Sweet Symphony: The German Chocolate Cake Recipe That Sings

Decadent chocolate layers melt into creamy coconut german chocolate cake recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Rich, velvety chocolate whispers sweet promises of delightful moments.

The cake boasts a legacy of southern charm and culinary elegance.

Soft, tender crumbs promise a dessert that dances between comfort and luxury.

Pecans and coconut frosting create a symphony of textures and flavors.

Each slice tells a story of tradition and passion.

Let’s dive into this irresistible journey of sweet perfection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 11

What’s Inside German Chocolate Cake

• Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cake's tender crumb, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best results..
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor, opt for high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa for deeper color and taste..
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a moist texture, use granulated white sugar for consistent performance..
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light, ensure they're fresh for maximum lift..
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt for even distribution..

• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and creates a tender crumb, look for fresh, full-fat buttermilk for best texture..
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake incredibly moist, choose a neutral-flavored oil like canola or sunflower..
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness, use room temperature large eggs for smooth mixing..
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor complexity, select pure vanilla extract for most authentic taste..
• Boiling Water: Helps dissolve cocoa and creates a lighter cake texture, use freshly boiled water..

• Granulated Sugar: Creates sweet, caramel-like base for frosting, use white granulated sugar..
• Evaporated Milk: Provides creamy, rich consistency, choose full-fat evaporated milk..
• Egg Yolks: Thickens and enriches frosting, select fresh, large eggs..
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture, use unsalted butter for better flavor.

Items You’ll Need For German Chocolate Cake

• Electric mixer: Essential for creating a smooth, well-blended cake batter.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Medium saucepan: Crucial for preparing the rich coconut-pecan frosting.
• 9-inch round cake pans (3): Needed to bake the cake layers evenly.
• Wire rack: Helps cool cakes completely after baking.
• Serving plate: Provides a beautiful base for assembling the cake.
• Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients thoroughly.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading frosting between cake layers.

Simple Instructions For German Chocolate Cake

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen by setting the oven to a cozy 350F. Grab your cake pans and give them a light coating of grease and flour, ensuring no cake will stick behind.

• Batter Magic

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients with a gentle whisk. Pour in the wet ingredients and let an electric mixer transform them into a silky smooth mixture. Slowly introduce boiling water, creating a wonderfully thin batter that promises delectable results.

• Baking Adventure

Carefully distribute the batter among the prepared pans. Let the oven work its magic for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to rest briefly in their pans before transferring to a cooling rack.

• Frosting Creation

On the stovetop, blend sugar, milk, egg yolks, and butter. Stir continuously as the mixture transforms into a rich, creamy concoction. Remove from heat and fold in vanilla, coconut, and pecans. Let the frosting cool and develop its luxurious texture.

• Cake Assembly

Build your masterpiece layer by layer. Spread generous portions of the coconut-pecan frosting between each cake layer. Crown the cake with a final layer of frosting, creating a tempting dessert that begs to be devoured.

• Celebration

Slice into this decadent creation and savor each bite. Keep any remaining pieces in a sealed container, ready for another moment of sweet indulgence.

Tips And Toppings For German Chocolate Cake

• Baking Brilliance: Expert Tips for Perfect German Chocolate Cake
• Room Temperature Magic: Let eggs, buttermilk, and butter sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even cake texture.
• Moisture Master Trick: Add a light coffee splash to chocolate batter to intensify the rich chocolate flavor without changing the cake's fundamental taste profile.
• Frosting Finesse: Cool coconut-pecan frosting completely before spreading to prevent sliding and ensure a beautiful, stable cake decoration.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace wheat flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cake's soft, tender crumb.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use coconut oil instead of butter for a delicious dairy-free version that maintains the cake's original decadent character.

Best Way To Serve German Chocolate Cake

• Tropical Island Escape: Serve slices with a chilled coconut mojito or pineapple-infused iced tea to complement the cake's rich, nutty flavors and transport your taste buds to a relaxing beach paradise.
• Decadent Dessert Pairing: Accompany each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to enhance the cake's luxurious texture and provide a creamy contrast.
• Coffee Lover's Dream: Brew a strong espresso or dark roast coffee to serve alongside the cake, allowing the robust coffee notes to beautifully balance the sweet coconut-pecan frosting and chocolate depth.
• Elegant Presentation Twist: Garnish each plate with a light dusting of toasted coconut flakes, a sprinkle of chopped pecans, and a delicate chocolate curl to elevate the visual appeal and add extra crunch.

Storage Help For German Chocolate Cake

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap cake layers or whole cake in plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness for 3-4 days at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Technique: Individually wrap cake layers in plastic film, then aluminum foil to protect from freezer burn. Store flat in freezer for up to 2 months, thawing at room temperature before assembling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers and frosting one day in advance, storing separately in sealed containers. This reduces day-of preparation stress and allows flavors to develop more deeply.
• Smart Serving Suggestion: Cut slices with a warm, clean knife for smooth edges. Separate remaining cake portions with parchment paper when storing to prevent sticking and maintain individual slice integrity.

Luscious German Chocolate Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Rich German chocolate cake delights with layers of moist chocolate cake, coconut-pecan frosting, and deep cocoa flavors. Bakers will discover a classic dessert that celebrates traditional German-American baking techniques with decadent sweetness.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (400 g / 14.1 oz) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (250 g / 8.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75 g / 2.6 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) boiling water
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) evaporated milk
• 1 cup (130 g / 4.6 oz) sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) chopped pecans
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• 1 ½ tsps baking soda
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Prepare three 9-inch round cake pans by greasing, flouring, or lining with parchment paper for effortless cake release.
2. Batter Creation: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine dry ingredients – flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Integrate buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until achieving a silky consistency. Carefully incorporate boiling water, transforming the batter into a thin, uniform mixture.
3. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge spotless. Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
4. Frosting Development: In a saucepan, merge sugar, evaporated milk, egg yolks, and butter. Simmer over medium heat, stirring consistently until the mixture thickens and coats a spoon (roughly 10-12 minutes). Remove from heat and fold in vanilla extract, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Allow frosting to cool to room temperature.
5. Cake Assembly: Position first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of coconut-pecan frosting. Carefully place second cake layer and repeat frosting application. Crown with final layer, lavishly covering the entire cake with remaining frosting.
6. Serving and Storage: Slice and serve the cake. Store any remaining portions in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate to maintain optimal freshness.

Notes

• Manage Moisture Perfectly: Add boiling water gradually to maintain cake’s light, tender texture without over-mixing, which can create dense, tough layers.
• Choose High-Quality Cocoa: Select premium Dutch-processed cocoa powder for richer, deeper chocolate flavor that elevates the entire cake’s taste profile.
• Prevent Frosting Separation: Continuously stir coconut-pecan frosting while simmering to prevent egg yolks from curdling and ensure smooth, creamy consistency.
• Optimize Cake Storage: Store cake at room temperature in sealed container for 3-4 days, or refrigerate up to one week to preserve moisture and prevent frosting from breaking down.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg