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German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake Recipe

A rich and irresistible German chocolate cake made from scratch with moist chocolate layers and a classic coconut pecan frosting.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10 Slices
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chocolate Cake Layers
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water
For the Coconut Pecan Frosting
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 egg yolks
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
Optional Chocolate Frosting (Sides)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ⅔ cup cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Mix dry and wet ingredients to form cake batter.
  2. Bake cake layers until cooked through.
  3. Prepare coconut pecan frosting on stovetop.
  4. Make optional chocolate frosting.
  5. Assemble layers with frosting.
  6. Let cake rest before slicing.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients
  • Do not overmix batter
  • Stir frosting continuously
  • Let cake cool completely before frosting
  • Chill layers slightly for easy assembly