Instructions

FILLING

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, sugar, egg yolks and butter and cook over medium heat, and stir constantly until the butter had melted and the mixture thickens and bubbles. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 minutes longer.
2. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla, coconut and pecans. Cool for about 1 hour or until the mixture is spreadable, before using.

CAKE

1. Place an oven rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of 2 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each pan with wax or parchment paper. Grease the bottom of the pan and dust the pans with flour and set aside.
2. Sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
3. Combine the chocolate and boiling water in a bowl and whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth and set aside to cool.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and vanilla extract and set aside.
5. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attached, beat the butter at medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of the sugar and beat on high speed until well blended and fluffy about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the cooled chocolate and mix until blended. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating it with the sour cream mixture in two additions and mixing just until blended. Remove the bowl from the mixer stand and set aside.
6. In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer beat the egg whites at low speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and mix until blended. Increase the speed to medium and beat until the whites are fluffy and begin to form soft peaks. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Increase the speed to high and whip until the whites until they are glossy and smooth and form stiff peaks. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whites into the chocolate batter one-third at a time. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
7. Bake the cakes for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool the cakes in their pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Carefully run a small knife around the edge of each pan to loosen the cake and invert each cake onto a wire rack to cool completely.

FROSTING

1. Put the chocolate in a medium stainless steel bowl and place the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove the bowl from over the pot and set the chocolate aside to cool.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 30 seconds. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat at high speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the cooled chocolate at low speed, mixing until combined and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Increase the speed to high and beat until the frosting is slightly aerated, about 1 minute. Use the frosting immediately or cover tightly and set aside at room temperature for up to 3 hours.

ASSEMBLY

1. Place one of the cake layers upside down on a cake stand or cake round and spread 1 1/2 cups of the filling on top of the cake. Top with the other cake layer (smooth side up).
2. Using a small offset spatula, smooth the frosting on the sides of the cake, filling in any gaps between the layers. Spread the remaining filling on top of the cake. Decorate with remaining frosting to your liking.