German Chocolate-Nut Cake

Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes

Ingredients

* 1-1/2  cups  broken pecans
* 3/4  cup  sugar
* 1/3  cup  coarsely chopped sweet baking chocolate
* 1/4  cup  Dutch processed or unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1  tsp.  baking powder
* 1/4  tsp.  baking soda
* 5    eggs
* 1-1/2  tsp.  vanilla
*     Toasted Coconut-Pecan Caramel Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

1. Grease a 9x1-1/2-inch round cake pan; line bottom with waxed paper. Grease waxed paper; set pan aside. In a blender or food processor, combine pecans, sugar, chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda. Cover; blend or process till nuts are ground. Add eggs and vanilla. Blend or process till nearly smooth.

2. Spread nut mixture in the prepared pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 30 minutes or till a toothpick inserted near center of cake comes out clean.

3. Remove from oven. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan; cool completely on wire rack.

4. To serve, cut into 16 wedges. Place 1 wedge on each dessert plate, drizzle with sauce. Place another wedge on top at a different angle. Drizzle with more sauce. Makes 8 servings.

Toasted Coconut-Pecan Caramel Sauce: Spread 1/2 cup flaked coconut and 1/2 cup chopped pecans in a thin layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake the coconut and nuts in a 350 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes or till the coconut is toasted and the nuts are golden brown, stirring once or twice. Remove from oven. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 12.25-ounce jar caramel ice cream topping (room temperature), coconut and pecans. Serve immediately or heat slightly in microwave before serving. Makes about 1-1/2 cups.