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German Chocolate Cake Recipe

German Chocolate Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Rich layers of moist German Chocolate Cake reveal a classic dessert beloved by chocolate enthusiasts. Silky coconut-pecan frosting and deep chocolate flavors create an irresistible experience you’ll savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

Cake Ingredients:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Liquid/Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Topping/Filling Ingredients:

  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
  • 1 cup pecans

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F and prepare three 9-inch round cake pans by lightly coating with butter and dusting with flour.
  2. Using an electric mixer, combine softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly.
  3. Gradually fold in flour mixture and buttermilk, alternating between dry ingredients and liquid. Integrate cocoa powder until batter is smooth and consistent.
  4. Evenly distribute cake batter among prepared pans, ensuring balanced filling.
  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating pans midway through cooking time. Test cake doneness by inserting a toothpick into center – it should emerge clean without wet batter.
  6. While cakes cool, prepare coconut-pecan frosting by gently heating condensed milk, butter, and egg yolks in a saucepan, stirring continuously until mixture thickens.
  7. Remove frosting from heat and fold in vanilla extract, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans until well combined.
  8. Once cakes have completely cooled, carefully layer them, spreading generous amounts of coconut-pecan frosting between each layer.
  9. Cover entire cake with remaining frosting, ensuring even coverage on top and sides.
  10. Allow cake to set for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor melding.

Notes

  • Perfectly grease cake pans with butter and flour to ensure smooth cake removal and prevent sticking.
  • Consider using parchment paper rounds at the bottom of pans for extra insurance against cake sticking.
  • Bring eggs and butter to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more evenly mixed batter that rises better.
  • For gluten-free variation, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Sugar: 35 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg