layers.
Cool in pans15 minutes; remove layers from pans to wire racks. Discard wax paper.
Cool cake layers completely
Spread Coconut Pecan Filling and Frosting between cake layers and onto top of cake.
Substitute: If you don't have buttermilk, just add 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk; let stand 10 minutes

-Kacie Sanders

Note: When Kacie made this for my birthday she used the coconut pecan frosting for the layers and the top and chocolate frosting for the sides of the cake. Perfect!