Ultimate German Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Absolutely! Here’s a big, rich, and satisfying recipe story of the Ultimate German Chocolate Cake—a dessert that’s more than just a cake, it’s a love letter in layers. 🥰🍫🥥

🍫 Ultimate German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Moist, rich, and layered with coconut-pecan frosting—the dessert that melts hearts and starts traditions.

✨ Introduction

The German Chocolate Cake is one of the most iconic and beloved cakes in American baking. Despite its name, it isn’t German at all—but rather named after Samuel German, an American baker who developed a special dark-baking chocolate for Baker’s Chocolate Company in 1852.

What followed was a 1957 Dallas newspaper publishing a recipe using “German’s Sweet Chocolate,” and the cake quickly gained legendary status across the U.S. Known for its ultra-moist chocolate cake layers and its signature coconut-pecan frosting, this cake isn’t just dessert—it’s a celebration.

This is our ultimate version—richer, moister, and more decadent than ever. Let’s dive into love at first bite. 💕

🧾 Ingredients

🍰 For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened, Dutch-process or natural)
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 4 oz German sweet chocolate (chopped)
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

🥥 For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:

  • 12 oz can evaporated milk
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (1½ sticks)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ cups shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1½ cups chopped pecans (toasted if desired)
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract

🍽️ Equipment

  • 3 x 8″ or 9″ cake pans (or bake in 2 and slice)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk and spatula
  • Electric mixer (optional)
  • Saucepan (for frosting)
  • Cooling racks

👩‍🍳 Instructions & Method

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pans

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Grease cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, and dust with cocoa powder or flour. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Base

  1. In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and chopped German chocolate.
  2. Heat gently, stirring until the chocolate and butter are melted and smooth.
  3. Let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

  1. Add the chocolate mixture to the dry ingredients.
  2. Stir in the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  3. Beat until smooth (about 1–2 minutes by hand or with mixer).

Step 5: Bake

  • Divide batter evenly among pans.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto racks to cool completely.

🥄 Step 6: Make the Coconut-Pecan Frosting

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine:
    • Evaporated milk
    • Egg yolks
    • Butter
    • Brown sugar
    • Granulated sugar
  2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and golden (about 10–12 minutes).
  3. Remove from heat. Stir in:
    • Vanilla
    • Shredded coconut
    • Chopped pecans
  4. Let cool until thick enough to spread.

🎂 Step 7: Assemble the Cake

  1. Place one cake layer on serving plate.
  2. Spread ⅓ of the frosting over top.
  3. Repeat with remaining layers and frosting. (Frost only the tops, or sides too, if desired!)
  4. Garnish with extra pecans or toasted coconut, if you’re feeling fancy.

❤️ Lovers of This Cake Say…

“It’s not just a cake, it’s an experience.” — Elena M., home baker
“My husband requests this every birthday. We even served it at our wedding.” — Jordan & Casey W.
“It brings everyone to the table—and they don’t talk, they just eat.” — Grandma Lily, age 92

This cake has started relationships, family traditions, and flavor obsessions. It’s one of those desserts people remember. A cake for lovers of flavor, lovers of texture, and yes… lovers in general. 💞

📚 A Bit More History

  • The original recipe used “German’s Sweet Chocolate,” and it exploded in popularity in the late 1950s.
  • Unlike traditional chocolate cakes, the frosting isn’t buttercream—it’s a custard-style, cooked icing.
  • This style of cake is especially popular in the American South, where pecans are treasured.

🔄 Variations

  • German Chocolate Cupcakes: Use the same batter in cupcake tins. Top with frosting.
  • Chocolate Ganache Layer: Add a layer of dark ganache between cake and frosting.
  • Toasted Coconut Crunch: Toast the coconut and pecans before adding to frosting.

🏁 Conclusion

The Ultimate German Chocolate Cake is more than a recipe. It’s a timeless classic that combines rich chocolate, creamy caramelized frosting, and a bit of nostalgia. Whether you’re baking it for a birthday, holiday, anniversary, or just because—it will deliver.

Bake it. Share it. Fall in love with it. Again and again. 💝

Would you like a printable or visual version of this recipe? Or maybe a shopping list or nutrition breakdown?

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