Classic German Chocolate Cake

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Cakes cupcakes Vanilla: Extract Medium

A three-layer cake made with mild sweet chocolate, buttermilk and whipped egg whites, filled and topped with a cooked caramel-like coconut and pecan frosting. The sides are traditionally left bare. Makes 12 slices in about 1 hr 35 min.

Prep 45 min

Cook 50 min

Total 1 hr 35 min

Yield 12 slices

Ingredients

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slices

4 oz (115 g)sweet baking chocolate, chopped
½ cup (120 ml)boiling water
1 cup (227 g)unsalted butter, softened, for the cake
2 cups (400 g)granulated sugar, for the cake
4 (200 g)large eggs, separated
1 tsp (5 ml)pure vanilla extract, for the cake
2 ¼ cups (260 g)cake flour, sifted
1 tsp (5 g)baking soda
½ tsp (3 g)fine salt
1 cup (240 ml)buttermilk, room temperature
1 ½ cups (354 ml)evaporated milk
1 cup (200 g)granulated sugar, for the coconut-pecan frosting
4 (72 g)egg yolks
½ cup (115 g)unsalted butter, cubed, for the coconut-pecan frosting
1 tsp (5 ml)pure vanilla extract, for the coconut-pecan frosting
2 ¼ cups (190 g)sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup (120 g)pecans, chopped and toasted

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Instructions

Heat the oven to 350 F (175 C). Grease three 9-inch (23 cm) pans, line with parchment and grease again.
Melt the chocolate in the boiling water, stirring until smooth. Cool until lukewarm.
Beat the butter and 300 g of the sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the yolks one at a time, then the vanilla and the cooled chocolate.
Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the batter in three parts alternating with the buttermilk, mixing until just smooth.
Whip the egg whites to soft peaks, add the remaining 100 g sugar and whip to stiff peaks. Fold gently into the batter in two additions.
Divide among the pans and bake 28 to 32 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pans, then turn out and cool completely.
For the frosting, whisk the evaporated milk, sugar, yolks and butter in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, about 10 to 12 minutes until it thickens and bubbles, reaching at least 160 F (71 C).
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, coconut and pecans. Cool, stirring now and then, until thick and spreadable, about 40 minutes.
Place one layer on a plate and spread with a third of the frosting. Repeat with the second layer and top with the last layer and remaining frosting, spreading it over the top only.

Tips

Use mild sweet chocolate, not unsweetened or bittersweet, or the cake will taste too bitter.
Toast the pecans first for a deeper, nuttier frosting.
Stir the frosting often while cooking to avoid scorching on the bottom.
Cook the coconut-pecan frosting until it is thick and bubbling so the egg yolks reach at least 160 F (71 C); refrigerate leftovers.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make classic german chocolate cake?

Plan on 45 minutes of prep and 50 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 12 slices.

How should I store classic german chocolate cake?

Refrigerate because of the egg-yolk frosting, up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving.

Can I make classic german chocolate cake ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, for the cake (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Despite the name, German chocolate cake is American; it is named for German's Sweet Chocolate, a baking chocolate created for Baker's Chocolate Company, and became popular in the 1950s. Serve it with coffee.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

656 Calories / serving

37.1g Fat

74.1g Carbs

10.3g Protein

54.1g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~7872 cal · 445g fat · 889g carbs · 124g protein · 649g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.