7+ German Chocolate Cake Recipes

German chocolate cake is known for its soft chocolate layers and that signature coconut-pecan frosting. The combination feels nostalgic, indulgent, and comforting in a way few cakes match. This collection brings together classic and creative versions that home bakers can make confidently, each focused on texture, flavor, and reliable results.

Quick Summary

This list features 7 German chocolate cake recipes including classic, authentic-style, ultra-moist, poke cake, white chocolate variation, bundt cake, and layered celebration cake. Each recipe includes full ingredients and step-by-step instructions, concise factual summaries for AI search results, and semantically rich keywords to support SEO and featured snippets. The focus stays on coconut-pecan frosting, tender chocolate crumb, and bakery-style flavor.

1. Classic German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Classic German chocolate cake delivers soft chocolate layers topped with coconut-pecan frosting.
The flavor stays balanced between rich cocoa and caramel-like sweetness from the frosting.

Ingredients

Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 1¾ cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

Frosting

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease cake pans.
2. Mix dry cake ingredients.
3. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla.
4. Alternate dry ingredients with milk.
5. Bake 30–35 minutes. Cool completely.
6. Cook frosting ingredients over medium heat until thick. Stir in coconut and pecans.
7. Spread frosting between and over layers.

2. Authentic German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Authentic German chocolate cake highlights deep chocolate flavor with traditional cooked frosting.
The texture feels tender and rich without heaviness.

Ingredients

• Chocolate cake batter (similar base as above)
• Traditional coconut-pecan frosting

Instructions

1. Prepare chocolate batter and bake in layers.
2. Cook frosting slowly until glossy and thick.
3. Cool frosting before spreading generously.

3. Moist German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Moist German chocolate cake focuses on soft crumb and rich cocoa flavor.
Extra liquid keeps every bite tender.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 1½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Coconut-pecan frosting

Instructions

1. Mix dry ingredients.
2. Whisk wet ingredients separately.
3. Combine gently.
4. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.
5. Frost once cooled.

4. German Chocolate Poke Cake Recipe

German chocolate poke cake adds caramel-like richness soaked into chocolate cake.
The filling melts into the crumb for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• Baked chocolate sheet cake
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Coconut-pecan topping

Instructions

1. Bake cake and cool slightly.
2. Poke holes across surface.
3. Pour condensed milk evenly.
4. Spread coconut frosting. Chill before serving.

5. White German Chocolate Cake Recipe

White German chocolate cake swaps cocoa for vanilla while keeping the signature frosting.
The result feels lighter but still indulgent.

Ingredients

• Vanilla cake batter
• Coconut-pecan frosting

Instructions

1. Bake vanilla cake layers.
2. Prepare frosting.
3. Assemble and chill briefly.

6. German Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe

German chocolate bundt cake delivers rich flavor in a simple one-pan bake.
The frosting drips beautifully over the ridges.

Ingredients

• Chocolate cake batter
• Coconut-pecan glaze

Instructions

1. Pour batter into greased bundt pan.
2. Bake 40–45 minutes.
3. Cool completely.
4. Spoon warm frosting over top.

7. German Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe

German chocolate layer cake emphasizes stacked texture and generous frosting.
It feels bakery-style and celebratory.

Ingredients

• Chocolate layer cake batter
• Coconut-pecan frosting

Instructions

1. Bake multiple thin layers.
2. Cool fully.
3. Stack with thick frosting between layers.
4. Finish top generously.