The Best German Chocolate Cake

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How To Make German Chocolate Cake:

BEST German Chocolate Cake | Preppy Kitchen

1. Make the chocolate cake: Combine dry ingredients . Combine wet ingredients . Mix together and stir in boiling water.

2. Bake at 375°F: Pour batter into prepared 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.

3. Make the German Chocolate Frosting: Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts and coconut. Allow to cool completely before layering it on the cake.

4. Make chocolate frosting: Melt butter, stir in cocoa powder, slowly 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.

5. Assemble: Place one of the cake rounds on your serving stand or plate. 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 ½ inch between the filling and edge of cake. Stack the second cake round on top. Smooth chocolate frosting over the entire cake. Spoon remaining coconut frosting on top of the cake.

Frosting For German Chocolate Cake

HEAT. Whisk together milk, egg yolks, and sugar in a heavy saucepan. Add the butter. Cook and stir over medium heat till thickened, about 10-12 minutes.

COMBINE. Let cool for about 10 minutes, then stir in the vanilla, coconut, and pecans. Cool completely before frosting the cake.

FROST THE CAKE. Place one layer of cake on a plate stand and spread half of the frosting onto one of the cakes. Add the second layer, then spread the remaining frosting on top.

How To Make German Chocolate Cake

There are 3 parts to German chocolate cake. Lets discuss all 3 so you feel prepared and confident when you try it.

1. CAKE

If youve tried my tuxedo cake, black forest cake, or regular chocolate cake then you are familiar with the cake itself. Its simply my favorite chocolate cake recipe. Sour cream, oil, eggs, and buttermilk keep it extremely moist. Cocoa powder supplies all our chocolate flavor, which is enhanced with a little espresso powder. The espresso powder is optional if you dont keep any. Youll also need hot liquid to properly dissolve and bloom the cocoa power. You can use hot water or hot coffee. The cake wont taste like coffee, I promise, but the chocolate flavor will certainly be deep and divine! An upgrade, if you will.

Speaking of cocoa, make sure youre using natural unsweetened cocoa and not dutch-process. Remember the difference between dutch-process vs. natural cocoa powder?

2. COCONUT PECAN FILLING

While the chocolate cake is fantastic, the coconut pecan filling is the star of the show. Its thick, crunchy, gooey, chewy, and sweet all in one. Its made from the best ingredients baking has to offer, so you know youre in for a treat:

3. CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Will the cake dry out if the sides arent frosted? Overtime, yes. But this cake is so moist, especially with the gooey coconut pecan filling, that itll take awhile to taste even a smidge dry! If youre still a little nervous about it drying out, give the sides a light swipe of frosting.

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Tips For The Best German Chocolate Cake

  • Because the coconut icing is so rich, I left the sides of my cake bare. But feel free to add frosting to the sides if you wish!
  • Be sure to buy sweetened coconut flakes for the German chocolate cake icing.
  • Whole milk is a must in this cake. It makes the chocolate cake extra moist and adds flavor.

I got this recipe from Robyn Stones amazing new cookbook, Add a Pinch: Easier, Faster, Fresher Southern Classics.

Her new cookbook is filled with fresh takes on classic family-friendly recipes all of which are straight forward and easy to follow and the end results look truly delicious!

I highly recommend this cookbook! If youd like to read more about this cookbook or to buy a copy for yourself you can follow this link HERE.

What Is The Best Chocolate To Use In This Cake

The Best German Chocolate Cake in All the Land

In my opinion, to make a true German chocolate cake, you can choose nothing less than Baker’s Sweetened German’s Chocolate Baking Bar. This is readily available in your grocery store and affordable enough to keep in your pantry at all times. You’ve probably even used it before for making a chocolate milkshake extra special! There are many brands of chocolate that are of the same overall percentages of chocolate and sugar that are commonly used in making this chocolate cake. You can definitely reach for your favorite sweetened baking chocolate, but I like to go as traditional as possible, so reach for the brand that created the name. It’s my way of honoring Mr. Samuel German and his hard work in the culinary field.

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The Most Amazing German Chocolate Cake

The Most Amazing German Chocolate Cake is moist, rich, and layered with the most delicious coconut pecan filling. This is the German Chocolate Cake youve been dreaming of!

The Most Amazing German Chocolate Cake is moist, rich, and layered with the most delicious coconut pecan filling. This is the German Chocolate Cake youve been dreaming of!

Whatever happened to good old fashioned chocolate cake? Obviously the standard chocolate cake recipe is still alive and well over here at The Stay At Home Chef, and you all sure do seem to love it! While we are still head over heels for The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake, we have also come to recognize that there is so much variety in chocolate cake out there. Luckily for you, we are here to help you navigate the world of chocolate cake.

