Sweet German chocolate cake recipe

⏱️ Prep Time

• 30 minutes

🔥 Cook Time

• 30–35 minutes

⏲️ Total Time

• About 1 hour 5 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

🎂 Cake Batter:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water or coffee (enhances chocolate flavor)

🥥 Coconut-Pecan Frosting:

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans

👩🏽‍🍳 Directions

🎂 Make the Cake

1. Preheat Oven
   
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Grease and flour two or three round cake pans.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients
   
   • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Mix Wet Ingredients
   
   • Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla to dry ingredients.
   • Mix until smooth.
7. Add Hot Liquid
   
   • Slowly stir in hot water or coffee (batter will be thin — that’s normal).
9. Bake
   
   • Pour batter into pans evenly.
   • Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
11. Cool
    
    • Let cakes cool completely before frosting.

🥥 Make the Coconut-Pecan Frosting

1. In a saucepan, combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, and butter.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened (about 10–12 minutes).
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, coconut, and pecans.
4. Let frosting cool until spreadable.

🎂 Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer down and spread frosting on top.
2. Add next layer and repeat.
3. Spread frosting on top (traditionally not fully frosted on sides for Southern style).