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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Cake

    German Chocolate Cake

    Updated: Aug 7, 2023 โ€ข Published: Sep 16, 2019 by Sam Merritt โ€ข 171 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
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    German chocolate cake on silver platter

    A decadent German Chocolate Cake Recipe, made an extra moist and fudgy chocolate cake, a rich caramel/coconut frosting, and iced with a sweet and simple chocolate frosting. 

    Slice of German Chocolate Cake on white plate

    German Chocolate Cake

    …Or, as I originally wanted to call it, “Not Your Mama’s German Chocolate Cake”.

    I’m taking some liberties with the traditional German Chocolate Recipe today. After lots of testing, I wasn’t satisfied with many of the classic versions of this cake. Maybe you’ve tried them before: Chocolate cakes made with melted bars of German chocolate and whipped egg whites. They yield a lighter but more dry and not terribly chocolatey cake.

    While I tried to love it, I kept going back to my classic chocolate cake instead. Maybe its my recent intense chocolate cravings (thank you, pregnancy), but I wanted a dense, fudgy cake that actually tasted like chocolate.

    While our caramel/coconut layer stays (fairly) true to tradition, this German Chocolate Cake is honestly the most decadent, best version I’ve ever tried. Which, of course it is or I wouldn’t be sharing it with you here today 😉. Let’s get to it.

    How to make caramel filling for german chocolate cake: slightly golden and thickened in saucepan

    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, we’ll stir in shredded (sweetened) coconut and toasted pecans.

    When making this frosting, it’s so important that you don’t turn up your heat too high or you’ll end up cooking bits of your egg. Also, make sure you let your frosting cool completely before trying to decorate your cake or you’ll likely end up with a runny mess.

    Making German Chocolate Cake Frosting in saucepan with coconut and pecans

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

    Personally I wanted a little bit more chocolate (shocking), 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 (see below).

    How to assemble German Chocolate Cake: Make a dam around the cake with chocolate frosting and fill with coconut/caramel frosting

    Why is it Called German Chocolate Cake?

    This cake actually does not come from Germany, it’s considered an American cake. The recipe was named because of the creator of German chocolate, a man named Samual German. However, these days German Chocolate Cake is now generally used to describe any chocolate layer cake frosted with this coconut/caramel frosting. And while I do feel a little guilty about cutting Mr. German’s chocolate out of our recipe today, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the results.

    You can read here to find out more about the origins of this not-so-German cake.

    Whole German Chocolate Cake on marble board

    Does German Chocolate Cake Need to be Refrigerated?

    If you plan to enjoy your German Chocolate Cake within a day or two it will keep just fine at room temperature in an airtight container (so long as you aren’t in a particularly humid climate). You may refrigerate this cake, just be sure to keep in an airtight container (to help keep it from drying out, as refrigerators are notorious for drying out cake!).

    This cake will keep for a week in the refrigerator.

    Can You Freeze German Chocolate Cake?

    Yes! this cake can be frozen. It will keep for several months in the freezer, granted it is properly sealed and stored (I would wrap it well with plastic wrap and foil).

    Close-up of whole German Chocolate Cake to show texture of frosting and icing design

    Enjoy!

    More Recipes You Might Like:

    • Coconut Cake
    • Hummingbird Cake
    • Carrot Cake
    • Marble Cake
    • Or check out more of my Cake Recipes

    Let’s bake together! Follow me on my YouTube channel where I’ve already uploaded over 150 recipe videos that you can watch for free!