Between devils food cake, red velvet, and German chocolate cake, it is easy to get these all mixed up. Fortunately, there are plenty of distinguishing traits once you bite into them! German chocolate is easily identifiable due to its coconut pecan filling. While the chocolate cake itself just cant be beat, it is the filling that truly makes this the most amazing German chocolate cake ever!

What To Do If Your Coconut Pecan Frosting Doesnt Fully Thicken

If your frosting doesnt fully thicken, you may not have cooked it long enough to evaporate out the excess liquid and get it to thicken on its own. In this event, try adding a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar as a thickening agent and chill the frosting in the fridge to see if you can get it to come together. Keep in mind that the powdered sugar may cause the frosting to taste a little different than intended.

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Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: Both frostings 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 youre ready to frost the cake, to give them time to come to room temperature.

To Freeze: 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 frozenthey are much easier to frost this way! The assembled German Chocolate Cake can also be frozen, covered well, for 2-3 months . Allow to come to room temperature before serving.

Why This Traditional German Chocolate Layer Cake Is The Best

The BEST German Chocolate Cake Recipe!! With Coconut Filling & Chocolate Ganache!

Homemade German chocolate cake is an old-fashioned original cake recipe that is known for its yummy combination of sweet German chocolate and sweet nutty icing. You will love it for several reasons:

  • Easy to Make: This traditional German cake is made with basic easy steps that will have you feeling confident and proud of what you have baked. You will want to share it with everyone if you can manage it not keep it all to yourself. Just be sure everything is properly measured beforehand to yield the best cake.
  • Rich and Moist: The sweet creamy layers of German chocolate, coconut pecan frosting, vanilla extract, sugar, butter, and more create a delectable, moist homemade cake that is rich with the BEST flavors!
  • The Best Cake: I am truly not exaggerating whenever I say this is the best German Chocolate cake youll ever eat. The sticky sweet layers and coconut pecan filling round the entire chocolate cake out and allow it to be extra spongy since the cake absorbs the textures of the sweet homemade icing. The melted chocolate makes this homemade German chocolate cake recipe truly wonderful.
  • Great for Holidays and Birthdays: Serve this easy chocolate layer cake for any traditional occasion. Everyone will love this homemade cake recipe!

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How Do You Make German Chocolate Cake From Scratch

  • First- make your coconut-pecan frosting . This needs time to cool before you use it on the cake so its best to make it first.
  • Make your cake- this cake is a combination of whipping butter, sugar, and eggs on high so you get a fluffy/airy batter, and folding in the dry ingredients and the chocolate ingredients in order to keep the batter fluffy.
  • Allow your cake to cool then make your Chocolate Buttercream.
  • Assemble your cake, frost with a crumb coat, then a final coat, press on toasted coconut, add the drip, then add the top decorations and extra coconut/pecan frosting.

Can I Freeze German Chocolate Cake

You can definitely make the cake layers in advance and freeze them for up to 1 month. Just let them cool completely, then wrap each layer individually in plastic wrap and lay them flat on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, store the layers in freezer-safe ziploc bags for extra protection.

You can assemble the cake without bothering to thaw the layers, which is actually helpful if you are trying to avoid getting crumbs in your frosting! Just be sure to leave enough time for the cake to thaw before serving if you take this approach.

I do not recommend freezing this cake once it has been assembled and frosted. The results are okay, and while the thawed cake tastes alright, the presentation is usually not great.

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The Best Homemade German Chocolate Cake Recipe

The best, homemade German Chocolate Cake recipe, from scratch, is decadent and sweet with the rich chocolate cake layers topped with coconut pecan frosting! Add some chocolate buttercream frosting to put this cake recipe over the top!

I have a confession.

I have never liked German Chocolate Cake. To me, its always been dry, and lacking flavor.

Seriously, the only redeeming quality was the coconut pecan frosting.

Until now of course.

I even surprised my family with this cake recently, and the confessions came out that even my parents have never liked this type of cake.

But, after one bite of this decadent, impressive cake, we all have had a change of heart.

I pretty much nailed the cake, and of course the frosting takes this to the next level. Adding a bit of my easy chocolate buttercream frosting to the sides gives this cake a little extra richness we couldnt resist!

The Best German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Yammie

I love when holidays draw closer because that means theres definitely going to be some amazing desserts around! Amazing desserts like this homemade German Chocolate Cake!

All we need in life is chocolate cake, right? Chocolate cake has a way to my heart and whoever discovered chocolate is my hero.

