This German Chocolate Cake recipe is no joke. Perfectly dense, moist and rich. It'll make your knees weak and have you asking for seconds. I've included some unusual tips to getting this cake perfectly dense.
Better than boxed cake mix
I was never really a fan of German Chocolate Cake until recently. It's my husbands favorite kind of cake, and every year on his birthday he asks for it. Originally I just bought the box mix and frosting and called it a day. It was always "meh".
Then one year, after being less than thrilled with the idea of making and eating yet another sub-par cake, I decided I could do better. Although my first homemade attempt was better than the box version, it still needed plenty of help.
Ingredients for German Chocolate Cake
Cake
- Sugar
- Unsalted butter — room temperature
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs — room temperature
- Cake flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Chocolate pudding mix
- Buttermilk
- Chocolate chips
Glaze
- Sugar
- Buttermilk
- Butter
- Light corn syrup
- Vanilla extract
Frosting
- Evaporated milk — room temp
- Corn starch
- Sugar
- Egg yolks — (beaten) room temperature
- Butter — room temperature
- Vanilla extract
- Chopped pecans — lightly toasted
- Toasted coconut
how to get room temperature ingredients — fast!
Eggs — speed up the process of getting eggs to room temperature by dropping them gently into a bowl or cup full of hot water (not boiling) and let sit 5 minutes. Done!
Yogurt or Milk — To get yogurt to room temperature quickly, simple place in a microwave safe bowl and microwave at 50% power in 15 second intervals, stirring each time.
Butter — the best way to soften butter to room temperature is to get a tall glass and fill with hot water. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes until the glass is hot. Empty the water and turn the glass upside down over the wrapped butter. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. this will gently warm the butter through to the center.
Achieving maximum density
My husbands requirements for cake is that it is delicious and DENSE. The man wants his slice of cake so heavy that you need to work out just to hold the plate up.
The only problem is, no matter how many alterations I made to various recipes, I could not get it anywhere close to dense enough. So this year I made four different variations of the same cake to see which one would work.
Turns out I needed to do ALL the things together to achieve my (his) desired result. So stick with me on this one I know it's quite a few steps but its not difficult, just takes some time.
I modified this recipe from Through Her Looking Glass. The original recipe is for a Bundt cake but I split it up and put it into 4 9-inch cake pans. Feel free to half the recipe to make a simple double layer cake but I think if I'm going to all the trouble to make a cake I want to have extra.
Also feel free to make any frosting that tickles your fancy, but don't skip the glaze, that is what sets this cake apart from any other version and gives it the fudgy denseness that will make your knees weak.
How to store cake
The simplest way to store a frosted cake is at room temperature with the exposed cake covered with foil. This protects most sides of the cake from air. The top is protected by the icing. This will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Cake can also be stored in the refrigerator to help it stay fresh longer. Simply cover cake with foil or a cake cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Freezing chocolate cake can be done, but it requires some preparation. The cake layers should be wrapped separately tightly with saran wrap BEFORE adding the icing. To defrost, simply leave wrapped cake at room temperature 30 minutes. Unwrap the saran wrap and allow cake to fully reach room temperature and then add icing.
Cake can stay fresh in the freezer for up to 4 months! The best way to love your future self is to make this cake now and then frost later.
Dense German Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temp
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 large eggs room temperature
- 2 ½ cups cake flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 packages instant chocolate pudding mix 3.9 ounce each
- 2 ¼ cups buttermilk
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Glaze
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- 2 cups evaporated milk room temp
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 6 egg yolks (beaten) room temp
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temp
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups chopped pecans lightly toasted
- 2 cups shredded or flake coconut lightly toasted
Instructions
Frosting
- Start with the frosting, so it has time to cool.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Place chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until fragrant. About 5-7 minutes. If you're coconut did not come toasted, place it on the same sheet and allow to toast for the same time.
- Combine all other frosting ingredients (not nuts and coconut) in a large pot and bring to a slow boil. Once boiling, stir continuously for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add nuts and coconut. Frosting will thicken as it cools. Set aside.
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 4 cake pans. (Coconut oil or butter work best - just don't use non-stick spray, it doesn't work.)
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sugar, butter and vanilla. Add eggs, mixing after each one.
- In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Alternating between dry ingredients and buttermilk, add to the wet ingredients, mixing well after each addition.
- Add chocolate chips and mix. Distribute evenly between cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes until center bounces back when touched lightly.
Glaze
- Make glaze while cakes are baking.
- Bring all ingredients, except vanilla, to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, stir for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
- Pour glaze over cakes in the pan right out of the oven. Allow cakes to rest and soak up the glaze for 10 minutes.
- When you pop the cakes out of the pan, place between layers of wax paper. Place a cutting board (or other heavy, flat object) on top of cakes and smush them for 1 hour. This keeps the cakes extra dense!
- Assemble the cake with frosting between each layer and all over top and sides. OR wrap each layer in plastic wrap and freeze until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
GEM
Extremely delicious! I'm glad I found this recipe before Thanksgiving. Due to the extreme amount of ingredients for the entire cake, I used a name brand icing to cut down on the costs. I'm sure the posted icing recipe is delicious, however. I'm pleased with the results.
Pauline
I have a question. When creating the glaze for this cake do you cook it until it caramelized and thick or just until the ingredients are melted together and heated? I am looking forward to making this recipe. I can tell it will be delicious. Thank you!
Amy
Just until ingredients are melted together and homogenous. It needs to stay liquid-y in order to be absorbed into the cake.
Cate
I made this cake in a quarter sheet pan. I weighted it with a heavy wooden, slightly smaller, breadboard. It is a deep, dense cake that made my husband very happy. He loves chocolate, but with this frosting… the chocolate is magnificent.
