German chocolate cake

German Chocolate Cake: A Decadent Delight with a Rich Heritage

German Chocolate Cake is a luscious, layered dessert famous for its moist chocolate cake and signature coconut-pecan frosting. Despite its name, this cake is not a German creation. It owes its title to Samuel German, the American chocolatier who developed a type of dark baking chocolate for Baker’s Chocolate Company in 1852. The cake gained popularity in the 1950s and has since become a beloved staple of American baking. Let’s explore how to make this indulgent dessert step-by-step.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 4 oz German’s sweet chocolate (melted)

For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ⅓ cups sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

1. Preheat and Prep
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
   In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
   In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla
   Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Incorporate Melted Chocolate
   Mix in the melted German’s sweet chocolate until fully combined.
6. Alternate Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk
   Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
7. Add Boiling Water
   Slowly stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin—this ensures a moist cake.

Step 2: Bake the Cakes

1. Divide and Bake
   Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
2. Bake
   Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Cool
   Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

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