    Slice of german chocolate cake on white plate

    German Chocolate Cake

    A decadent German Chocolate Cake Recipe, made with an extra moist and fudgy chocolate cake, a rich caramel/coconut frosting, and iced with a sweet and simple chocolate frosting. 
    Be sure to check out the how-to VIDEO below the recipe!
    4.98 from 44 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Course: Cake, Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 15 slices
    Calories: 784kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt
    YouTube video

    Ingredients

    Chocolate Cake

    • 1 ¾ cup (215 g) all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
    • 1 cup (200 g) sugar
    • ¾ cup (75 g) natural cocoa powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons instant coffee
    • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup (120 ml) neutral cooking oil I use avocado oil, but canola or vegetable oil would also work
    • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter melted
    • 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
    • 1 large egg yolk room temperature preferred
    • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 cup (236 ml) buttermilk¹
    • ½ cup (120 ml) very hot or boiling water

    Coconut Caramel Filling

    • 4 large egg yolks
    • 1 cup (236 ml) evaporated milk
    • 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 8 pieces
    • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
    • ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar firmly packed
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cups (125 g) chopped pecans preferably toasted
    • 2 cups (160 g) sweetened shredded coconut

    Chocolate Frosting²

    • 1 cup (226 g) salted butter softened
    • 3 ½ cups (440 g) powdered sugar
    • ½ cup (50 g) natural cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 Tablespoons evaporated milk³

    Instructions

    Chocolate Cake

    • Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare two 9" round cake pans by lightly greasing and flouring I also recommend lining the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment paper. Set aside.
    • Combine flour, sugars, cocoa powder, instant coffee, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer) and use an electric mixer to stir until well-combined.
      1 ¾ cup (215 g) all-purpose flour, 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed, 1 cup (200 g) sugar, ¾ cup (75 g) natural cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoons instant coffee, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, ¾ teaspoon salt
    • Add oil and melted butter and stir well (mixture will be very thick), then stir in eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract.
      ½ cup (120 ml) neutral cooking oil, ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 large egg yolk, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
    • Gradually add buttermilk, stirring until completely combined.
      1 cup (236 ml) buttermilk¹
    • Slowly add hot water (be careful not to splash yourself!), stirring until ingredients are well-combined. Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
      ½ cup (120 ml) very hot or boiling water
    • Evenly divide batter into prepared pans. Transfer to oven and bake on 350F (175C) for 25-30 minutes and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Allow cakes to cool for 15 minutes before inverting onto cooling rack to cool completely before filling and frosting.

    Coconut Caramel Filling

    • Once your cake is in the oven, begin preparing your coconut/caramel German Chocolate Cake Filling. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine egg yolks and evaporated milk and whisk until eggs are lightly beaten.
      4 large egg yolks, 1 cup (236 ml) evaporated milk
    • Add butter, sugars, and salt and place saucepan over medium/low heat (keep heat low so you do not cook your eggs!). Stir constantly until mixture is a light golden brown and thickened (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and shredded coconut.
      8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar, ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cups (125 g) chopped pecans, 2 cups (160 g) sweetened shredded coconut
    • Allow to cool completely before spreading over cake.

    Chocolate Frosting

    • In the bowl of a stand mixer OR in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder until completely combined. Stir in vanilla extract and milk.
      1 cup (226 g) salted butter, 3 ½ cups (440 g) powdered sugar, ½ cup (50 g) natural cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 Tablespoons evaporated milk³

    Assembly:

    • Once your cake layers have cooled and your coconut/caramel filling is no longer warm to the touch, you can assemble your German Chocolate Cake!
    • Place one cake round on serving tray or cake platter. Use your chocolate frosting to spread or pipe a border around the edge of the cake. Fill the border with half of your coconut/caramel filling.
    • Top with second cake round. Frost top and sides of entire cake with remaining chocolate frosting.
    • Top off cake with remaining half of coconut/caramel frosting.
    • Slice, serve, and enjoy!

    Notes

    ¹If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, please see my easy buttermilk substitute.
    ²This makes enough to lightly but entirely cover the cake without much left over for decorations. Since this is such a rich cake, this amount of frosting will be sufficient for most people. However, if you intend to decorate, please increase the frosting recipe by 50%.
    ³I recommend evaporated milk because you will likely have some over from your coconut filling if you purchased a 12 oz can. However, regular milk will work just as well!

