German Chocolate Bundt Cake

 

Did you know November 15th is National Bundt Day?  Any holiday that celebrates bundt cakes is alright in my books.   Serendipitously I recently bought Martha Stewart's latest tome, Martha Stewart's Cake Perfection, and the first recipe I wanted to make was the German Chocolate Bundt Cake.  From the shiny ganache frosting to the decadent coconut pecan filling it was just screaming, "Make Me!"  It was also the perfect excuse (as if I needed one) to buy Nordicware Fleur De Lis Bundt pan.

I diverted slightly from the recipe by using buttermilk, instead of whole milk and white vinegar, because that's what I had on hand and I think it makes for a moister crumb.  The best part of the cake is really the coconut pecan filling; it is absolutely delicious and not too sweet.  I couldn't help but sneak samples of it as I was making the cake batter.  One tip: the instructions say to fill the cake pan with all the batter and then dollop the filling on top,  but I  found the filling didn't sink to the bottom of the pan as the instructions stated.  Next time I'll spread half the cake batter, then add the filling and finally the remaining cake batter.   

The cake baked up beautifully and tasted fantastic.  I can't think of a better way to celebrate National Bundt Day!

German Chocolate Bundt Cake

Cake

1 cup pecans

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan  

2 cups plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 1/4 cups unsweetened finely shredded coconut
1 cup sweetened cream of coconut, (not coconut cream!)
3/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
3 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla paste or extract
5 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly 

Ganache

5 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)

2/3 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; toast until darkened slightly and fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool slightly, then finely chop.

 

Brush a 10-to-15-cup Bundt pan with butter; dust with flour, tapping out excess. In a saucepan, stir together shredded coconut, cream of coconut, and 2 tablespoons flour. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and boil 30 seconds. Remove from heat, stir in pecans, and let cool completely. Meanwhile, stir together milk and vinegar; let stand until curdled, about 5 minutes.

 

In a bowl, whisk together remaining 2 cups flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter with sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low and beat in flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk mixture, and beginning and ending with flour, just until combined. Beat in chocolate.

 

Pour batter into prepared pan, and smooth top with a spatula. Spoon coconut mixture evenly on top of batter in a ring, leaving an approximately 1/2-inch border all around sides and center. (It will sink down into the batter as the cake bakes.)

 

Bake until a wooden skewer inserted in center of cake layer comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 20 minutes. Invert cake onto rack; let cool completely.

Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream to a simmer. Pour over chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Gently stir until smooth (don't whisk or vigorously stir, which can create air bubbles in finished glaze).

Let stand until thickened slightly but still warm and thin enough to pour, about 5 minutes. Pour evenly over top of cake; let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a cake stand or plate; slice and serve, or loosely tent with foil and store at room temperature up to 2 days.