Truly though, this easy German Chocolate Cake is one of those desserts thats so good it should become a tradition in your home for a yearly holiday like a birthday, Easter or Mothers Day.

Its four layers of total bliss!

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How To Make Coconut Pecan Frosting For German Chocolate Cake

  • Heat sugar, milk, butter and egg yolks in a saucepan over medium heat until it thickens and turns golden brown. This takes about 5 minutes and you want to be sure to stir constantly so as not to scramble the egg yolks!
  • Remove from heat and stir in the coconut, pecans, and vanilla.
  • Cool for at least 30 minutes, until its thick enough to spread on your cake layers. The frosting will continue to thicken as it cools and can be made a day in advance and refrigerated until you are ready to assemble the cake.
  • German Chocolate Cake Frosting

    When most people think of German Chocolate Cake, they usually think about the frosting.

    Traditional frosting is something of a cross between a frosting, a custard, and a caramel. The base is made primarily with egg yolks, evaporated milk, and brown sugar and cooked on the stovetop until thickened. Once cooked, well stir in shredded coconut and toasted pecans.

    When making this frosting, its so important that you dont turn up your heat too high or youll end up cooking bits of your egg. Also, make sure you let your frosting cool completely before trying to decorate your cake or youll likely end up with a runny mess.

    This caramel-esque frosting is the only frosting that some German Chocolate Cake recipes use, and if thats how you want to make yours then go for it.

    Personally I wanted a little bit more chocolate , so I made a simple chocolate frosting to frost the outside of the cake and decorate the top. I also used it as a dam on the first layer of the cake to help hold the coconut frosting inside, making it easier to frost the outside .

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    What Is A Good Substitute For German Chocolate

    If you are absolutely dying for German chocolate cake but don’t have real German chocolate on hand, you can try mixing one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder with one tablespoon + one teaspoon of sugar and one teaspoon of vegetable shortening. Do this for each ounce of German chocolate called for in a recipe.

    While this is a decent substitute, it may still not taste quite the same as using actual German chocolate.

    Let’s Frost That German Chocolate Cake

    THE BEST Homemade German Chocolate Cake Recipe, CVC’s Holiday Series

    For the frosting, you will want to do the following

    Take the chocolate frosting and frost the top of your cake with a thin layer of chocolate.

    Now, using a 1 star tip, create rosettes all around the outside edge of the cake.

    Then, take a spoon and spoon the German Chocolate into the center of the cake. That’s it!

    Your cake is now perfect and ready to enjoy.

    Of course, you do not have to decorate it the way I did. You can totally do whatever you want make it your own!

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    How To Make Coconut Pecan Frosting

    What makes a great German chocolate cake? We all seem to agree the secret is in the frosting!

    The basics of todays frosting is to boil the mixture to create a custard like consistency before adding in the pecans and coconut.

    In a medium sized saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, room temperature egg yolks, salt, and evaporated milk. Over medium-low heat, bring the mixture to a low boil.

    PRO TIP: Use a whisk or rubber spatula to continually scrape the bottom of the saucepan while stirring so it doesnt burn or create build up!

    Continue cooking until mixture thickens into a custard-like texture. This can take 8-12 minutes depending on many factors including the type of saucepan youre using, the size of the pan, and the type of heat.

    Once your frosting base has thickened, add in vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and shredded sweetened coconut. Stir and set aside until cooled.

    PRO TIP: I refrigerate the coconut pecan frosting to speed up the cooling time!

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    • Place one layer of the chocolate cake, top down on a large cake dish.
    • Spread half of the coconut pecan frosting on top of the first layer.
    • Place the other cake layer on top of the frosted first layer and spread the remainder of the coconut pecan frosting on the top of the second layer.
    • Use the chocolate buttercream to frost the outside of the cake. Save some for a pastry bag to decorate the top edge of the cake.,

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    The Best German Chocolate Cake Frosting

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    Not just for cake, this rich, nutty German Chocolate Cake Frosting is loaded with coconut, pecans, and caramel notes with a balanced sweetness that has so many uses it deserves it’s own post! Use it to top brownies, fudge, cheesecake, or chocolate cookies to create a decadent dessert with amazing texture and flavor!

    Love coconut? Be sure to visit some of our other popular coconut-forward posts like Toasted Coconut Pancakes or 7 Layer Bars!

    Coconut pecan frosting is probably the reason why you eat German chocolate cake, right? But what if I told you that it tastes great on other chocolatey desserts as well? Enjoying this thick and creamy German chocolate cake frosting over my delicious fudgy brownies or some chocolate cookies can change your life.

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