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Classic German Chocolate Cake

Classic German Chocolate Cake


  • Author: Imili Johnson
  • Total Time: 1 hour (plus cooling and assembling)

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:

  • 1 package (4 oz) sweet baking chocolate (like Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate), chopped

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar

  • 3 large eggs, separated

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

  • ½ cup water

For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:

  • 1 cup evaporated milk

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 1 ½ cups sweetened shredded coconut

  • 1 cup chopped pecans


Instructions

Preparation Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans. You can also line the bottoms with parchment paper for easier release.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the sweet baking chocolate with ½ cup water, stirring constantly until smooth. Let it cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–5 minutes using an electric mixer.

Step 4: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the melted chocolate and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until smooth.

Step 6: Beat Egg Whites

In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold them into the batter to add airiness and volume.

Step 7: Bake the Cakes

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Step 8: Make the Coconut-Pecan Frosting

In a medium saucepan, combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 10–12 minutes, until the mixture is thick and golden brown. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Let the frosting cool to room temperature; it will thicken further as it cools.

Step 9: Assemble the Cake

Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread ⅓ of the coconut-pecan frosting over the top. Repeat with the remaining layers, spreading the frosting between the layers and on the top. The sides of a German chocolate cake are traditionally left unfrosted.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition

  • Calories: 680
  • Sodium: 280mg
  • Protein: 6g