German Chocolate Cake is a rich, decadent cake made with layers of chocolate cake, a sweet coconut-pecan frosting, and a soft, moist crumb.
Ingredients:
For the cake:
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
For the coconut-pecan frosting:
1 ½ cups evaporated milk
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter
3 large egg yolks
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Make the cake: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, alternating between them, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Once mixed, stir in the boiling water to make the batter smooth and runny.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
6. Make the frosting: In a saucepan, combine evaporated milk, sugar, butter, and egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (about 12 minutes).
7. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, coconut, and pecans. Let it cool to room temperature.
8. Assemble the cake: Once the cake layers are cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of coconut-pecan frosting on top. Repeat with the second layer, frosting it as well, and then top with the third layer. Spread the remaining frosting on top of the final layer and on the sides.
Enjoy!