Homemade German Chocolate Cake

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🍫 Homemade German Chocolate Cake: A Rich, Decadent Classic You’ll Love

If you’re craving a show-stopping dessert that’s moist, chocolaty, and irresistibly sweet, look no further than the Homemade German Chocolate Cake. Despite its name, this cake didn’t actually originate in Germany — it was named after Samuel German, who developed the type of dark baking chocolate used in the recipe. This classic American favorite is famous for its soft chocolate layers filled and topped with a gooey, buttery coconut-pecan frosting.

Here’s how to make this beloved dessert from scratch — step by step.

🧁 Ingredients

For the Cake Layers:

1 bar (4 oz) German’s sweet baking chocolate (or dark chocolate, if unavailable)
½ cup boiling water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk

For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:

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

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Base

Start by breaking the German chocolate into small pieces and placing them in a heatproof bowl. Pour in the boiling water, stirring until the chocolate melts completely. Set it aside to cool — this will form the rich base of your cake.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures even distribution and helps your cake rise properly.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy — this usually takes about 3–4 minutes using an electric mixer. This step traps air in the batter, giving your cake a light and tender texture.