German Chocolate Cake could very well be renamed “Dad’s Birthday Cake” in our family. Mom has made this triple layered goodness most every March, for as long as I can remember. It’s what Dad loves. It’s what Dad gets!
This was my first time creating Dad’s signature cake, however. And my premier with a triple layer cake, too. I didn’t have enough round pans, and needed to run out for a third one. But I knew it would be an investment. An acquired asset for our future’s eating pleasure.
When Mom assembles her German Chocolate Cake, she leaves the sides unadorned of the coconut-pecan frosting. You can see all three layers of sweet chocolate cake, each crowned with that sinfully wonderful frosting, just like what’s shown in the above photo from 1975.
I took the liberty of changing up Mom’s usual look just a bit, by frosting the whole perimeter. I kinda smooshed the frosting on real tight, which made for a more modern looking cake. And it pleased both Dad and Mom just fine. We licked the cake platter clean!
I love you dearly, Dad.
Happy Birthday!
Mom’s German Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 4 oz. Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate
- ½ c. water
- 4 eggs separated
- 2 c. flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 c. butter softened
- 2 c. sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 c. buttermilk
- For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 can 12 oz. evaporated milk
- 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1-1/2 c. sugar
- ¾ c. butter or margarine
- 1 7- oz. pkg. flake coconut about 2-2/3 cups
- 1-1/2 c. chopped pecans
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cover bottoms of three 9″ round cake pans with wax paper and grease the sides of the pan. Set aside.
- Microwave chocolate and water in large microwaveable bowl for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
- Beat egg whites in small bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Set aside. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating until well blended after each addition.
- Add egg whites and stir gently until well blended. Pour evenly into prepared pans.
- Bake 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Immediately run small spatula around cakes in pans. Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting:
- Beat egg yolks, evaporated milk and vanilla in large saucepan with wire whisk until well blended. Add sugar and butter and cook on medium heat 12 minutes, or until thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- Add coconut and pecans. Mix well. Cool to room temperature and of desired spreading consistency.
To Assemble the Cake:
- Place first cake layer on your serving platter. Spread with a thin layer of frosting. Repeat with remaining 2 layers of cake. Then frost the sides. You will need to be conservative to cover all of this area. Alternatively, you can eliminate the frosting on the sides, and only frost the layers and top, as shown in my post’s photo from my dad’s birthday in 1975.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Wonderful Cake!! Congrats :)))
Thank you, Anabela – nice to hear from you!
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. My mother passed away when I was 23, and I never got her German Cake Recipe. She made it alot when I was growing up. I am so happy to have it. Thanks again. Diane
Hello Diane – so nice to hear from you. I do hope you give this a try – I’m sure your mother will be smiling down on you. :)
Oh… that is heavenly!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Thank you, Mary!!
This cake looks amazing! I love your blog and wanted to pass along the Stylish Blog Award to you- http://thiswomancooks.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-got-award.html
Thank you, Christina!
Brenda – I love this post!!! Such sweet connections and memories come with food. Happy birthday to your Dad!
Thank you so much, Robyn. xoxo
I like the way you’ve modernized it by making it all smooth, looks very sleek and elegant!
Thanks, Sylvie. My intentions didn’t start out that way, but I liked where it was going, and just went with it. Was fun!
What a great cake! It sounds divine.
Thank you, Tracy!
What a perfectly lovely cake!! My birthday is in March, also, and I plan to try your Mom’s recipe. BTW, I remember you as you appeared in the photo with your Dad!! I so enjoy your recipes and writing!
Wow – GREAT to hear from you, Linda! I remember you, too. Thank you so much!
Happy Birthday to your Dad. I’m betting that you are going to be delegated to make his birthday cake every year from now on!
Hi Paula! Somehow, it still tastes best when Mom makes it!!! Why is that always the way it is?
BEAUTIFUL cake. I love German Chocolate, so I can’t wait to try this! I’m loving that picture you share. What a great captured moment.
Thank you so much, Naomi.
This looks absolutely divine! My dad loves German Chocolate cake too.
Thanks, Amber. Our dads have good taste. :)
That looks so divine and I don’t even like coconut! :)
Thank you, Wendy. :)
Dad saw your post this morning before I did. You made his day! Great pics too.
Thanks, Mom! xoxo
Yum!!! Looks super! Happy Birthday to your Dad!
Laura Hahn
Hello Laura! I’ll be sure to pass along your birthday greetings!!
Oooh! That is one pretty looking cake, Brenda!
Happy Birthday to your Daddy dearest!
Thank you, dear Ria!
Brenda this sounds delicious!! I might have to make it for my mom. Your pictures are beautiful too!!
You might want to try MY mom’s favorite…….Gooey Upside down German Chocolate Cake http://tidymom.net/2010/gooey-upside-down-german-chocolate-cake/
Thank you, Cheryl! Well, our moms have great German Chocolate taste! Your mom’s version looks great!
This is one of my all time favorite cakes!!
Hello Kristan!
My mom ALWAYS makes German chocolate cake for my dad’s birthday too! Yours looks lovely!
Well, that’s so fun to know! Thanks, Candiss.
GORGEOUS pictures… I love that shot from 1975!! Will have to try this recipe soon!
Thanks much, Amanda. I look forward to your version!!
This German Chocolate Cake looks delectable. My family always loved German Chocolate and yours sounds wonderful. I love your photos.
Thank you so much, Katie – it’s great to hear from you!