• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Gracious Wife logo
  • Recipes
  • Family
    • Love & Marriage
    • Parenting
  • House & Home
    • Kitchen and Cooking Tips
    • Cleaning & Organization
    • Budget
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Home » Recipes

German Chocolate Cake

Sep 12, 2022 · 34 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Collage with a 3 layer German chocolate cake on top, frosting dripping from between 2 layers of the same cake on bottom, and the words "best German chocolate cake" in the center

The most amazing traditional German Chocolate Cake that's moist, rich, and layered with gooey, sweet coconut pecan frosting. This homemade classic version is the best you'll ever have!

Three layer German Chocolate Cake topped with toasted pecans on a glass cake stand on a rustic wood background

German Chocolate Cake

This German Chocolate Cake recipe is a southern classic, handed down in my husband's family. Following tradition, it is made with sweet baking chocolate instead of cocoa powder is filled and topped with gooey-sweet coconut pecan frosting, which, in my opinion, is the best part.

We love this cake so much that we make it for my husband's birthday every year, and I know your family will love it as much as mine!

Why is it Called a German Chocolate Cake?

Believe it or not, this cake is actually not German! It was originally called German's Chocolate Cake after Sam German.

Sam German was an English-American baker who worked for Baker's chocolate and invented a new kind of sweet baking chocolate in 1852.

About 100 years later, a recipe was published in a Dallas newspaper from a homemaker sharing her chocolate cake recipe using this particular variety of sweet chocolate. Baker's chocolate began distributing the recipe throughout the country, during which time many publishers dropped the "'s" to call it what it's known as now "German Chocolate Cake."

So it's actually American, not German!

Slice of German chocolate cake on a small white plate with the remaining cake in the background

What is Different about German Chocolate Cake?

A German chocolate cake is not your average chocolate cake. But why? Two things make it different:

  1. It's made with German chocolate. If you go to the baking section of your grocer and look at the baking chocolate (by the chocolate chips!), you'll see several varieties. Traditional German chocolate cake is made with German (sweet) baking chocolate (it usually comes in the green box!). Because it uses this special chocolate, it is usually a lighter brown instead of the deep almost-black color of normal chocolate cake. There is no cocoa powder in German Chocolate Cake.
  2. The coconut pecan frosting. German chocolate cake is covered in a sweet and gooey frosting that reminds me of caramel and is swirling with coconut and pecans.

What is German Chocolate Cake Frosting Made of?

German Chocolate Cake is smothered in a special gooey, sweet, and decadent coconut pecan frosting (read more about it here).

It's made like a custard with sugar, milk (or in this case evaporated milk), egg yolks, butter, and vanilla. Then when it thickens, the coconut and chopped pecans are added to make the classic frosting that German Chocolate Cake is known for.

Close up of a German Chocolate Cake topped with coconut pecan frosting and toasted pecans with frosting in between each layer

To Buttercream or Not?

Traditionally German Chocolate Cake is prepared with just the coconut pecan frosting. However, I have seen many recipes recently that include chocolate buttercream, and they do look really pretty.

I don't personally think chocolate buttercream is necessary, but if you'd like to do some decorating or make it extra pretty, here's a super easy chocolate buttercream to go with it:

Chocolate Buttercream

  • 1 cup salted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons cream

In a large bowl, beat butter, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar until fluffy using an electric hand mixer. Add in cream and vanilla extract. Beat until combined and fluffy (if you feel any grittiness, that means you're not done beating yet!). Transfer to piping bag(s) for frosting.

More Cake Recipes You'll Love

  • 7Up Pound Cake - a lemon pound cake with lemon glaze made light with the addition of 7Up.
  • Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake - a rich chocolate sheet cake with the absolute best chocolate frosting you'll ever have in your life.
  • Sweet Potato Pecan Cupcakes - sweet potato cupcakes with bits of chopped pecans topped with caramel frosting.
  • Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes - yellow cupcakes filled with custard filling and topped with a rich chocolate ganache.
  • Butterfinger Cake - chocolate poke cake with caramel drizzle and whipped cream and Butterfinger frosting.

