Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray with flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole buttermilk
- One 4-ounce bar sweet baking chocolate, such as Baker's German, melted and cooled
- Coconut-Pecan Filling, recipe follows
- Chocolate Ganache Frosting, recipe follows
- Optional garnishes: pecan halves, chocolate curls
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray three 9-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray with flour.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the sour cream and vanilla, beating until combined.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture, alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Add the melted chocolate, beating until combined.
Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Remove from the pans and cool completely on wire racks.
Spread two-thirds of the Coconut-Pecan Filling evenly in between the cake layers. Place the cake in the freezer for at least 1 hour.
Spread Chocolate Ganache Frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake. Spread the remaining one-third Coconut-Pecan Filling evenly over the top of the cake. Arrange the pecan halves around top and bottom of cake if desired. Garnish with chocolate curls if desired. Store the cake in the refrigerator.
Coconut-Pecan Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 5 egg yolks
- 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 1/2 cups chopped toasted pecans
- 6 tablespoons butter
In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, sugar and egg yolks. Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the coconut, pecans and butter, stirring until the butter is melted. Let stand until the mixture reaches room temperature. Yield: 5 cups.
Chocolate Ganache Frosting:
- Two 4-ounce bars sweet baking chocolate, such as Baker's German, chopped
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
- 1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, boiling
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped chocolate, butter and corn syrup. Pour the boiling cream over the chocolate mixture. Let stand for 1 minute. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Chill for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the frosting is a spreadable consistency. Yield: 1 1/2 cups.
Photo: German Chocolate Cake with Coconut-Pecan Filling Recipe

















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By AntttNettt
on June 04, 2013
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This cake was absolutely fantastic! It is rich so I only make it on special occasions. It is not a quick cake but it is worth every step. The coconut pecan frosting was a little running so I add a little extra coconut. I've made it with and without the chocolate and both were great! Got milk?!?
By cookiecrazykatie
on April 12, 2013
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Wow. I made this cake for my father-in-law's birthday. Typically, I don't even like German Chocolate Cake and neither does my husband. But this was really, really good. We both loved it. I made it just as the recipe reads and, man, it was awesome!
By got food?
on April 08, 2013
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This cake is the bomb! It's very rich and decadent, and very impressive. I followed the recipe exactly as written and it turned out wonderfully! If you want to impress, this is the cake. Its very time consuming but worth the challenge. I recommend serving this cake at room temperature so the chocolate ganache is not too firm. Make this one a day ahead if you're planning for a dinner party.
Read all 17 reviews