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How To Make A German Chocolate Cake

by Louise 5 Comments

German Chocolate Layers Cake

A few months ago, my Uncle Larry asked me to make him a German Chocolate Cake for his birthday. I really haven’t made many German Chocolate Cakes over the years, but because he’s been sick for several months, I wanted to not only make him one… I wanted it to be excellent!!

German Chocolate Cake Layers

Other than requesting the cake, the most important thing he asked was that I pile on lots and lots of the Coconut Pecan Frosting. Lots of frosting? Yes, I think I can handle that!

As I was looking for a good recipe, there were just so many out there that looked good and I was surprised to learn that German Chocolate Cake is considered a “guy’s cake”. Why is that, I wonder?

It was listed as a favorite of men, perfect for Father’s Day and Dad’s birthday desserts… everywhere I turned, it was decidedly a masculine dessert. I was baffled.

But I’m here to tell you… this cake will be a crowd-pleaser for men and women! It’s filling and chocolatey and rich and has loads of texture with the roasted coconut and pecans.   Maybe the men will go crazy for it, but the women will be coming back for seconds too!

German Chocolate Cake Frosted

Oooh, and while my favorite pictures of this cake were of the “naked” layers… it was also very pretty once I covered the whole thing in the Coconut Pecan Frosting (as requested!).

So, without further delay… let me share the recipe with You. If you’d like to see this recipe as cupcakes, be sure to check out my post here: German Chocolate Cupcakes with Coconut Pecan Frosting and Milk Chocolate Buttercream.

This recipe was slightly adapted from The Cake Mix Doctor Returns cookbook.

Here’s what you’ll need for the cake:

1 (4 oz.) bar of German’s sweet chocolate (I prefer Baker’s brand OR you could also substitute 4 oz. of milk chocolate chips)

1 (16.5 oz.) box of German Chocolate cake mix

2 oz. all-purpose flour

1 (3.5 oz.) box of instant vanilla pudding

1/2 cup water

4 oz. sour cream

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

For the frosting:

1 (12 oz) can of evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

12 tablespoons salted butter

4 large egg yolks, slightly beaten

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2 cups sweetened, flaked coconut

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly spray (3) 8″ round pans with cake release spray (or a homemade version).

2. Break the milk chocolate bar into pieces (or milk chocolate chips) and place them in a microwave safe dish. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until the chocolate is completely melted.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted chocolate, cake mix, flour, pudding mix, water, sour cream, oil, and eggs. Beat on low until the ingredients are incorporated and then on high for 2 more minutes. The batter will be smooth and thick.

4. Divide the batter evenly into (3) 8″ pans.

5. Bake until the top springs back when touches, usually for 28-32 minutes.

While the cake is baking, make the frosting:

1. Place the evaporated milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks and vanilla in a large boiler over medium heat.

2. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and golden brown. This took about 12 minutes for me.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut and pecans. Allow it to cool to room temperature (I stuck mine in the frig – it got a little too thick, but it worked!). It’ll take at least 30 minutes to cool to room temperature if left out.

Assemble the cake by alternating layers of cake and frosting. I love the look of piling up the frosting between layers and then a big pile on top OR you could do thinner layers between the cakes and cover the entire outside with frosting. I recommend covering the entire outside if you will not be serving immediately so the cake does not dry out.

Enjoy!!

Happy Caking!

Rose

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angie

    October 12, 2019 at 8:28 PM

    Just wanted to verify adding 2 ounces of flour? Have never heard of that so wanted to make sure:) making this now for my fathers birthday!

    Reply
  2. Catherine

    January 28, 2015 at 5:00 AM

    This is my brothers favorite cake. It looks delicious.

    Reply
  3. Marcella

    January 27, 2015 at 5:14 PM

    Hi! In my Country they don’t sell German Chocolate cake mix. Do you have any receipt of this that you know that tastes good?
    Thank you! 🙂

    Reply
    • Rose

      January 29, 2015 at 9:06 AM

      I don’t have a scratch recipe – I’m sorry! But you could try a milk chocolate cake mix instead and I bet it will be very similar!

      Reply
      • Pat

        September 21, 2015 at 7:25 PM

        There is a from-scratch recipe on the back of the Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate label.

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Kristen is the author of Cake Journal and a graduate of the Professional Baking program at Renton Technical College. She has worked as a pastry chef at a top Seattle restaurant and loves sharing her passion for baking amazing cakes on this site.

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