German Chocolate Cake

User Reviews

4.9

11,892 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    30 mins

  • Cook Time

    30 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 15 mins

  • Servings

    15

  • Calories

    591 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    American

German Chocolate Cake

The BEST homemade German Chocolate Cake with layers of coconut pecan frosting and chocolate frosting. This cake is incredible!

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Ingredients

Servings

For the Chocolate Cake:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

For the Coconut Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup Chopped Pecans
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

For the Chocolate Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease two 8 or 9-inch round baking pans. I like to cut a round piece of wax or parchment paper for the bottom of the pan also, to make sure the cake comes out easily.

For the Cake:

  1. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. In a separate bowl combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla and mix well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Stir in boiling water (batter will be very thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
  2. Bake for 25 - 35 minutes (depending on your cake pan size. The 9'' pan takes less time to bake) or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with few crumbs. Cool 5 minutes in the pan and then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.

For the German Chocolate Frosting:

  1. In a medium saucepan add brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly for several minutes until the mixture begins to thicken. 
  2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts and coconut. Allow to cool completely before layering it on the cake.

For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

  1. Melt butter. Stir in cocoa powder. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed to thin the frosting, or a little extra powder, until you reach your desired consistency. Stir in vanilla.

Cake Assembly:

  1. Place one of the cake rounds on your serving stand or plate. 
  2. Smooth a thin layer of chocolate frosting over the cake layer, and then spoon half of the coconut frosting on top, spreading it into a smooth layer. Leave about 1/2 inch between the filling and edge of cake. 
  3. Stack the second cake round on top. Smooth chocolate frosting over the entire cake.
  4. Spoon remaining coconut frosting on top of the cake. 

Notes

  • *If baking at high altitude add 3 tablespoons extra flour.
  • Make Ahead Instructions: Both frostings (coconut and chocolate) can be made ahead and placed in a covered container in the fridge. The coconut frosting will keep for 1-2 weeks, depending on the freshness of the ingredients used. The chocolate frosting will keep for 2-3 weeks. Remove frostings from the fridge an hour before you're ready to frost the cake, to give them time to come to room temperature.
  • Freezing Instructions: After baking the cake layers, allow them to cool completely, then wrap them well in plastic wrap and stick each layer in a ziplock freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months. Frost the cakes when they are frozen--they are much easier to frost this way! The assembled German Chocolate Cake can also be frozen, covered well, for 2-3 months (I recommend slicing the cake and wrapping each slice really well in plastic wrap, then placing in a freezer-safe container, for best results). Allow to come to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 591kcal (30%) Carbohydrates 77g (26%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 31g (48%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 100mg (33%) Sodium 440mg (18%) Potassium 313mg (9%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 69g (138%) Vitamin A 535IU (11%) Vitamin C 0.4mg (0%) Calcium 118mg (12%) Iron 1.9mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 591 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 591kcal 30%
Carbohydrates 77g 26%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 31g 48%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 100mg 33%
Sodium 440mg 18%
Potassium 313mg 7%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 69g 138%
Vitamin A 535IU 11%
Vitamin C 0.4mg 0%
Calcium 118mg 12%
Iron 1.9mg 11%

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

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Overall Rating

4.9

11,892 reviews
Excellent

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