    Storing

    German Chocolate Cake will keep at room temperature (granted you are not in a particularly hot/humid climate) in an airtight container for up to three days. It may also be refrigerated (in an airtight container) for up to a week.
    German Chocolate Cake may be frozen, wrap well and freeze for up to several months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 784kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 445mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 76g | Vitamin A: 23IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 4mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ann

      March 25, 2021 at 12:58 am

      5 stars
      Excellent!

      Reply
    2. Zoie Penick

      March 21, 2021 at 2:40 pm

      5 stars
      My sister and I made this cake today. My family loved it! Thanks for the recipe Sam! We followed everything exactly ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Sam

        March 21, 2021 at 9:22 pm

        I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Zoie! Baking with family is the best. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    3. Ali

      March 07, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      Can I use instant flavored coffee like caramel if I do not have regular instant coffee?

      Reply
      • Sam

        March 08, 2021 at 10:49 am

        Hi Ali! The flavored instant coffee should work. Just keep in mind it’s going to change the final flavor of the cake. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    4. Taylor

      January 21, 2021 at 5:16 pm

      Hi Sam!
      I plan on making this for my Nan’s 65th birthday next week, but I’d like to do 3 layers instead of 2. How much would you recommend increasing the ingredients? Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Sam

        January 21, 2021 at 9:41 pm

        Hi Taylor! I would increase all of the ingredients by 50%. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    5. Iman

      December 04, 2020 at 12:15 pm

      Hi Sam! I plan on trying this delicious recipe soon. I wanted to ask if there is a reason for using sweetened coconut over unsweetened? I have some unsweetened coconut and wondered if the sugar in recipe will make up for it.

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 04, 2020 at 9:26 pm

        Hi Iman! I use it because it’s a little more moist and a little more flavorful but you can use the unsweetened if that’s what you have on hand. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
        • Iman Khan

          December 06, 2020 at 4:33 pm

          Thank you!

    6. Melissa

      November 29, 2020 at 12:38 pm

      Thank you for sharing this recipe! I made it yesterday and it turned out great. I just have one question, my German chocolate filling was still a bit runny. It never quite thickened up. I put some on the top and it started running down the sides after a while. Any suggestions to prevent this? I cooked on low heat for like 8-10 minutes. It just never got really thick. What did I do wrong?

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 29, 2020 at 9:30 pm

        Hi Melissa! I’m glad you enjoyed it overall. Your filling may have just needed a little bit longer to cook to thicken up a bit. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    7. Andres

      October 21, 2020 at 9:26 pm

      5 stars
      Can I make this in 8 inch pans since the cake is basically your chocolate cake?

      Reply
      • Sam

        October 21, 2020 at 9:38 pm

        Hi Andres! That will work just be careful not to overfill the pan. The bake time may be slightly different as well. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    8. Sandy

      August 19, 2020 at 8:02 pm

      Iโ€™ve been looking a lot at your site in the last several months. Iโ€™ve actually made several of your recipes and they were awesome! With this one for the German chocolate cake, can this be made in a 9 x 13 pan instead of 2 round pans? I canโ€™t wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Sam

        August 19, 2020 at 9:07 pm

        Hi Sandy! That should work just fine. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
        • Tonya R

          October 08, 2021 at 7:11 pm

          For the coconut caramel filling, you say be careful not to cook the eggs. So are the eggs raw in this filling?? How is that safe?

        • Sam

          October 11, 2021 at 10:19 am

          Hi Tonya! You will be heating the eggs so they are “cooked” to be safe to consume (if you’re concerned, use an instant read thermometer and make sure they reach 165F), but you want to make sure that you aren’t over-heating them and that you don’t end up with bits of cooked/scrambled egg in your filling. I hope that helps!

