Best German Chocolate Cake Recipe with Coconut Pecan Frosting

When it comes to iconic desserts, few can rival the indulgent decadence of a German Chocolate Cake Recipe. With its rich, moist chocolate layers and the irresistible sweetness of coconut pecan frosting, this cake is a true showstopper. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a homemade treat, this chocolate cake recipe is guaranteed to impress.

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In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through how to make the best German Chocolate Cake from scratch, complete with tips for perfecting the chocolate frosting, achieving those all-important stiff peaks, and ensuring every element is at the ideal room temperature for the best results. Let’s dive in!

What Is German Chocolate Cake Recipe?

Despite its name, German Chocolate Cake isn’t actually German! The cake gets its name from Samuel German, an American chocolatier who developed a type of dark baking chocolate for the Baker’s Chocolate Company in 1852. This chocolate, called Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate, became the key ingredient in the original recipe for German Chocolate Cake.

Curious about other classic desserts with interesting backstories? Check out our post on The History of Red Velvet Cake and learn how this vibrant cake became a household favorite.

The cake itself is a masterpiece of flavor and texture. It features layers of moist, tender chocolate cake paired with a rich and decadent coconut-pecan frosting. Some bakers also add a layer of chocolate frosting for extra indulgence. The combination of sweet chocolate, nutty pecans, and chewy coconut makes this cake a standout dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

Why This German Chocolate Cake Recipe Stands Out

• Moist Layers: The combination of dry ingredients like flour, baking soda, and salt with wet ingredients like buttermilk and melted chocolate ensures a perfectly tender crumb.
• Unique Frosting: The coconut pecan frosting is unlike any other. It’s made with egg yolks and evaporated milk, giving it a custard-like consistency that pairs beautifully with the chocolate cake.
• Homemade Goodness: From the batter to the frosting, every step is made from scratch, delivering a fresher and more flavorful dessert than store-bought cakes.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or casual dessert craving, this cake is a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients for the Best German Chocolate Cake Recipe

For the Cake Layers:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 4 ounces German sweet chocolate, melted
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Coconut Pecan Frosting:

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans

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Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Prepare the Cake Batter

1. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 9-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to ensure the layers release easily.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a soft, airy texture.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. These dry ingredients are the foundation of the cake.
5. Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Stir in the melted German sweet chocolate and boiling water, mixing until smooth.

Bake the Cake

1. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
2. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Coconut Pecan Frosting

1. Cook the Base: In a medium saucepan, combine the evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens (about 10 minutes).
2. Add Coconut and Pecans: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Allow the frosting to cool completely before using.

Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of frosting on top.
2. Repeat with the second and third layers, spreading frosting between each cake layer and on the top of the cake.
3. Garnish with additional coconut or pecans if desired.

Tips for Perfecting Your German Chocolate Cake Recipe

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature before mixing. This helps the batter mix evenly and results in a smoother texture.
2. Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
3. Cool Completely Before Frosting: The cake layers and frosting need to cool completely to prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.
4. Use Parchment Paper: Lining the pans with parchment paper ensures the cake layers release easily without sticking.

Why You’ll Love This German Chocolate Cake Recipe

If you’ve ever had a store-bought or boxed version of German Chocolate Cake, you’re in for a treat. This homemade recipe is far superior, with a depth of flavor and freshness that simply can’t be matched. Here’s why this recipe is a must-try:

1. Moist Chocolate Cake Layers: The cake is made with buttermilk and hot water, which ensures a soft and tender crumb.
2. Authentic Coconut-Pecan Frosting: The frosting is made from scratch with real butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk, giving it a rich and creamy texture.
3. Easy to Make: While it may look fancy, this recipe is surprisingly simple to follow, even for beginner bakers.
4. Perfect for Any Celebration: Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or holiday gathering, this cake is always a crowd-pleaser.

Looking for more show-stopping cakes? Don’t miss our guide to The Best Layer Cakes for Special Occasions, where we share tips and recipes for everything from carrot cake to black forest cake.

Variations of German Chocolate Cake Recipe

While the traditional recipe is unbeatable, there are a few creative variations you can try:

1. Cupcakes: Turn the recipe into individual servings by baking the batter in cupcake liners. Top each with a dollop of coconut pecan frosting.
2. Sheet Cake: Bake the batter in a 9×13-inch pan for a simpler version. Spread the frosting over the top once cooled.
3. Chocolate Ganache: Add a layer of ganache between the cake layers for extra richness.
4. Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.

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Why Homemade German Chocolate Cake Is Better

Making this chocolate cake recipe from scratch allows you to control the quality of ingredients, ensuring no artificial flavors or preservatives. Plus, the satisfaction of creating something so delicious with your own hands is unmatched.

What makes German chocolate cake Recipe different?

German chocolate cake stands out because of its signature coconut pecan frosting. While most chocolate cakes feature buttercream or ganache, this cake uses a rich, custard-like frosting that combines egg yolks, butter, evaporated milk, sugar, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. The cake itself tastes lighter and sweeter than traditional chocolate cakes because it uses German’s Sweet Chocolate, a mild, sweetened dark baking chocolate that Baker’s Chocolate Company developed. Despite the name, this cake doesn’t come from Germany—it honors Samuel German, the chocolate’s creator.

