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A slice of layered chocolate cake with a creamy filling on a plate, accompanied by a spoon.

German Chocolate Cake

Mandy Applegate
This German Chocolate Cake is the perfect mix of rich chocolate layers and a gooey, nutty frosting that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. It’s the ultimate treat for any celebration or when you just need that perfect slice of decadence. Ready in less than an hour!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine German
Servings 8
Calories 1188 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

For the Coconut Frosting:

  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • ¾ cup evaporated milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup shredded coconut

For the Chocolate Frosting:

  • ½ cup butter
  • cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • cup evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180ºC (350°F) and grease two round baking pans (8 inch).
  • Sift sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a big bowl.
    2 cups sugar, 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
  • In another bowl, mix eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla with an electric mixer until creamy.
    2 large eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, ½ cup vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then stir in boiling water. The batter will be thin.
    1 cup boiling water
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 25-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let the cakes cool for 5 minutes, then remove them from the pans and let them cool completely on wire racks.

For the German Chocolate Frosting:

  • In a saucepan, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk.
    ½ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup butter, 3 large egg yolks, ¾ cup evaporated milk
  • Stir and bring to a low boil over medium heat until thickened.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts, and coconut.
    1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup shredded coconut
  • Let it cool completely before using it on the cake.

For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

  • Melt butter and stir in cocoa powder.
    ½ cup butter, ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Alternately add powdered sugar and milk until you get the right consistency and stir in vanilla.
    3 cups powdered sugar, ⅓ cup evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cake Assembly:

  • Put one cake round on a plate.
  • Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting on top, then add half of the coconut frosting.
  • Stack the second cake round on top.
  • Cover the entire cake with chocolate frosting.
  • Spread the remaining coconut frosting on top.

Notes

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs, buttermilk, and butter are all at room temperature before you start. This ensures everything mixes together smoothly, giving you a better texture in the cake.
  • Don’t Overmix: When you combine your wet and dry ingredients, mix just until they're combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
  • Check Your Baking Powder and Soda: Make sure they're fresh! Old leaveners can lead to a flat cake, and we definitely want fluffy.
  • Boiling Water: Adding boiling water to the batter might seem odd, but it helps bloom the cocoa powder, giving you a richer chocolate flavor.
  • Cooling Time: Letting the cakes cool completely before frosting is crucial. Warm cakes can melt your frosting, creating a sloppy mess instead of a beautiful cake.
  • Frosting Consistency: If your coconut-pecan frosting is too runny, let it simmer a bit longer. If it's too thick, add a touch more evaporated milk.
  • Make Ahead: You can bake the cake layers a day or two in advance. Just wrap them up and keep them in the fridge until you're ready to frost.

Storage Instructions

  • Room Temperature: To keep your German Chocolate Cake tasting fresh, wrap it up well. Use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover the cake tightly, preventing air from drying it out. You can store it at room temperature for a day or two
  • Fridge: If you want to keep it a bit longer, pop it in the fridge. Just remember, cold cake can be a bit firm, so let it sit out for a bit before you dig in again. This way, you’ll get that perfect creamy texture back!
  • Freeze: You can also freeze the unfrosted cake layers. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and they'll be good for a couple of months in the freezer. Just thaw and frost when needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 1188kcalCarbohydrates: 163gProtein: 13gFat: 59gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 188mgSodium: 885mgPotassium: 553mgFiber: 8gSugar: 131gVitamin A: 1005IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 238mgIron: 5mg
Keyword German chocolate cake
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