Homemade German Chocolate Cake

Here’s a classic homemade German Chocolate Cake recipe featuring rich chocolate cake layers and a signature coconut-pecan filling. This recipe is made entirely from scratch and serves 10–12.

🍫 German Chocolate Cake (Homemade from Scratch)

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• 4 oz German’s sweet chocolate (Baker’s brand or similar), chopped

• 1/2 cup boiling water

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs, separated

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:

• 1 cup evaporated milk

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 3 large egg yolks

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut

• 1 cup chopped pecans

🧁 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans (or two 9-inch).

2. Melt chocolate: In a heatproof bowl, pour boiling water over the chopped chocolate and stir until smooth. Let it cool slightly.

3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla and melted chocolate.

5. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and salt.

6. Alternate mixing in dry ingredients and buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients.

7. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the batter.

8. Divide batter among pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

9. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Frosting

1. In a saucepan, combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, and butter.

2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened (10–12 minutes).

3. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla, coconut, and pecans. Let cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a third of the coconut-pecan frosting on top.

2. Add the second layer and repeat. Top with the third layer and spread the remaining frosting on top (optional: frost the sides, but traditionally the sides are left bare).

🔄 Optional Add-ons

• Add a thin layer of chocolate ganache between cake and frosting for extra decadence.

• Toast the pecans and coconut lightly for more flavor.