German Chocolate Cake Video

Three layer German Chocolate Cake topped with toasted pecans on a glass cake stand on a rustic wood background

Traditional German Chocolate Cake

The most amazing traditional German Chocolate Cake that's moist, rich, and layered with gooey, sweet coconut pecan frosting. This homemade classic version is the best you'll ever have!
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: German Chocolate Cake
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 16 slices
Calories: 811kcal
Author: Michelle

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 2 ½ cups cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 egg yolks unbeaten
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup butter room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 egg whites (keep the yolks for the frosting!)
  • 4 ounces German baking chocolate (1 bar)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Coconut Pecan Frosting

  • 2 cups evaporated milk
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 cups shredded sweet coconut
  • 2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions

For the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Grease three 8-inch cake pans (or two 9-inch) with butter. Line with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Sift or mix flour, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl. Set aside.
  • Melt chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each interval, until chocolate is fully melted. When chocolate is fully melted, set aside to cool a bit.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Mix in cooled chocolate and vanilla.
  • Add ⅓ of the flour mixture. Beat until combined. Add in ⅓ of the buttermilk, beating again to combine. Continue adding flour alternately with buttermilk, until all ingredients are mixed in.
  • In a separate large clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites with a hand or stand mixer until stiff peaks form.
  • Fold stiff egg whites into cake batter mixture.
  • Pour into cake pans (three 8-inch or two 9-inch).
  • Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, until cooked through.
  • Allow to cool for 15 minutes before turning out of pan onto a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Directions for Coconut Pecan Frosting:

  • Mix all ingredients, except coconut and pecans, together in a medium to large saucepan.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 12 minutes. Frosting will thicken a tiny bit more after cooling. Remove from heat when frosting has thickened.
  • Fold in coconut and pecans. Allow frosting and cake to fully cool before assembling.
  • To assemble, spread ⅓ of the filling mixture between each of the 3 layers. Top with the remaining third.

Video

Notes

  • Buttermilk - If you don't have any buttermilk on hand, use this easy buttermilk substitute with ingredients you probably already have at home!
  • Cake Flour: If you don't have any cake flour on hand, simply add 2 ½ tablespoons cornstarch to the bottom of your measuring cup. Then fill the rest of your measuring cup(s) normally to measure the full amount of flour. (Only 2.5 tablespoons total) Check out this cake flour substitute guide for more info.
  • Chocolate Buttercream can be used to frost the outside of the cake and pipe along the edges for a more finished look, if desired.
  • Melt the chocolate in short intervals, stirring after each increment, to avoid seizing and burning. It will take a few times to get it all the way melted, but it's really important to keep the chocolate from burning. 
  • 9x13" Cake: Bake in a buttered 9x13" baking dish at 350°F for about 40 minutes. Top with coconut pecan frosting.
  • Make Ahead Instructions: Prepare and bake cake. Wrap individual layers tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Make coconut pecan frosting to fill. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before assembling.
  • Storage: Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days.
  • Freezer Instructions: Frosted cake freezes well, up to 3 months. Freeze, then cover tightly and return to freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature or serve cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 811kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 193mg | Sodium: 418mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 980IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in October 2014. It was updated with new pictures, tips, and video and republished in September 2022.

Never Miss a Thing!

Join our newsletter to get new recipes, tips, tricks, and tutorials every week!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit
« Coconut Pecan Frosting
Chicken Piccata »
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Mix

Birthdays & Events, Cakes & Cupcakes, Desserts, Recipes, Vegetarian Cake Recipe, Chocolate Recipe, Dessert Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Adrian says

    October 06, 2014 at 10:20 am

    Love this recipe! German Chocolate Cake is also MY husband's favorite kind of cake and his birthday is coming up in November! Pinned! I am definitely using this recipe to make his Bday Cake!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 06, 2014 at 11:32 am

      Seriously, this cake was awesome. It's my husband's great grandma's recipe, and my husband is still talking about how amazing it was 4 days later! lol I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have questions! And thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  2. Patty Haxton Anderson says

    October 06, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    I am so glad you have the REAL frosting that belongs on this cake!

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth says

    October 07, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Yum. I love german chocolate. One of my favorites for sure!! I have to leave out the pecans because of nut allergies, but I love this!!

