German Chocolate Cake
["1 (4 oz.) pkg. sweet baking chocolate", "1/2 c. water", "1 tsp. vanilla extract", "1 c. shortening", "2 c. sugar", "4 eggs, separated", "2 1/2 c. sifted cake flour", "1 tsp. soda", "Pinch salt", "1 c. buttermilk", "Coconut-Pecan Frosting"]
["Combine chocolate and water; bring to a boil, and stir until chocolate melts. Cool; stir in vanilla and set aside. Cream shortening; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate mixture; beat until blended. Combine flour, soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans. Bake at 350\u00b0 for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely. Spread coconut-pecan frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with pecans, if desired."]
["sweet baking chocolate", "water", "vanilla extract", "shortening", "sugar", "eggs", "cake flour", "soda", "salt", "buttermilk", "Coconut-Pecan Frosting"]