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Oct 25, 2023

Best German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Swiss buttercream and a coconut pecan filling makes this heavenly dessert! If

Swiss buttercream and a coconut pecan filling makes this heavenly dessert!

If you're ready to enjoy one of the most indulgent chocolate desserts, you're in the right place—try this German chocolate cake recipe! A rich chocolate cake acts as the foundation to hold a creamy, dreamy coconut pecan filling. Finished with a chocolate Swiss buttercream and decorated with extra coconut and pecans, this dessert has the flexibility to go from a rustic delight to bakery level beauty with only a few extra cake decorating tools.

Is German chocolate cake from Germany?

Contrary to popular belief, this delectable cake made from scratch is an all-American classic! Originally called German's Chocolate Cake, this confection earned its name from Samuel German, a chocolate maker who created a sweet baking chocolate for the Baker's Chocolate Company. The original German Chocolate Cake appeared on The Dallas Morning News in 1957 as part of a "Recipe of the Day" segment and quickly became a hit! While traditionally this type of cake uses a melted bar of chocolate, opt for unsweetened cocoa powder to keep this cake sweet and simple. But don't worry, using Baker's sweetened shredded coconut is still encouraged for the filling and to decorate the sides.

Can this cake be made ahead?

This cake may feel a bit daunting with its multiple components, but each and every part can be made ahead of time! Once the cake layers are baked and cooled completely, they can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to two days. The coconut filling can also be covered and placed into the fridge to sit until everything is ready for assembly. Even the buttercream is okay to sit at room temperature for up to 24 hours, if it's tightly covered!

Do I really need the pastry bag?

Don't worry if you don't have a pastry bag to pipe the buttercream! Simply place 1/2 cup of the buttercream into a zip-up bag and cut a 1 inch hole in the corner. The important thing is to create a sturdy barrier, so that the filling doesn't run the risk of leaking out to the sides.

Could I use box cake mix instead?

A box of German chocolate cake mix is a fantastic option to make this recipe even easier! Simply follow the directions on the back of the box to bake two 9-inch cake layers.

Nonstick baking spray with flour

all-purpose flour

granulated sugar

unsweetened cocoa powder

baking soda

baking powder

kosher salt

large eggs

vanilla extract

whole milk

vegetable oil

hot (not boiling) water

granulated sugar

light brown sugar

evaporated milk

melted unsalted butter

egg yolks, room temperature

kosher salt

sweetened flaked coconut, divided

chopped pecans, plus 1/2 cup of whole pecans to decorate

vanilla extract

granulated sugar

egg whites, room temperature

unsalted butter, softened and cubed

vanilla extract

kosher salt

unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

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