What is the secret to a super moist cake?

The secret to a super moist cake lies in ingredients, mixing techniques, and baking methods. Here are some tips:

• Use oil instead of butter: Oil retains moisture better than butter because it stays liquid at room temperature. A combination of both can give you the best of both worlds—moistness and flavor.
• Incorporate sour cream, yogurt, or buttermilk: These ingredients add tanginess and extra moisture to the batter. Buttermilk also reacts with baking soda to create a tender crumb.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the cake dense and dry. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Add an extra egg yolk: Egg yolks add richness and fat, which contribute to a moist texture.
• Brush layers with simple syrup: Many bakers brush cake layers with a sugar syrup (sometimes flavored) to keep them moist.
• Avoid overbaking: Check the cake a few minutes before the recommended baking time. Overbaking dries out the cake, so remove it from the oven as soon as a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

What is the difference between German Chocolate Cake Recipe and Baker’s chocolate?

• German chocolate: This is a type of sweet baking chocolate developed by Baker’s Chocolate Company. It contains sugar, which makes it sweeter than semisweet or bittersweet chocolate. It’s typically used in German chocolate cake recipes for its mild, sweet flavor.
• Baker’s chocolate: This is a general term for a brand of baking chocolate that includes various types, including unsweetened, semisweet, bittersweet, and sweetened chocolate. Unsweetened Baker’s chocolate is 100% cocoa with no sugar, while German chocolate is sweetened and milder.

What cake mix is closest to German Chocolate Cake Recipe?

The closest cake mix to German Chocolate Cake Recipe is a milk chocolate cake mix. Milk chocolate has a similar sweetness and mildness to German’s Sweet Chocolate. If you can’t find a German chocolate cake mix, you can use a milk chocolate mix and enhance it with a small amount of melted semisweet chocolate for a richer flavor. Alternatively, Devil’s Food cake mix can work, but it will be darker and less sweet than traditional German chocolate cake.

Does German Chocolate Cake Recipe need to be refrigerated?

Yes, German Chocolate Cake Recipe should be refrigerated if it has the traditional coconut pecan frosting. The frosting contains perishable ingredients like egg yolks, butter, and evaporated milk, which can spoil if left at room temperature for too long. Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Before serving, allow the cake to come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

What is the most popular German cake?

The most popular German cake is Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte). This iconic dessert consists of layers of chocolate sponge cake, whipped cream, and cherries, often soaked in kirsch (a cherry brandy). It’s topped with more whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and cherries. While German chocolate cake is popular in the U.S., it’s not actually German—Black Forest Cake is the true star in Germany.

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Why does my German Chocolate Cake Recipe fall?

A German chocolate cake can fall for several reasons:

• Overmixing the batter: This incorporates too much air, which causes the cake to rise quickly in the oven and then collapse as it cools.
• Too much leavening agent: Excess baking soda or powder can cause the cake to rise too fast and then sink.
• Opening the oven door too early: This causes a sudden drop in temperature, which can make the cake fall.
• Underbaking: If you don’t fully cook the center of the cake, it won’t have enough structure to hold its shape.
• Incorrect oven temperature: An oven that’s too hot can cause the cake to rise too quickly and then collapse. Use an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy.

What is the closest thing to German chocolate?

If you don’t have German chocolate, you can substitute:

• Semisweet chocolate: Add 1 teaspoon of sugar per ounce of semisweet chocolate to mimic the sweetness of German chocolate.
• Milk chocolate: This is sweeter than German chocolate but works as a substitute in most recipes.

Can I use chocolate chips instead of chocolate squares?

Yes, you can use chocolate chips instead of chocolate squares, but keep these tips in mind:

• Chocolate chips contain stabilizers to help them hold their shape, so they may not melt as smoothly as chocolate squares.
• For better results, melt the chocolate chips slowly over low heat, adding a little butter or oil to improve the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pairing Suggestions

To enhance the experience of this German Chocolate Cake recipe, consider pairing it with:

• Coffee: The bitterness of coffee complements the sweetness of the cake.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of ice cream adds a creamy contrast to the rich cake.
• Fresh Berries: Strawberries or raspberries provide a refreshing tartness.

Fun Facts About German Chocolate Cake Recipe

1. Samuel German, not the country: inspired the name of this cake.
2. Unique Frosting: The coconut pecan frosting is a cooked frosting made with egg yolks and evaporated milk, unlike traditional buttercream.
3. A Holiday Favorite: Many families enjoy this cake during special occasions like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

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Conclusion

This German Chocolate Cake recipe is a must-try for any chocolate lover. Its rich, moist layers and the decadent coconut pecan frosting make it a standout dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply treating yourself, this cake is guaranteed to impress.

By following these steps and incorporating essential tips like using parchment paper, ensuring ingredients are at room temperature, and baking until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, you’ll achieve the perfect cake every time.

So, grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to bake the best German Chocolate Cake of your life. Don’t forget to share your masterpiece with friends and family—they’ll thank you for it!

If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to explore our other dessert ideas, like Easy Chocolate Desserts for Every Occasion.

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