Lynn Tirawi
This was the most delicious cake I have ever had! It puts all the other cakes to Shame!! There is no going back making a regular German choc cake!!!
Your struggles that you went through to make this cake .......was well worth it! I mean you have a master piece!!!
My mom wants this cake every Thanksgiving !!
Thank you!
Lynn
Amy
Thank you so much for your comment! We adore this cake and it makes us so happy when someone feels the same!
Dana L Condron
As a hobby baker, I had a lot of fun and built quite a bit of confidence with this recipe and the results, to quote my wife, were "divine". Here are a few things I will pass along that I feel will help others, in no apparent order. Right off the bat, I'll state this recipe took my 3 hours which didn't include the squish time. When boiling the ingredients for the frosting, as the recipe states, use a '"large" saucepan. With my limited inventory, I used a 2.5-quart saucepan which worked but the occasional splatter from the boiling was a bit scalding on the skin. Next time I'll use my 5-quart saucepan. Going into this recipe, I glazed over part 3 of the "cake" section and as a result, made the alternating mixing of the ingredients much more complex than it should have been. But that's par for the course when you're a guy. I very much like a dense cake so for the squishing of the cake layers, I recommend placing some sort of weight such as a dumbbell, kettlebell or whatnot on top of whatever board you use to get a good squish. This was my first layer cake and had a fun time stacking the layers. I wound up lifting the cake plate about 45 degrees and then with just my hand, I flipped the layer to be onto the plate and subsequent layers. I should have slid a plate under the layer to be applied. I was able to easily push the layer into place once applied. I've been thinking that using a pitchfork style tool (minus the long handle) that has straight tines would be optimal for gentle and accurate layering. I considered using turkey lifters but the tines are too short. To obtain maximum density, cool the cake in the refrigerator overnight. As for the number of servings, as much as I would like to an eighth of this cake per serving, 16 servings are more reasonable and will make the cake last longer. Thank you Amy for your time and perseverance in creating this recipe. I can state that you have created the best German chocolate cake I have ever and ever will taste in my life. You have brought great joy to my family, me and our tummies.
Amy
This has been one of my favorite comments ever! My favorite part is the "pitchfork" idea. Seriously, there should be a kitchen tool like that! I'm so happy that this recipe has brought you all some joy. That is why we do this. And I agree that 1/16th is probably a more reasonable serving, but I can never seem to keep to that. I hope you all enjoy this recipe over and over again!
Barb
Can this be used as a sheet cake? What changes would have to be made?
Amy
Absolutely! Cut the recipe in half. Bake in a 9"x13" baking dish and bake for a little longer (probably close to 40 minutes). The glaze can be poured on top and then iced as usual. Cut into squares and serve!
goioa garrett
This cake is absolutely decadent!!! I followed the directions exactly but bumped it up with 3 high quality chocolates to ensure I got the flavor I wanted. German chocolate has always been one of my favorites and this one does not disappoint. If you have a recipe for an old fashioned coconut cake I'll follow you forever!!!
Amy
I'm so glad you loved it! And I love a good challenge, so I'll get to work on that coconut cake so we can be friends forever!
Maria
So, I've got to be honest..... I've never left a review, until now! I made this cake for my Dad's birthday as German Chocolate is "his" favorite but it was my Mom who fell head over heels in love! She not only ate the majority of the cake but she told every person she could tell. This cake has taken on a life story of its own and when I told her that I'm making it for her birthday, which is this weekend, she became emotional and started clapping her hands while "whooping" it up! hahaha. I cannot say enough about this cake, it is perfection. it literally weighs 6lbs, yes, the weight of a baby and it seems to bring as much joy, as well. Thanks for this recipe. I will not have to make it twice a year, my mom's birthday and my parents anniversary!
Amy
Well, you've done it! You made me cry over a recipe. I'm so thrilled you and your parents have enjoyed this recipe so much. I hope it becomes a family recipe you make for years to come, as it has for us. Happy Birthday to your mom!!!
Elli Friesen
Is the pudding instant or regular? Am more than ready to make this cake(for me)!
Amy
We use instant, but either will work great in this recipe!
Hayley
I am so excited to try this recipe and my mouth is already watering!
What size of pudding do you use in this? I've got 4.3 or 3.9oz. Does it make a difference?
Thanks!
Amy
Hi Hayley! Great question. The packets seem to come in all sorts of different ounces. It should not make a difference, but I'd get something close to 3.5-4 ounces. You'll love this recipe! Enjoy!
Brian
Excellent! Another fantastic post. I really enjoy reading this and the other content on here.
Janice G
I'm doing this for Easter tomorrow! It's my hubby & kids favorite cake. I'm excited to try your version.
Amy
Ooh, I hope you love it! Please let me know what you think! I really need to take new photos, since they really don't do this cake justice.
Cate
Can I bake this as a sheet cake?
Amy
Hi Cate,
I haven't tried this recipe as a sheet cake, but there isn't any reason why it wouldn't be amazing! The amount of batter would likely need to be reduced to fit into a 9"x13" cake pan, and you'd have to get creative with the "squishing". Sounds like I need to try it this way and report back. If you give it a try, let me know!
Cheryl Davis
I followed this recipe to the letter, and while it was time consuming, it was well worth EVERY SECOND. WOW. I think this cake weighs about 6 pounds finished and it is absolutely marvelous. Great job with the instructions. My daughter wanted this for her 18th birthday and was beyond impressed!!!!
Amy
Hi Cheryl! I'm so glad you loved it! It was a labor of love so I'm so glad you enjoyed it so much! And Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Sharon
Is the pudding Inst or cook
Amy
For this recipe we used instant, but either should work just fine! I hope you enjoy!