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Best German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Moist layers of German Chocolate Cake slathered with the best homemade coconut pecan frosting ever are the hallmarks of this classic dessert!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
39 mins
Servings: 14 servings
Calories: 743 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cake
  • 4 ounces German sweet chocolate chopped
  • 1/2 cup boiling hot water
  • 1 cup salted butter
  • 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups (300g) cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
Frosting
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar
  • 12 unces evaporated milk
  • 3/4 cup salted butter
  • 5 large egg yolks room temperature
  • 3 cups shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1 1/2 cups Chopped Pecans
  • 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper circles and spray with baking spray. Set aside.
  2. Add the chopped chocolate to a medium bowl, then pour the water over it and stir gently until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together using a stand mixer or electric mixer for about 4 minutes until light.
  4. Separate egg whites from yolks, reserving the egg whites in a medium bowl. Add the yolks one at a time to the butter and sugar, mixing after each addition.
  5. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla, and mix until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix again.
  6. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt alternately with the buttermilk. Mix just until combined after each addition, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. I have found that if I start by adding about 3/4 cup of the flour along with all of the baking soda and salt, then about 1/3 cup of the buttermilk, then more of the flour and buttermilk and so on, I don't need to sift the dry ingredients together beforehand and dirty an extra bowl.
  7. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, then gently fold into the batter.
  8. Divide the cake batter evenly between three 9-inch round cake pans and bake 24-28 minutes at 350°F until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out with just a few crumbs on it. Cool completely on wire racks.
  9. For the frosting, heat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and egg yolks in a medium saucepan over medium heat until thick and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Be sure to stir constantly so as not to scramble the eggs. Remove from the heat and add coconut, pecans, and vanilla. The frosting will continue to thicken as it cools. Cool for at least 30 minutes until thick enough to spread before assembling the cake.
  10. To assemble the cake, set the first cake layer on a cake plate and frost just the top with 1/3 of the frosting. Repeat with the next two layers, leaving the sides of the cake bare. If you want to frost the outside of the cake, you will need to make a double batch of the frosting.

Notes

  • If you don't have buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to a 1 cup measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way with whole milk. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes before using in place of the buttermilk in the recipe.

Nutrition Information

Calories 743kcal (37%) Carbohydrates 81g (27%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 45g (69%) Saturated Fat 24g (120%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 12g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 176mg (59%) Sodium 459mg (19%) Potassium 210mg (6%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 61g (122%) Vitamin A 902IU (18%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 69mg (7%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 14servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 743

% Daily Value*

Calories 743kcal 37%
Carbohydrates 81g 27%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 45g 69%
Saturated Fat 24g 120%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 12g 60%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 176mg 59%
Sodium 459mg 19%
Potassium 210mg 4%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 61g 122%
Vitamin A 902IU 18%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 69mg 7%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.