Best 6 Grandmas German Chocolate Cake Recipes

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From its humble beginnings in the kitchens of German immigrants in the early 1900s, Grandma’s German chocolate cake has grown into one of the most beloved and iconic desserts in America. Featuring layers of moist chocolate cake, a luscious coconut-pecan filling, and a rich chocolate ganache frosting, this decadent treat is perfect for any special occasion or just as a sweet indulgence. With this comprehensive guide to baking the perfect Grandma’s German chocolate cake, you’ll be able to impress your family and friends with this classic dessert that is both comforting and unforgettable.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GRANDMA GORMAN'S CHOCOLATE CAKE



Grandma Gorman's Chocolate Cake image

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories     dessert

Time 45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus butter for greasing pan
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus flour for dusting
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
Pinch of salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8- or 9-inch round baking pan.
  • Melt the 4 tablespoons butter and the chocolate together in the top of a double boiler. Stir until smooth. Mix the flour, salt and baking soda together.
  • Beat the egg and sugar together until the mixture is very light and falls in a ribbon when the beater is lifted. Stir in the melted butter and chocolate while they are still hot.
  • Stir in the flour mixture alternately with the milk. Stir in the vanilla.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake about 35 minutes, until the surface is slightly springy to the touch. Serve warm or cooled.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 227, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 28 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 172 milligrams, Sugar 26 grams, TransFat 0 grams

UPSIDE DOWN GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



Upside Down German Chocolate Cake image

Make and share this Upside Down German Chocolate Cake recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ThatJodiGirl

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/2 cups coconut
1 1/2 cups pecans (chopped)
1 (18 ounce) box German chocolate cake mix
1 1/4 cups water (or as called for by cake directions)
1/3 cup oil (or as called for by cake directions)
3 large eggs (or as called for by cake directions)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup butter, melted (or margarine)
1 lb confectioners' sugar (3 1/2 to 4 cups)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 13 x 9 inch pan.
  • Spread coconut evenly on bottom of pan. Sprinkle with pecans.
  • Prepare cake mix according to directions on box. Pour over coconut and pecans.
  • Combine cream cheese and melted butter in a medium mixing bowl. Beat at low speed with electric mixer until creamy. Add sugar; beat until blended and smooth.
  • Drop by spoonfuls evenly over cake batter. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted halfway to bottom of cake comes out clean.
  • Cool completely in pan. To serve, cut into individual pieces; turn upside down onto plate.

BETTER-THAN-MOM'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



Better-Than-Mom's German Chocolate Cake image

This cake is amazing. As my father-in-law says, "This is better than my Mom's cake". Plan ahead because this cake takes time and effort to make. But it's oh so worth it!

Provided by Yoly

Categories     Desserts     Chocolate Dessert Recipes     Dark Chocolate

Time 3h

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 26

2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
6 tablespoons water
1 ½ cups white sugar, divided
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 eggs, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups white sugar
6 egg yolks
2 ⅔ cups coconut, toasted
2 cups pecans, toasted and finely chopped
1 ½ cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
¾ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons dark rum
3 (4 ounce) bars semisweet chocolate, chopped
4 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 ½ cups heavy cream

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, and grease the parchment paper.
  • Place semisweet chocolate, unsweetened chocolate, and water in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.
  • Beat 1 1/4 cups sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the melted chocolate. Add egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Add 1/2 of the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture and beat until well combined. Add buttermilk, vanilla extract, and the remaining flour mixture.
  • Beat egg whites in a separate bowl until soft peaks form. Add 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold about 1/3 of the egg whites into the cake batter, then fold in the remaining egg whites, but do not overmix. Divide batter between the 2 prepared cake pans.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pans before inverting onto wire racks to cool completely.
  • Prepare the filling while the cakes are cooling. Combine cream, sugar, and egg yolks in a medium saucepan and mix until well combined. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until custard begins to thicken and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 170 degrees F (76 degrees C).
  • Combine coconut, pecans, butter, and salt in a bowl. Pour hot custard over the pecan-coconut mixture and stir until butter is melted. Cool completely to room temperature.
  • Make the syrup by heating water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in dark rum.
  • Combine chopped chocolate, butter, and corn syrup in a bowl for the frosting. Heat cream in a saucepan until it just begins to boil. Remove from heat and pour into the bowl. Let stand for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and chocolate is melted. Cool to room temperature.
  • Cut cake layers in half horizontally using a serrated bread knife. Set the first cake layer on a cake plate. Brush well with syrup. Spread 3/4 cup filling on top, making sure to reach all the way to the edges. Repeat with remaining cake layers, syrup, and filling, including the top.
  • Frost the sides of the cake with chocolate frosting. Spoon remaining chocolate frosting into a piping bag and pipe a decorative border around the top and bottom of the cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1025.5 calories, Carbohydrate 93.7 g, Cholesterol 259.8 mg, Fat 72 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 9.6 g, SaturatedFat 39.6 g, Sodium 421.6 mg, Sugar 72.6 g

