original recipe for "german chocolate cake"

somewhere, AR
Updated on Oct 29, 2025

We love German Chocolate Cake. In fact, it is my oldest son's favorite cake. I posted a bit of history about it on some of the Just A Pinch town square groups: http://www.justapinch.com/groups/discuss/20612/history-of-german-chocolate-cake This is a recipe from my German Newsletter for the "original recipe." Photos are also from the newsletter (not my photos).

prep time 10 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake
yield 12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • FOR CAKE:
  • 1 package baker's german’s sweet chocolate (4 oz.)
  • 1/2 cup water, boiling
  • 1 cup butter or margarine
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 - eggs, separated
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour, all-purpose
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • FOR FILLING AND TOPPING: COCONUT-PECAN FROSTING
  • 4 - egg yolks
  • 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla; then add in 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
  • 1 package (7 oz.) baker's angel flake coconut (about 2-2/3 cups)
  • 1 1/2 cups cups planters chopped pecans
  • CHOCOLATE FROSTING (OPTIONAL)
  • 1 stick 1/2 cup (125 grams ) butter , softened
  • 9 - squares (50 ml) baker's german's chocolate, melted and cooled
  • 1 1/2 cups (350 gr.)powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons (45 ml) milk
  • - *for a richer chocolate flavor, add cocoa powder. or buy more german's chocolate

How To Make original recipe for "german chocolate cake"

  • Step 1
    Melt chocolate in water and cool.
  • Step 2
    Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolks. Stir in vanilla and chocolate.
  • Step 3
    Mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk.
  • Step 4
    Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter.
  • Step 5
    Pour batter into three 9-inch layer pans, lined on bottoms with waxed paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly pressed in center.
  • Step 6
    Remove and cool on rack for 15 minutes.
  • Step 7
    FILLING AND TOPPING - COCONUT-PECAN FROSTING: Beat egg yolks, milk and vanilla in large saucepan with wire whisk until well blended. Add sugar and butter; cook on medium heat 12 min. or until thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  • Step 8
    ASSEMBLY: Divide the filling evenly between the 3 cakes, putting the 1st layer down, then spread the filling evenly. Repeat with the other layer(s).
  • Step 9
    FOR MINI-CAKES: I did bake the cakes in mini-muffin tins, but I wanted a cutter that would make the cake have straight sides. Find something that works, I used a pastry tip. I frosted the cakes and then added a small cut of Marachino cherry. This makes a wonderful presentation of this popular cake.
  • Step 10
    *For the optional chocolate frosting just mix as any other frosting. For Garnish you could place pecan halves around the top edge. You can also add a maraschino cherry half also next to the pecan half.

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)
calories: 933kcal, carbohydrates: 97g, cholesterol: 130mg, fat: 58g, fiber: 5g, protein: 10g, saturated fat: 21g, sodium: 585mg, sugar: 75g, unsaturated fat: 37g
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

Discover More

Category: Cakes
Category: Chocolate
Keyword: #coconut
Keyword: #butter
Keyword: #eggs
Keyword: #Vanilla
Keyword: #pecans
Keyword: #milk
Keyword: #flour
Method: Bake
Culture: German
Ingredient: Flour

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