German Chocolate Cake
A rich German chocolate cake made with moist chocolate cake layers, a creamy coconut-pecan frosting, and a smooth chocolate frosting.
Equipment
- two baking pans
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- saucepan
- microwave For melting butter if desired.
- plate or cake stand
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 3 large egg yolks
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- ½ cup butter
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease two baking pans.
- In a bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
- Mix the dry ingredients together until well combined. Then add the boiling water and stir until the batter becomes smooth.
- Pour the batter evenly into the pans. Bake for 25–35 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
- In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk.
- Cook the mixture until it thickens slightly. Then add the vanilla extract along with the pecans and coconut.
- Let the frosting cool completely before using it on the cake.
- Melt the butter in a microwave or over heat in a saucepan. Mix in the cocoa powder until well combined.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar to achieve the desired sweetness, alternating with amounts of milk until it reaches a spreadable consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract well for added flavor.
- Place one layer of cake on a plate or cake stand. Spread a layer of chocolate frosting on top, followed by half of the coconut frosting mixture.
- Add the second cake layer on top. Cover the cake generously with chocolate frosting before finishing it with the remaining coconut frosting on top for decoration.
- Enjoy your German Chocolate Cake!
Notes
Allow the cake layers and coconut frosting to cool completely before assembly. Adjust the powdered sugar and evaporated milk in the chocolate frosting as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.