Family German Chocolate Cake
Decadent, deeply chocolatey, and layered with a luscious coconut-pecan frosting, this German Chocolate Cake is a timeless favorite. With its moist crumb and rich flavor, it’s perfect for celebrations or anytime you want to impress with a classic dessert.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake
Ingredient
All-purpose flour: 2 cups
Granulated sugar: 2 cups
Unsweetened cocoa powder: ¾ cup
Baking soda: 2 tsp
Baking powder: 1 tsp
Salt: ½ tsp
Buttermilk: 1 cup
Vegetable oil: ½ cup
Large eggs: 2
Vanilla extract: 2 tsp
Hot water or coffee: 1 cup
For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting
Ingredient
Evaporated milk?: 1 cup
Granulated sugar: 1 cup
Egg yolks (large): 3
Unsalted butter: ½ cup
Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
Sweetened shredded coconut: 1½ cups
Chopped pecans: 1 cup
Directions
1. Bake the Cake Layers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
Add Hot Liquid: Slowly pour in the hot water (or hot coffee), mixing gently. The batter will be thin—that’s expected.
Divide & Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool Completely: Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool fully.
2. Make the Coconut-Pecan Frosting
Create the Custard Base: In a medium saucepan, whisk together evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, and butter over medium heat.
Thicken: Stir constantly for 10–12 minutes until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Finish the Frosting: Remove from heat. Mix in vanilla, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Let cool to room temperature—it will thicken more as it sits.
3. Assemble the Cake
First Layer: Set the first cake layer on a serving platter. Spread one-third of the frosting evenly across the top.
Stack and Repeat: Add the second layer and another third of the frosting. Top with the final cake layer and finish with the remaining frosting.
Optional Decoration: Traditionally, the sides are left bare to showcase the cake layers, but feel free to frost the sides or drizzle with ganache for a richer finish.
