Prepare the cake layers first. Preheat oven to 350F/177C. Line three, 8-inch baking pans with parchment paper and spray sides with baking spray. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar for 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Then add in the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix again until creamy. Prepare the coffee: dissolve the 3 tablespoons of granules in 1/3 cup water, then add to the batter along with the melted chocolate. Whisk again for a minute until the mixture is smooth. Add the milk but don't mix it in yet.

In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder. Mix together, then sift into the cake batter to get rid of any clumps. Using a hand whisk, mix the flour into the batter just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix the batter! Divide the cake batter between the prepared baking pans. Bake the layers in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 15 minutes, then remove onto a wire rack to cool completely.

While the cake layers are cooling, prepare the coconut pecan filling. Place all 3 cups of the unsweetened coconut into a large saute pan and toast on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, until the flakes are golden. This can also be done using a baking sheet; bake under the broiler for several minutes and toss often. Reserve 1/2 cup of the flakes for garnishing the cake.

Into a medium-sized saucepan, add the butter and melt it over medium heat. To the melted butter, add the evaporated milk, egg yolks and sugars. Whisk for a minute until smooth. Cook the custard over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, for 10 to 12 minutes, until the custard thickens and holds its shape on the back of a spoon. Do not boil the custard; reduce heat when needed.

Once the custard has thickened, remove it from the heat and add the vanilla and coconut extracts, toasted coconut and chopped pecans. Mix until well combined, then allow the filling to cool completely. Place into the refrigerator to cool faster.

For the buttercream: Soften the butter at room temperature. Butter should still hold its shape and not be melted! Place butter into mixing bowl and whisk on high speed for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Melt chocolate chips in microwave or over a double boiler until smooth. Allow the chocolate to cool slightly, then add it to the frosting, along with the cocoa powder, vanilla and salt. Continue whisking for a few minutes, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl. Add the confectioner's sugar. After its incorporated, turn mixer to high speed and whisk for 3 to 4 minutes, or until frosting is light and fluffy.

To assemble the cake, first trim the layers to make sure they're straight. Transfer several cups of the frosting into a pastry bag; I used Ateco tip #847. Pipe a barrier ring of frosting around the edge of the cake layer, then fill with 1/3 of the coconut pecan filling. Repeat with the next layer, then frost the top and outside of the cake with a crumb coat of the chocolate buttercream. Smooth with an offset spatula, then refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes.

Once the crumb coat has set, add the final layer of buttercream and smooth out. Garnish with toasted coconut on the sides, chocolate ganache and dollops of buttercream along the edge. Add the remaining 1/3 of the filling on top, carefully using a fork.

For the chocolate ganache: combine the chips and cream in a measuring cup and heat in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute; the cream should be hot. Let the mixture stand for a few minutes, then use a whisk to stir until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted. Reheat if the chocolate isn't melted. If the ganache is too thick, add HOT heavy cream. If too thin, add more chocolate chips. Allow the glaze to cool until at room temperature; do not use hot ganache on the cake! Transfer the glaze into a pastry bag and drizzle down sides first, then fill center.

Optional: This cake is very moist but if desired, a syrup can be used to soak the layers. Simply combine 1 cup hot water with 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons coconut extract. Stir the sugar and water until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool, then transfer into a dispenser bottle for soaking the cake layers.