    Reply
  4. Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) says

    October 08, 2014 at 5:51 am

    Thanks for the tip! The recipe that I know uses different flour thats is not available here. This is so helpful for when I am doing something that needs cake flour =) The cake looks so lush! I can already imagine how sweet and yummy it taste! #TastyTuesdays

    Reply
  5. My Family Ties says

    October 08, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    What a great recipe, I haven't heard of this before but it sounds delicious! 🙂 #TastyTuesdays

    Reply
  6. Hayley @ Hay In A Day says

    October 08, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Ooo would love to try this! Love the sound of the coconut pecan frosting 🙂 #tastytuesdays

    Reply
  7. Alexis AKA MOM says

    October 09, 2014 at 9:06 am

    My dad's favorite dessert. This looks so amazing!!

    Reply
  8. Jacqui says

    October 09, 2014 at 11:14 am

    MMM! This looks so yummy!! Thank you for linking up to Party Time and we hope to see you again next week!"

    Reply
  9. Joy says

    October 09, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Yum! I love German Chocolate Cake! Now I just need someone to have a birthday so I have a good excuse to make this 😉 Pinning!

    Reply
  10. Audrey says

    October 09, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    I haven't had this in so long. Your recipe looks divine. I love the coconut pecan topping.

    Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays.

    Reply
  11. carolyn | homework says

    October 10, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful project on The Inspiration Board at homework. I loved your project and featured you today!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    carolyn ~ homework

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 11, 2014 at 9:25 am

      Aww. Thank YOU for hosting the party every week, featuring me, and stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Angie says

    October 11, 2014 at 11:31 am

    This looks so delicious! I found your lovely blog on Serenity Saturday.
    Thanks
    Angie
    PS - I also wanted to invite you to the "Great Blog Train" (blog hop) - we are travelling to Colorado Springs CO this month. http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2014/10/the-great-blog-train-22-giveaway.html

    Reply
  13. Tammy @ creativekkids says

    October 11, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    My dad would love this cake! I am pinning it, and I wanted you to know that your post received 12 clicks on the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party last week and will be featured on Monday's party on all the blogs hosting the party. Thanks for linking up!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      October 11, 2014 at 3:05 pm

      Thank you so much! And thanks for hosting the party every week! I really enjoy joining in!

      Reply
  14. Debbie W. says

    October 12, 2014 at 7:30 pm

    Sounds sooooo good. Mom always made them for us. I've never tried it. Now is the time.

    Reply
  15. Sinea Pies says

    October 13, 2014 at 7:48 am

    German Chocolate cake is my all-time favorite. This is getting pinned for sure! I host the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop on Ducks 'n a Row. We go live Tuesday evenings at 7pm EDT. Would love it i if you'd stop by and share this.

    Reply
  16. Jennifer Dawn says

    October 14, 2014 at 11:39 pm

    This looks amazing! Well done! I'm featuring it at this week's link party! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2014/10/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-112.html

    Reply
  17. Mila says

    October 16, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Inviting you to share your cake with my fall themed party Big Autumn Bash 🙂 :
    http://milaslittlethings.com/2014/10/big-autumn-bash-the-link-party.html

    xx
    Mila
    milaslittlethings.com
    [email protected]

    Reply
  18. Angie says

    November 05, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    Congrats - You are the "featured caboose" today on the November "Great Blog Train" blog hop! I hope that you stop by & hop on board - we are travelling to Alaska this month!
    Thanks
    Angie
    http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2014/11/the-great-blog-train-23-giveaway.html

    Reply
  19. Sally says

    September 20, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    I made this today, and it tastes good, but it didn't rise right. Any ideas of what went wrong?? :/
    Plus, I made it in 2-9" pans and it was way too much batter for the two pans.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      September 22, 2017 at 7:56 am

      I'm guessing you either over-mixed, your egg whites weren't stiff enough, or your baking soda was no good, but it's hard to say without actually seeing. The directions also do say you need THREE 8 or 9 inch pans.

      Reply
  20. Nicole E Harris says

    September 02, 2019 at 11:15 pm

    I've made this cake several times now. loved by all of my family and friends. wish I could post the pic of the results. Thank you for this amazing recipe.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      September 03, 2019 at 9:48 am

      I'm so glad you love it! We love it too! I make it at least twice per year for birthdays! If you have an instagram, you can post it there and tag #TheGraciousWife so we can all see!

