Description
Indulgent German Chocolate Cake brings layers of rich cocoa, coconut, and pecan perfection to dessert lovers’ tables. Sweet memories and classic comfort merge in this irresistible Southern-style treat you’ll savor down to the last delectable crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 1.75 cups (415 ml) all-purpose flour
- 0.75 cup (180 ml) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Sugar Ingredients:
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220 g) packed brown sugar
Wet and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coconut-Pecan Filling Ingredients:
- 1 (14 ounces/400 g) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup (80 g) shredded coconut
- 0.5 cup (60 g) chopped pecans
Chocolate Ganache Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 8 ounces (225 g) semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the cake foundation by combining dry ingredients in a mixing vessel, ensuring flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt are thoroughly integrated.
- Whisk liquid components separately, blending milk, oil, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and egg until smoothly emulsified.
- Gently fold wet mixture into dry ingredients, stirring minimally to maintain cake’s delicate texture.
- Distribute batter evenly across two pre-greased circular baking vessels, creating uniform layers.
- Roast in a preheated oven at 350°F for approximately 30-35 minutes, verifying doneness with a wooden pick.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling platforms to reach ambient temperature.
- Craft luxurious coconut-pecan filling by combining sweetened condensed milk with shredded coconut and toasted pecan fragments.
- Construct silky chocolate ganache by heating cream until it approaches boiling, then incorporating chocolate chips and stirring until glossy and uniform.
- Position initial cake layer on serving platter, generously spreading coconut-pecan mixture across surface.
- Crown with second cake layer, cascading warm ganache over entire dessert, permitting elegant drips along edges.
- Embellish with additional coconut shreds, chopped pecans, or delicate chocolate curls.
- Chill for one hour to solidify layers and enhance flavor complexity before presenting.
Notes
- Adjust cocoa powder for richer or milder chocolate flavor by increasing or decreasing quantity based on personal preference.
- Swap vegetable oil with melted butter for a more traditional, richer cake texture and enhanced buttery taste.
- Toast pecans and coconut briefly before adding to filling to amplify their nutty, caramelized flavors and create deeper complexity.
- Create gluten-free version by replacing all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring same moisture and structural integrity.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 42 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg