Growing up I was never a fan of German chocolate cake. I’m sure it didn’t help that the only German chocolate cake we would serve at celebrations was store bought. But I also wasn’t very fond of pecans or coconut (I’m still not a huge fan coconut). But now that I have some experience in baking, I’ve discovered pecans taste their best after toasting them and coconut can be very appetizing in the right recipes. We couldn’t have German chocolate cake without coconut right?
This was the first recipe I made for German chocolate cake. It was for Father’s Day and my step-father’s favorite. At that point in time I still wasn’t a fan of German chocolate cake, but while I was making this I sure thought this cake has to be good. No doubt this had to be better than the supermarket cakes that I was so used to when I was younger. Well I was right, and not only was I right I haven’t made any other German chocolate cake since. Why fix what ain’t broke. This recipe also has frosting for the sides of the cake, sort of a different spin on the classic version. I hope you will enjoy this cake as much as I have.

German Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
COCONUT-PECAN FILLING
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 1/4 cups pecans, toasted and chopped
CAKE
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 4 large eggs, separated at room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
FROSTING
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
FILLING
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, sugar, egg yolks and butter and cook over medium heat, and stir constantly until the butter had melted and the mixture thickens and bubbles. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 minutes longer.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla, coconut and pecans. Cool for about 1 hour or until the mixture is spreadable, before using.
CAKE
- Place an oven rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of 2 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each pan with wax or parchment paper. Grease the bottom of the pan and dust the pans with flour and set aside.
- Sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
- Combine the chocolate and boiling water in a bowl and whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth and set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and vanilla extract and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attached, beat the butter at medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of the sugar and beat on high speed until well blended and fluffy about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the cooled chocolate and mix until blended. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating it with the sour cream mixture in two additions and mixing just until blended. Remove the bowl from the mixer stand and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer beat the egg whites at low speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and mix until blended. Increase the speed to medium and beat until the whites are fluffy and begin to form soft peaks. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Increase the speed to high and whip until the whites until they are glossy and smooth and form stiff peaks. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whites into the chocolate batter one-third at a time. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake the cakes for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool the cakes in their pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Carefully run a small knife around the edge of each pan to loosen the cake and invert each cake onto a wire rack to cool completely.
FROSTING
- Put the chocolate in a medium stainless steel bowl and place the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove the bowl from over the pot and set the chocolate aside to cool.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 30 seconds. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat at high speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the cooled chocolate at low speed, mixing until combined and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Increase the speed to high and beat until the frosting is slightly aerated, about 1 minute. Use the frosting immediately or cover tightly and set aside at room temperature for up to 3 hours.
ASSEMBLY
- Place one of the cake layers upside down on a cake stand or cake round and spread 1 1/2 cups of the filling on top of the cake. Top with the other cake layer (smooth side up).
- Using a small offset spatula, smooth the frosting on the sides of the cake, filling in any gaps between the layers. Spread the remaining filling on top of the cake. Decorate with remaining frosting to your liking.
Adapted from The Cake Book
CakePants
Oh my…this looks beyond delicious!! I like the concept of German chocolate cake, but like you, I’ve been disappointed by store-bought varieties all too often. I’ve actually never made my own, and now I’m wondering why…looking forward to trying this!
strangequirk
This looks amazing… Question! Is the temp/time you gave for the oven for fan assisted?
thecakechica
Thank you! The temps and time is for a conventional oven.