German Chocolate Cake – Lashell Collins

Marina Kelly, the heroine in Where There's Smoke is a specialty baker of sorts, and she makes a scrumptious German Chocolate Cake for her father's birthday in the book. Despite its name, German Chocolate Cake is actually an American invention, and this recipe comes from CountryLiving.com

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German Chocolate Cake Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup(s) boiling water

4 ounce(s) German's Chocolate, coarsely chopped

2 cup(s) all-purpose flour

1/4 cup(s) cocoa

1 teaspoon(s) baking soda

1 teaspoon(s) salt

2 cup(s) sugar

1 cup(s) (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

4 large eggs, separated

1 teaspoon(s) vanilla

1 cup(s) buttermilk

Make batter: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flower two 9 inch cake pans. Tap out any excess. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, pour boiling water over German's Chocolate. Stir until smooth and set aside. In another medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, using a mixer set on medium-high speed, beat sugar and butter until very light, 1 to 2 minutes. Add egg yolks, one at a time, until well incorporated. Reduce mixer speed to low and add chocolate mixture and vanilla. Add flour mixture by thirds, alternating with buttermilk and ending with dry ingredients. Thoroughly clean mixer beaters. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks. Use a rubber spatula to gently stir a half cup beaten whites into batter. Fold remaining whites into batter.

Bake cake: Divide batter equally between pans and spread evenly. Bake on middle rack of oven until a toothpick inserted in center of each cake layer comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Use a knife to loosen cake from sides of pan and invert onto wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, carefully slice each layer into two separate layers.

Finish cake: Place 1 layer on a cake plate and top with small amount of coconut-pecan frosting. Repeat with second, third and fourth layers and remaining frosting. Serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature.

COCONUT-PECAN FROSTING

1 cup(s) sugar

1 can(s) (12-ounce) evaporated milk

½ cup(s) unsalted butter

3 large egg yolks

1 teaspoon(s) vanilla

2 1/3 cup(s) (one 7-ounce package) flaked coconut

1 ½ cup(s) chopped pecans

Directions: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, milk, butter, egg yolks, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in coconut and pecans. Transfer to a bowl and, stirring occasionally, allow to cool to room temperature before frosting cake.

The Kelly Family is back, and this time, they've got a score to settle!

After years of dealing with his cheating ex-girlfriend's betrayal, Detective Levi Hawks has found love again with Marina Kelly, something he never truly believed would happen for him. And when an unexpected foe rises from the past and begins to threaten her entire family, Levi will do anything to find the culprits and bring them to justice. But what happens when his own past comes calling? Will Levi hold tight to the woman who picked up the pieces and brought joy back into his life, or will he make the mistake of going back to the woman who broke his heart to begin with?

Where There's Smoke features all the Kellys you met in the first 4 novellas (Ethan, Storm, Frankie & Marina), bringing them all together to solve a case that threatens each of their lives. Get to know the family a little better in this first full-length Kelly Family novel!

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lashellcollins.com