🍫 Classic German Chocolate Cake (With a Twist!) πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ✨

Servings: 10 Total Time: 2 hrs Difficulty: Intermediate
A moist, fudge-layered chocolate cake with the most addictive coconut pecan frosting!
German Chocolate Cake pinit

A moist, fudge-layered chocolate cake with the most addictive coconut pecan frosting!

Layers of rich dark chocolate, pillowy soft crumb, and a dreamy, buttery coconut-pecan filling this is the German Chocolate Cake of your dreams! Despite the name, it’s actually an American classic that feels just as homey as Grandma’s kitchen. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, holiday, or just craving something indulgent, this cake is a showstopper that delivers every single time.

πŸŽ‰ Why You’ll Love This German Chocolate Cake

βœ”οΈ Soft, fudgy layers with a deep chocolate flavor
βœ”οΈ Toasted coconut + pecan filling = next-level delicious
βœ”οΈ Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or cozy weekends
βœ”οΈ Make-ahead friendly tastes even better the next day
βœ”οΈ Optional ganache for extra chocolatey glam

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

  • 2 round cake pans (8 or 9 inch)
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk + spatula
  • Double boiler (or makeshift one)
  • Cooling rack

πŸ§‚ Key Ingredients & Why

🍫 Dark Chocolate Bar – Gives rich, bold chocolate flavorβ€”melted into the batter.
🧈 Butter – Softened, not melted, for creaming with sugar and egg yolks.
πŸ₯› Buttermilk – Adds tang and tenderness. DIY version works great too!
🍳 Eggs – Whites whipped for lightness, yolks used for richness.
πŸ₯₯ Shredded Coconut – For that signature German cake frosting.
🌰 Pecans – Toasted for crunch and flavor.
πŸ₯„ Evaporated Milk – The secret to creamy, silky coconut-pecan frosting.

πŸ‘©β€πŸ³ How to Make This German Cake (Quick Steps!)

🍰 Mix Batter:

  • Separate eggs.
  • Cream butter + yolks + sugar.
  • Add melted chocolate, dry ingredients, and buttermilk.
  • Whip whites and fold into batter.

πŸ”₯ Bake:

  • 350Β°F for 30 mins. Cool completely.

πŸ₯₯ Frosting:

  • Cook yolks, milk, sugar, and butter until thick.
  • Add coconut, pecans, vanilla.

πŸŽ‚ Assemble:

  • Stack with frosting. Add ganache (optional).

⏱️ Chill or serve right away. Enjoy every fudgy, coconutty bite!

πŸ‘©β€πŸ³ Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

πŸ”Έ Toast pecans in advance for bold flavor
πŸ”Έ Use a serrated knife for clean layers
πŸ”Έ Add ganache only once cake is fully cooled
πŸ”Έ Store in the fridge overnightβ€”it’s even better the next day!
πŸ”Έ Skip the ganache if you’re short on time still delish!

🧊 Storage

  • ❄️ Store cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • 🍰 Can be frozen (unfrosted) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and frost before serving.

πŸŽ‚ More Cakes You’ll Love

πŸ‘‰ πŸ’™ Bluey Cake Recipe: Easy & Adorable Pup-Tastic Treat!
πŸ‘‰ 🍬 Magical Cotton Candy Cake Recipe (Pink & Blue Magic!) πŸŽ‚
πŸ‘‰ 🍫 Mini Chocolate Lunchbox Cakes (With Cute Messages!) πŸŽ€
πŸ‘‰ Ultimate Unicorn Cake Recipe: A Magical, Rainbow-Topped DessertΒ πŸ¦„πŸ°

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🍫 Classic German Chocolate Cake (With a Twist!) πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ✨

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 30 mins Rest Time 60 mins Total Time 2 hrs
Cooking Temp: 350Β  C Servings: 10 Estimated Cost: $ 12 Calories: 540 kcl
Best Season: All Seasons

Description

Layers of rich dark chocolate, pillowy soft crumb, and a dreamy, buttery coconut-pecan filling this is the German Chocolate Cake of your dreams! Despite the name, it’s actually an American classic that feels just as homey as Grandma’s kitchen. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, holiday, or just craving something indulgent, this cake is a showstopper that delivers every single time.

Ingredients

Cooking Mode Disabled

🍰 Cake Layers

πŸ₯₯ Coconut-Pecan Frosting

🍫 Optional Ganache

✨ Prep First

  1. Separate 3 eggs. Preheat oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). Line your cake pans with parchment paper.

πŸ₯£ Mix the Dry Ingredients

  1. Sift together flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.

    Β 

πŸ₯› Make Quick Buttermilk

  1. Stir milk and vinegar together. Let sit for 10 minutes to curdle slightly.

    Β 

🍫 Melt the Chocolate

  1. Break your chocolate bar into chunks. Melt with a bit of water using a double boiler until smooth.

    Β 

🧈 Cream Butter & Yolks

  1. Beat softened butter until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks one by one, then slowly mix in the sugar.

    Β 

πŸŒ€ Combine Everything

  1. Pour in the melted chocolate. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and homemade buttermilkβ€”mix just until combined.

    Β 

☁️ Whip & Fold

  1. Wash beaters, then whip egg whites to soft peaks. Gently fold into the batter for a light, airy texture.

    Β 

πŸ”₯ Bake the Cakes

  1. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.

    Β 

πŸ₯œ Toast the Pecans

  1. Toast pecans in a dry pan until fragrant. Let cool, then chop finely.

    Β 

πŸ₯₯ Make the Coconut Frosting

  1. Simmer egg yolks, evaporated milk, sugar, and butter until thickened. Stir in coconut, chopped pecans, and vanilla. Cool to spreadable.

    Β 

πŸŽ‚ Assemble the Layers

  1. Stack your cooled cakes with generous layers of frosting between each. Spread frosting over the top.

    Β 

🍫 Add Ganache (Optional but Epic!)

  1. Drizzle warm ganache around the edges for a decadent finish.

Keywords: German chocolate cake, chocolate coconut pecan cake, coconut pecan frosting, Southern chocolate cake, layer cake, birthday cake, ganache chocolate cake, fudge cake, American cake, make-ahead cake
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❓ FAQs You’ll Want to Know

Expand All:

πŸ₯₯ Can I use sweetened coconut instead of unsweetened?

Yes, you can! It’ll make the frosting a bit sweeter and moisterβ€”but still totally irresistible.

Β 

πŸ₯› Do I have to use buttermilk?

Nope! Just mix regular milk with vinegar or lemon juice (1 cup + 1 tbsp acid). Let it sit 10 minutesβ€”it works like magic.

Β 

🍫 Can I skip the ganache?

Absolutely! The cake shines with just the classic coconut-pecan frosting. Ganache is just a bonus for extra indulgence.

Β 

⏳ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Bake the cake layers a day in advance and frost when ready. Store covered in the fridgeβ€”still super fresh.

Β 

πŸ”₯ What’s the best way to toast pecans?

Toss them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant. Or bake at 350Β°F for 6–8 minutes. Let cool before chopping.

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