German Chocolate Cake

This all-American favorite hails from Texas rather than Germany, because the original version of the recipe called for “German’s” brand baking chocolate. Moist chocolate cake is layered with delicious coconut-pecan filling and topped with creamy chocolate ganache frosting.

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  • This recipe for German Chocolate cake is OUTSTANDING!!!! The cake is so moist and topping so delicious !! Thank you Swans Down! I’m sure the softness of this cake flour contributed to the great texture!

  • The flavor of this cake is excellent. This cake is at once moist, light and crumbly. The bottom layer kind of squished down under the weight of the other layers and filling. The filling is delicious as well, though it did thicken quite a bit as it cooled, so caution against cooking too long.

    • Hi PCW, You can replace some of the cocoa powder with semi-sweet chocolate. It's recommended to use a 1 ounce piece of un-sweet or semi-sweet chocolate in place of 3 Tbsp. cocoa. Remember, the chocolate will have oil in it so you may want to omit 1 tablespoon from the oil listed in the ingredients. Happy baking!

    • Hi Bonnie, Bundt pans can be a challenge. We recommend that you grease and flour or spray with baking spray very well to make sure you catch all sides of the flutes. Cool for 10 - 15 minutes then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. Happy baking!

  • My husband loves German chocolate cake, but does not like the taste of coffee. Can I omit the coffee from this recipe, and if yes, should more buttermilk or some other liquid replace the coffee?

    • Hi Patricia, German Chocolate is an all American favorite! You can certainly substitute the 1/3 cup hot coffee with 1/3 cup hot water and have a delicious chocolate cake. Happy Baking!

  • Brutal honesty. This is not a good recipe for German chocolate cake. The ganache is bitter. I ended up putting it on the stove and adding sugar, but still. I won't be making this again. It should not be a 3 layer.

    • Hi Shelby, We are so sorry to hear that you are disappointed with the results of this recipe. Your comments were forwarded to The Kitchen for their review and your information was forward to our Customer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out. Happy Baking!

    • Hi Martina, This recipe is written to hand mix the butter but you can certainly use a KitchenAid mixer. Please note that the German Chocolate Cake batter is on the thinner side, you will want to keep the mixer on the lowest speed and be careful to not overmix. Happy Baking!

  • What kind of coffee would you recommended ? I've never succeeded in making a good chocolate cake. Also I use a keurig, is that ok?

  • I like making Bundt cakes! I have been playing around with the baking time. Please include all baking times!

    • Hi Laura, This is a delicious German Chocolate Cake recipe! It will make a lovely Bundt cake. When baking at 350℉ in a 10" Bundt pan, bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a tester inserted in center comes out clean. We will certainly pass your suggestion to add alternate pan baking times on to The Kitchen. Happy Baking!