      Reply
  21. Kathy says

    August 25, 2022 at 2:57 pm

    Interesting tidbit. The cake isn’t really German. The man that made the chocolate’s name was German. So the name of the chocolate is “German’s chocolate” cake. People who use dark chocolate are not making German’s chocolate cake.

    Reply
  22. Kali Alexandria says

    October 11, 2022 at 8:59 am

    Such a tasty german cake recipe! Making this for my hubby's bday, thank you!!

    Reply
  23. Dana Sandonato says

    October 11, 2022 at 9:04 am

    Totally had no idea this dessert wasn't German. Today I learned. Lol. What I also learned is that I can now make a mean German Chocolate Cake thanks to you! This was so simple to follow, and I'm not much of a baker. Actually really enjoyed the process with this one. And, of course, the result 😉

    Reply
  24. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    October 11, 2022 at 10:04 am

    This cake is so delicious. I really love the combination of chocolate and coconut and can't resist another slice!

    Reply
  25. Patty at Spoonabilities says

    November 09, 2022 at 12:58 pm

    This definitely sounds like the best German Chocolate Cake. It looks sooooo rich and moist. And those amazing layers of sweet and gooey coconut pecan frosting. YES PLEASE!

    Reply
  26. Robin Gagnon says

    November 09, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    This cake was delicious and moist. I love that it had plenty of the icing mixture too!

    Reply
  27. Luci's Morsels says

    November 09, 2022 at 1:25 pm

    I love the history of the cake! I had NO idea!!!

    Reply
  28. Charles says

    November 09, 2022 at 2:16 pm

    Fun fact about the origination of the German Chocolate Cake! This looks sooo Good!
    I will definitely be on my Thanksgiving menu. Thank You!

    Reply
  29. Stephanie Sandstone says

    November 09, 2022 at 2:59 pm

    Oh my goodness. I want to eat that frosting with a spoon! That is the most delicious looking german chocolate cake I've ever seen. Can't wait to try it out on my family!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Picture of Michelle Medlin, The Gracious Wife

Hello! I'm Michelle!
I'm a comfort food lover and self-taught cook with five amazing kids and a firefighter husband, surviving mostly on coffee. I love to create easy and delicious family recipes, and share creative family tips I've learned along the way.
Welcome to The Gracious Wife!
MORE ABOUT ME>>

Spoon taking a bite out of curried carrot soup in a black matte bowl topped with a drizzle of cream, red pepper flakes, and fresh cilantro with a bunch of fresh cilantro and a linen napkin behind.

Curried Carrot Soup

Plate full of pan fried catfish next to lemon wedges next to a linen

Southern Pan Fried Catfish

A spoon taking a large scoop of turkey tetrazzini from a casserole dish

Turkey Tetrazzini

A red stuffed pepper topped with melted cheese and freshly chopped parsley with a bite taken out on a small white plate next to a fork.

Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers

Sloppy joe with a toasted bun sitting on a small plate in front of a Crock Pot

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Italian Beef Sandwich topped with provolone and giardiniera on a black plate with a second sandwich sitting behind.

Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

More Favorite Recipes

What's Trending Now:

  • A corner slice of chicken pot pie with golden crust on a small plate with a fork with a bite on it, on a rustic wood background with a striped linen The BEST Chicken Pot Pie
  • Biscuits stacked on a black matte plate on a white rustic wood background Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
  • Chicken Gnocchi Soup in a white bowl with a rustic wood background and breadsticks in a white and blue striped linen behind it. Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
  • Egg salad sandwich cut diagonally with the halves stacked on top of each other on a plate on a rustic wood background. Classic Egg Salad
  • Blueberry Cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream on a small white plate and the full cobbler in the background Blueberry Cobbler

Footer

  • About The Gracious Wife
  • Contact Us
  • Copyright Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure

You can find me here too!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Disclosure

The Gracious Wife is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. All our thoughts and opinions are our own and we are not paid for or mandated to provide a positive review.

2022© The Medlin Group
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Copyright © 2023 The Gracious Wife ·

13.9K shares
13.9K shares