German Chocolate Cake With Coconut Frosting

German chocolate cake is a classic cake with two chocolate layers and coconut frosting.

The moist chocolate cake is a favorite around the holidays and super easy to make. If you’re a chocolate lover, this cake is for you.

Homemade German Chocolate Cake

I haven’t always been a fan of coconut, but I’ve started to like it more in the past few years.

And this homemade coconut pecan frosting is so rich and delicious on top and in the middle of the chocolate cake. It adds a creamy, buttery richness to the cake.

This also has one ingredient that makes recipes taste more moist and flavorful–buttermilk. One cup of buttermilk can make a cake pop.

I don’t make a lot of cakes, and I’m not always great at making them. But because this is such an easy recipe, it’s now one of my favorite cake recipes.

Even with two cake layers, it’s a very easy recipe.

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make German Chocolate Cake?

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Vegetable oil
• Buttermilk
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Hot water
• Evaporated milk
• Egg yolks
• Butter
• Shredded sweet coconut
• Chopped pecans

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

How To Make Homemade German Chocolate Cake?

1. Start by greasing two 8-inch cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper. (I used round cake pans and cut parchment paper circles so the cake would not stick).
2. Add the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl and whisk.
3. Next, add the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Pour the hot water into the cake mixture and mix well.
5. Now, pour the cake mixture into the two cake pans and bake for 28-30 minutes at 350 degrees.
6. After the cakes bake, grab a medium saucepan and add the butter, vanilla extract, sugar, egg yolks, and evaporated milk and mix well.
7. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes until the frosting thickens, whisking often.
8. Remove the saucepan and stir in the shredded coconut and chopped pecans.
9. Place the bottom layer of the cake on a cake pedestal and spread part of the frosting over the top.
10. Add the second layer of cake and spread the remainder of the frosting on top of the cake.

Step-By-Step Directions for Homemade German Chocolate Cake

Start by adding the all-purpose flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl.

Whisk all of the dry ingredients together.

Next, start adding the wet ingredients, including the eggs and vegetable oil.

Pour the buttermilk into the bowl and add the vanilla extract and mix well.

Finally, pour the boiling water into the batter and mix well.

For best results, be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to get everything combined.

Pour the cake batter into the two greased pans and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Homemade Coconut Frosting

Grab a medium-sized saucepan and add the butter, sugar, and evaporated milk, and mix well.

Next, add the egg yolks and vanilla extract and whisk.

Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes until thick, whisking often.

The frosting will be almost as thick as pudding, but not quite as thick.

Once the frosting thickens, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the shredded coconut and chopped pecans.

Place the cake on top of a cake stand and spread part of the frosting on the cake.

Add the second layer of cake to the top and spread the remaining frosting on top of the cake.

I didn’t cut the top of the cake off to level it out because I would simply end up messing up the cake and making it look awful.

I just added the cake, and it may not have been the most beautiful cake, but it sure was delicious.

Add a few pecans to the top, and you have a beautiful and incredibly tasty German chocolate cake.

I honestly don’t know if the best part is the cake or the frosting.

The recipe creates a fluffy cake that is moist and so flavorful.

What Makes German Chocolate Cake Different?

German chocolate cake has a unique frosting that includes coconut and pecans. German chocolate cake is typically a bit sweeter than chocolate cake.

German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Check out the recipe card below, grab those ingredients, and start baking! This is a great cake and I think you’ll really love it.

Then, share your comments below and share a picture of your cake on the Pinterest Pin!  If you made any changes or added something different, be sure to share it with us so we can try it, too!

Find more delicious recipes at Julia’s Simply Southern, and South Your Mouth.