Cafe Latte's Turtle Cake

INGREDIENTS

Unsweetened cocoa powder

egg, lightly beaten

1 cup

buttermilk or sour milk (see note below)

2/3 cup

vegetable oil

2 cups

all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups

sugar

1/2 cup

unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsp

baking soda

1 tsp

salt

1 cup

freshly brewed hot coffee

Chocolate Frosting (see recipe below)

1 1/2 cups

pecan halves, toasted

1/2 cup

purchased caramel ice cream topping*

1 cup

sugar

1/2 cup

milk

6 tbsp

butter, cut up

12 - ounce package semisweet chocolate pieces (2 cups)

1 tsp

freshly brewed hot coffee