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German Chocolate Cake Recipe

German Chocolate Cake

Rahat
German Chocolate Cake is a decadent masterpiece that combines rich, velvety chocolate with a luscious coconut-pecan frosting. With just 45 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of baking, this indulgent dessert is surprisingly simple to make yet feels like a luxurious treat.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings 15 slices
Calories 784 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cake

  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (215 g)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar firmly packed (200 g)
  • 1 cup sugar (200 g)
  • 3/4 cup natural cocoa powder (75 g)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup neutral cooking oil I use avocado oil, but canola or vegetable oil would also work (120 ml)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted (113 g)
  • 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
  • 1 large egg yolk room temperature preferred
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk (236 ml)
  • 1/2 cup very hot or boiling water (120 ml)

Coconut Caramel Filling

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

Chocolate Frosting

  • 1 cup salted butter softened (226 g)
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (440 g)
  • 1/2 cup natural cocoa powder (50 g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons evaporated milk (30 ml)

Instructions
 

  • 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.
  • Add oil and melted butter and stir well (mixture will be very thick), then stir in eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract.
  • Gradually add buttermilk, stirring until completely combined.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Allow to cool completely before spreading over cake.
  • 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.
  • 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!

Nutrition

Calories: 784kcalCarbohydrates: 91gProtein: 6gFat: 44gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 445mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 2gSugar: 76gVitamin A: 23IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 4mg
Keyword caramel, Chocolate, coconut, frosting, pecans
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