Debbi's German Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

4 oz pkg german chocolate
2 c unsifted all-purpose flour
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 c butter room temperature
2 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
1 c mashed potatoes sieved
1/2 c buttermilk
2 1/4 c sugar see note
2 tbsp butter
17 oz evaporated milk
6 egg yolks
1 teas vanilla
3 c pecans
4 1/4 c sweetened coconut
1 pecan
9 round cake pans
1/2 chocolate
1/2 cup water in microwave-safe bowl
3 additions
45 after addition
350 oven
2 cans evaporated milk
2 1/2 cups pecans

Instructions

Place one cake layer on serving plate; spread top with 1 cup frosting. Repeat with remaining layers. Frost sides of cake with 3 cups frosting. Press the remaining chopped pecans around sides of cake. Decorate cake with pecans halves and toasted coconut.