Love and a Bite of Brownie

CHOCOLATE EXPLOSION CAKE

Nonstick cooking spray 

1 cup shredded sweetened coconut 

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans 

1 package German chocolate cake mix 

10 bite-size coconut candy bars, chopped, such as Almond Joy 

One 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature 

1/2 cup (1 stick butter), at room temperature 

2 cups confectioners' sugar 

Chocolate Pecan Glaze, recipe follows...

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13-by-9-by-2-inch pan with nonstick spray. 

Mix the coconut and nuts and spread them evenly in the pan. Prepare the cake mix as directed on the box, but use 4 eggs instead of 3...and use MILK in place of water, and add 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir in the chopped candy bars. Pour the batter over the coconut and nuts. Combine the cream cheese, butter and sugar. Randomly drop tablespoons of this mixture on top of the batter; do not spread them. 

Bake until the sides of the cake pull away from the pan, 40 to 50 minutes. Pour the warm Chocolate Pecan Glaze over the cake. Slice and enjoy. 

Chocolate Pecan Glaze: 

1/2 cup (1 stick butter) 

1/4 cup milk (more if a thinner consistency is desired) 

2 tablespoons cocoa powder 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 1/2 to 2 cups confectioners' sugar 

1 cup pecans, chopped

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the butter, milk, cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Once the butter is melted, remove from the heat. Add the sugar and stir until smooth. Stir in the pecans.