German Cake

German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Hello! We are going to prepare a delicious German Cake, a dessert that combines layers of moist chocolate with a creamy coconut and pecan filling. This cake is perfect for any celebration and is sure to delight the whole family due to its delicious texture and flavor inspired by German Baking.

Preparation time

These are the times for you to organize yourself and enjoy the process without rushing:

• Preparation: 25 minutes
• Cooking: 35 minutes
• Total: 60 minutes
• Servings: 8 to 10
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Ingredients

For the cake

• 1 cup of butter
• 2 cups of sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups wheat flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 100 g semi-sweet chocolate

For the filling and frosting

• 1 can evaporated milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 cup of sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

If you don't have plain flour, you can use all-purpose flour and adjust the amount slightly if the batter is too liquid. If you can't find whipping cream, heavy cream is a good substitute to add creaminess.

Utensils we will use

• Large mixing bowl
• Wire whisk or electric beaters
• Cake pans (can be round 22 cm or rectangular)
• Cake knife
• Spoon or spatula for mixing and spreading
• Saucepan for preparing the topping
• Sieve for sifting flour

Preparation

1. Preparation of the cake

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C while you start preparing the mixture so it reaches the proper temperature.
2. Butter and sugar mixture: In a bowl, place the room temperature butter and beat it together with the sugar with a wire whisk until you get a creamy and smooth mixture.
3. Add eggs: Incorporate the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition so they integrate perfectly with the butter and sugar.
4. Include cream, vanilla, and chocolate: Add the liquid cream, vanilla extract, and previously melted or small pieces of chocolate. Mix without overbeating.
5. Add dry ingredients: Sift the flour, cornstarch, and baking soda over the previous mixture. Fold in with enveloping movements to prevent the cake from becoming tough.
6. Pour into mold: Grease and flour the mold to prevent sticking. Pour the mixture and level with a spatula.
7. Bake: Place on the central oven rack and bake for 35 minutes. To check if it's ready, insert a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the cake is perfect.
8. Let cool: Remove the cake and let it rest out of the mold to cool completely before cutting.

2. Preparation of the coconut and pecan filling

1. Mix evaporated milk and egg yolks: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the evaporated milk, egg yolks, and sugar.
2. Whisk constantly: Stir continuously with a whisk to prevent lumps from forming or sticking to the bottom, until the mixture becomes creamy.
3. Incorporate butter and vanilla: Add the butter and vanilla extract and continue mixing until the mixture thickens a bit more.
4. Add coconut and walnuts: Remove from heat and add the shredded coconut along with the chopped walnuts. Mix to fully integrate and let cool.

3. Assembling the cake

1. Cut the cake into layers: With a serrated knife, divide the cake into 4 horizontal layers of the same thickness.
2. Fill the layers: Place a layer on the plate, generously spread the coconut and walnut filling, and repeat with each layer until finishing with the last layer also covered with filling.
3. Decorate: For a special finish, you can add walnuts, shredded coconut, and melted chocolate on top before refrigerating.
4. Refrigerate: Leave the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so that the filling sets and the flavors meld.

To finish and serve

Before serving, remove the cake from the refrigerator and let it rest for a few minutes at room temperature so that the sponge cake is soft when cutting. You can accompany it with coffee or tea to enjoy the contrast of sweet and bitter. This particular cake is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 450 kcal per serving
• Proteins: 5 g
• Fats: 25 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g

These values are approximate and may vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

5 keys to make the German Chocolate Cake perfect

• Control the oven temperature: An oven that is too hot can burn the outside and leave the center of the cake raw.
• Do not overmix the batter: When adding the flour, mix gently to maintain the fluffiness of the sponge cake.
• Cut the cake cold: To get clean layers, make sure the cake is very cold when cutting it.
• Use fresh shredded coconut: The flavor and texture are more noticeable with fresh or good quality coconut than with cooked coconut.
• Let the cake rest in refrigeration: This helps the filling set and the flavors blend better.

When is it ideal to enjoy German Chocolate Cake?

This cake is especially enjoyed at anniversaries and family celebrations where dessert is the star. Its combination of Bavarian Sweets with the German Flavor make it perfect for moments when you want to impress without complications. It is also a great companion for coffee afternoons where you are looking for a traditional and comforting sweet treat.

Comparison between German Chocolate Cake and other classics

Share your experience

Did you already prepare this German Cake? Tell us how it turned out for you, if you tried the traditional version with coconut and walnuts or if you dared to try a different filling like chocolate. Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. Leave your comment and share your own little tricks!

Culinary glossary for German Chocolate Cake

• Wire whisk: Manual tool with thin wires for mixing and aerating ingredients.
• Sift: Pass the flour through a fine sieve to aerate it and prevent lumps.
• Cornstarch: Fine flour that helps give softness and lightness to the cake.
• Whipping cream: Liquid cream with high fat content, used to give moisture and richness to the dough.
• Layer cut: Horizontally divide a cake to fill between its parts with sauce or cream.

To discover other sweet recipes you can enjoy, feel free to explore from a triple chocolate cake with raspberries up to an elegant mocha hazelnut and red berry cake. And if you're looking to innovate in your meetings, a blueberry cake with lavender is an excellent option.