Homemade German Chocolate Cake

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Homemade German Chocolate Cake: A Classic Dessert with a Rich Coconut-Pecan Soul

Homemade German Chocolate Cake is a timeless American dessert that balances deep chocolate flavor with a luxuriously sweet coconut-pecan frosting. Despite its name, the cake isn’t German in origin—it was named after Samuel German, who developed a mild baking chocolate for Baker’s Chocolate Company in the 1850s. What truly sets this cake apart is its tender, moist chocolate layers paired with a caramel-like frosting filled with toasted pecans and chewy coconut. Making it from scratch may take a little time, but each step is simple and deeply rewarding.

Ingredients Overview

For the Chocolate Cake

Unsweetened or German’s sweet chocolate
Hot water
All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter, softened
Granulated sugar
Eggs, separated
Vanilla extract
Buttermilk

For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting

Evaporated milk
Granulated sugar
Egg yolks
Unsalted butter
Vanilla extract
Sweetened shredded coconut
Chopped pecans

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate

Begin by chopping the chocolate into small pieces and placing it in a heat-safe bowl. Pour hot water over the chocolate and let it sit for a minute, then stir gently until smooth and glossy. Set this aside to cool slightly. This step ensures the chocolate blends evenly into the batter without seizing.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these ingredients ahead of time helps distribute the leavening evenly, resulting in a cake that rises uniformly and has a tender crumb.