German Chocolate Cheesecake

To make the cheesecake:Preheat oven to 35

Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Wrap the outside and the sides of the pan with aluminum foil.Using a mixer on low speed, beat 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, and cornstarch until creamy (about 3 minutes).

Add remaining cream cheese, 8 ounces at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl after each. On medium speed, beat in remaining 1 cup of sugar and vanilla.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in cream just until blended. Do not overmix.Spoon the batter into the springform pan.

Place pan in a large shallow pan of hot water. Water should come about 1 inch up the sides of the pan.

Bake about 1 & 1/4 hours, unitl the edges are light golden brown and the top is slightly golden tan.

Remove pan from water bath and transfer to a wire rack. cool in pan for 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate about 4 hours.

Place in freezer overnight until ready to assemble the cake.To make the cake:Butter the bottom and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottom of both pans with parchment paper.Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Melt chocolate in water in the microwave and set aside to cool. Beat butter and sugar on medium speed of an electric mixer. The mixture should be light yellow and creamy.

Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each.

Mix in melted chocolate and vanilla. Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk, blending well after each.Beat egg whites and cream of tartar on high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold about a third of the whites into the chocolate batter, then the remaining whites.Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans.

Bake about 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a moist crumb. Cool cakes in pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn onto a cooling rack and peel off paper liners.

Let cakes cool completely, about 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to assemble the cake.To make the frosting:Preheat oven to 35

Spread nuts on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toast until golden, about 5 minutes, tossing a couple of times. Set aside to cool.Toast 1/4 cup of coconut in the same way. Set aside.

Mix sugar and flour in a large saucepan.

Add cream, milk, butter, and vanilla. Stir until well combined. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until thick and golden brown, about 12 minutes.

Remove the cheesecake from freezer and let stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

Place one chocolate cake layer, top side down, on a cake plate.

Spread with some of the frosting.

Remove the springform ring from the cheesecake.

Place cheesecake top side down on the forsted cake layer.

Spread with frosting.Top with remaining chocolate cake layer, top side up, and frost the top of the cake and the sides of only the top cake layer with the remaining frosting.

Sprinkle top with toasted coconut. Refrigerate at least two hours until ready to serve.

Cut cake with a sharp straight-edge knife, not a serrated knife.Leftover cake can be covered and refrigerated, or wrapped and frozen for up to a month.