GRANDMA'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



Grandma's German Chocolate Cake image

This is my grandma's recipe for German Chocolate Cake. This was all of us kid's favorite for birthdays. I made this for my husband on our first date on his birthday, and it's a tradition in our family now. We always use black walnuts, but you can use English walnuts. The hot water sounds weird, but that's the way my family has made it for years.

Provided by Teresa M

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 8-20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 cup margarine, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup boiling water
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1/4 lb margarine, softened
1 teaspoon imitation vanilla
1 1/3 cups coconut
1 1/2 cups black walnuts, chopped (you can use English walnuts if you prefer)

Steps:

  • I make this in either a greased and floured 9 x 12 inch pan or 2 9-inch round pans. For the 9 inch pans I also add wax paper cut to the pan size in the bottom of the pan.
  • I start checking for doneness after 40 minutes for a 9 x 12 pan, and 25 minutes for the 2 9-inch pans. When a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean it's done.
  • Cream margarine and sugar.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well.
  • Add buttermilk and dry ingredients.
  • Add boiling water and beat until mixed.
  • Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45-55 minutes or until done.
  • For Icing- Combine milk, sugar, egg yolks, margarine and vanilla.
  • Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened, about 15 minutes.
  • Add coconut and nuts.
  • Beat until thick enough to spread.

GRANDMA'S CHOCOLATE CAKE



Grandma's Chocolate Cake image

My grandma made this delicious cake for me throughout the years on my birthday. It's wonderful for chocolate lovers!-Dorothy Eagen, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h10m

Yield 12-16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup hot water
CHOCOLATE FUDGE FROSTING:
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons half-and-half cream

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and hot water, beating well after each addition. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., For frosting, melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan. Add the sugar, water and cream of tartar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 240° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat. Cool completely, without stirring, about 1 hour. Add vanilla; beat until thickened. Add cream; beat until smooth. Frost cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 297 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 210mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (37g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

GRANDMA'S CHOCOLATE CAKE



Grandma's Chocolate Cake image

This recipe has been passed down through the family for many generations. It is the only chocolate cake recipe I use anymore. The cake is nice and moist and has such a bold flavor. This cake is great for a German chocolate icing, but I have used all types of icings, which all complement the cake nicely. This cake always pleases the crowd when I make it. Hope you enjoy it as much as my family has for all these years.

Provided by Brandon McCune

Categories     Chocolate Cake

Time 50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 ¾ cups white sugar
¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon maple extract
1 ⅓ cups brewed coffee

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  • Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
  • Cream sugar and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Mix in eggs and maple extract. Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with coffee, beating batter until smooth after each addition. Pour batter into the prepared pans.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 315.9 calories, Carbohydrate 48.1 g, Cholesterol 61.5 mg, Fat 13.3 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 227.5 mg

Tips:

  • Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor. A good semisweet or bittersweet chocolate will work well.
  • Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help the ingredients mix together more easily.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
  • Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting set properly.
  • If you don't have a coconut-pecan frosting, you can use a chocolate ganache or a simple buttercream frosting.

Conclusion:

German chocolate cake is a classic dessert that is sure to please everyone. It is a moist and flavorful cake with a rich chocolate frosting. With its layers of chocolate cake, coconut-pecan frosting, and chocolate ganache, this cake is a true showstopper. If you're looking for a special dessert to make for your next party or gathering, German chocolate cake is a great option.

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