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German Chocolate Cake Recipe

German Chocolate Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Many folks in our area of Ohio are of German descent, so this recipe is especially appropriate for our region. This cake is my husband's favorite!

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German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling

Yield: 12 Servings

30 30 60

Ingredients

4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup water
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
FROSTING:
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups evaporated milk
3/4 cup butter
5 egg yolks, beaten
2 cups flaked coconut
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
ICING:
1 teaspoon shortening
2 ounces semisweet chocolate

Directions

Line three greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper. Grease waxed paper and set aside. In small saucepan, melt chocolate with water over low heat; cool.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 4 egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
In a small bowl and with clean beaters, beat the 4 egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into the creamed mixture; fold in remaining whites.
Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 24-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a small saucepan, heat the sugar, milk, butter and egg yolks over medium-low heat until mixture is thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Stir in the coconut, pecans and vanilla extract. Cool until thick enough to spread. Spread a third of the frosting over each cake layer and stack the layers.
In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth; drizzle over cake. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 slice equals 910 calories, 53 g fat (28 g saturated fat), 237 mg cholesterol, 511 mg sodium, 103 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 11 g protein.

Originally published as German Chocolate Cake in Country December/January 1991, p47

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Reviews for German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake

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Reviewed on May. 14, 2013 by shiny0torchic

My fiance rated this recipe a perfect ten a after I made it for his birthday for the traditional slice of German Chocolate Cake. He said that it tastes just like the cake Hus mom used to make for him. I will definitely keep this recipe for next year.

Reviewed on Apr. 16, 2013 by Chlr416

This was amazing! Easy to make, not complicated, and comes out moist. I will be making this again. Thank you!

Reviewed on Apr. 10, 2013 by TimedOut

The frosting recipe is delicious. The only change I made was to use brown sugar instead of white, which gave it a rich caramel flavor. This is a keeper!

Reviewed on Mar. 17, 2013 by Vasiliki1

Best cake I've ever baked. I substituted 1 c. Light brown sugar for 1 c. regular in cake..and also the same in the frosting. I used Light Buttermilk and since Presto cake flour has the salt..no addl was needed. Simply a real delicious, moist cake for a special occasion.

Reviewed on Feb. 08, 2013 by acavanaugh

But it isn't German!!! That was just the last name of the man who first baked it!!!

Reviewed on Feb. 01, 2013 by gillettcookie

every year for my boyfriend's birthday his mom makes him a german chocolate cake, his favorite. This year I made him this one... oh my goodness. Let's just say I'm glad it's a "once-a-year" treat around here!! So light and moist... I am a firm believer in that cake flour now!! :)

Reviewed on Jan. 20, 2013 by joybear13

Make this every year for my husband.

Reviewed on Dec. 19, 2012 by svangilder

Fabulously moist and delicious! It took me longer than the recipe states to complete, but the results were amazing!

Reviewed on Dec. 11, 2012 by JGommoll

Hands down, the best cake I have ever baked. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

Reviewed on Nov. 20, 2012 by saucyraina

My mom's favorite is german chocolate, and aparently this one is a winner because I've made it for her for the last three years! It's super easy and very moist and delicious.

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