    9. Marie

      July 10, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      Hi!
      I love your recipes! I make them all the time and all my friends raveeee about how good they are. I have a friend who lovesssss German cake, so I wanted to give this one a shot for her, but sheโ€™s allergic to eggs…do you have a good suggestion for an egg substitute? Thanks! And keep baking and sharing your recipes – theyโ€™re AWESOME!

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 13, 2020 at 9:27 am

        Hi Marie! Unfortunately I don’t really have a good substitute for the egg here. ๐Ÿ™

        Reply
      • Brian

        September 27, 2020 at 8:22 pm

        I got to try this!!!

        Reply
    10. Diane

      July 09, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      5 stars
      Definitely I will try this cake and Iโ€™ll let you know how it turn out THANK YOU CHEF ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿณ …..BUT IT LOOKS AMAZING

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 09, 2020 at 4:33 pm

        I hope you love it Diane! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    11. Karen

      May 23, 2020 at 11:22 pm

      Hi Sam.
      I tried posting not sure it it worked but Iโ€™m curious if I could half this recipe to make a 6 inch cake since it would pretty much be for me and my husband. Or what do you recommend? Thanks

      Reply
      • Sam

        May 24, 2020 at 9:19 am

        Hi Karen! Cutting the recipe in half should work for a 6 inch cake. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
        • Karen

          May 24, 2020 at 10:28 am

          Thank you Sam Iโ€™ll definitely be trying it out!!

      • Leota

        October 16, 2021 at 7:37 am

        Hi Sam
        I am going to try this recipe is there a substitute for coffee or can I leave out coffee entirely? Thanks

        Reply
        • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

          October 16, 2021 at 10:15 am

          Hi Leota! You can just leave it out entirely. Keep in mind it won’t make your cake taste like coffee; it just enhances the chocolate flavor. Enjoy!

    12. Karen

      May 23, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      Hi Sam.
      I was curious if I can half this recipe to make a 6 inch cake or what do you recommend?Thanks

      Reply
      • Sam

        May 25, 2020 at 10:24 pm

        Hi Karen! Would this be a 2-layer 6 inch cake? That would work, you might have a little bit of extra batter but just discard it (don’t fill the cake pans more than 2/3-3/4 full).

        Reply
    13. Allison

      May 17, 2020 at 8:46 pm

      Can the filling be made in advance and frozen? I have so many egg yolks left over after making Swiss merengue buttercream and want to get a head start on my moms birthday cake.

      Reply
      • Sugar Spun Run

        May 18, 2020 at 8:56 am

        Hi, Allison! I have not tried it myself, but I think that it should be fine frozen. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    14. PovertyLaneBaker

      May 16, 2020 at 11:29 pm

      This was a delicious recipe and the end product was a finger licking delight. But, as a huge fan of Sugar Spun Run, I questioned a few changes. Why not the “Best Chocolate Cake” recipe? The chocolate frosting recipe was just a buttercream and your outer chocolate frosting is far superior (salted butter?). Anyway, still a huge fan, but I’ll use your other recipes with this messy delish in the future. Keep up the good work.

      Reply
      • Sam

        May 17, 2020 at 10:50 am

        Glad you enjoyed! I talk a bit about why I made the cake the way I did in the post if you want to check that out. I am glad you have been enjoying the recipes! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    15. kate

      May 05, 2020 at 3:55 pm

      This looks Amazing! How would you do these as cupcakes? I have a request for some and just want to get them right

      Thank you so much for the help!

      Reply
      • Sugar Spun Run

        May 07, 2020 at 1:47 pm

        Hi, Kate! I have never used this recipe to create cupcakes before so you will have to experiment some. I would fill the mufifn tin with 1/4 cake batter, then I’d add 1-2 tablespoons of the coconut caramel filling, then apply more cake batter on top until the cupcake is 2/3 of the way full. I would then bake them until done and allow them to cool completely before icing them. Again, I have not tried it so you will have to keep me posted on how they turn out. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
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