German Chocolate Cake

This is our family's favorite birthday cake. The fudge cake recipe came from my good friend and college roommate, Joanne. It is not your fancy layered German chocolate cake; as it is baked in a 13x9-inch pan. Grease the pan well; as has a tendency to stick. When cutting the slices; I run the knife under hot water to keep the icing from sticking; rinsing after each cut. To store cake cover with saran wrap and store in cool place or refrigerator. I have made high altitude adjustments in parentheses.

Ingredients for Fudge Cake:
2 cups sugar (decrease by 1 tablespoon per cup)
2 cups flour (increase 1 tablespoon per cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup shortening
3 tablespoons powdered unsweetened cocoa
1 cup water (increase liquid by 1 tablespoon)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda (decrease by 1/8th)
Directions for cake:
Sift flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
In a medium saucepan; heat butter, shortening, cocoa and water over medium heat until melted and hot.
Pour mixture over the dry ingredients and combine until smooth.
Beat eggs, vanilla, buttermilk and soda. Add to the chocolate ingredients and beat by hand until thoroughly mixed.
Pour batter into a well-greased 13x9-inch baking pan.
Bake at 350-degree oven (increase 5-degrees) for 30-35 minutes (maybe less time if oven temperature is increase); testing middle with a toothpick.
Set aside on rack until completely cooled.

Ingredients for German Chocolate Cake Icing:
5 ounces evaporated milk
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 slightly beaten egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut (to sweeten unsweetened coconut: dissolve 4 teaspoons sugar in 1/4 cup hot water per cup of shredded coconut. Mix with coconut.
1/2 cup chopped pecans



Directions for Icing:
In a medium saucepan combine evaporated milk, sugar, butter and egg. Cook over medium heat until hot, bubbling and thickening. Stir constantly. Remove from heat.
Add vanilla, coconut and pecans.
Allow to cool completely and spread evenly over the cake.