Best 5 Light German Chocolate Cake Recipes

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Are you looking for a delectable yet airy and fluffy cake treat that will tickle your taste buds? Look no further than the "light German chocolate cake"! With its origins in the early 1900s, this scrumptious cake has become a beloved classic around the world. Its secret lies in the combination of layers of moist chocolate cake, a fluffy coconut-pecan filling, and a decadent chocolate ganache frosting. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the culinary journey of creating the perfect light German chocolate cake that will impress your friends and family.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



German Chocolate Cake image

According to my husband, this is the best German chocolate cake recipe in the whole world. Every bite has a light crunch from the pecans, a sweet taste of coconut and a drizzle of chocolate. -Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup water
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, separated, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
FROSTING:
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups evaporated milk
3/4 cup butter
5 large egg yolks, room temperature, beaten
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
ICING:
1 teaspoon shortening
2 ounces semisweet chocolate

Steps:

  • Line three greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper. Grease waxed paper and set aside. In small saucepan, melt chocolate with water over low heat; cool. , Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in 4 egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition., In a small bowl and with clean beaters, beat the 4 egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into creamed mixture; fold in remaining whites., Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 24-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small saucepan, heat sugar, milk, butter and egg yolks over medium-low heat until mixture is thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut, pecans and vanilla extract. Cool until thick enough to spread. Spread a third of the frosting over each cake layer and stack the layers. , In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 910 calories, Fat 53g fat (28g saturated fat), Cholesterol 237mg cholesterol, Sodium 511mg sodium, Carbohydrate 103g carbohydrate (76g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



German Chocolate Cake image

This chocolatey classic is all about the coconut filling. We like ours with a cooked custard so it is extra rich and creamy. Made with cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate, the cake has a light texture and a light chocolate flavor. Semisweet chocolate also flavors the simply delicious ganache frosting.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 10h55m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 cup vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for dusting the pans
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups pecans
1 cup milk
3 large egg yolks
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Steps:

  • For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat two 9-inch round cake pans with oil and dust with flour. Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
  • Microwave the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl on high power for 45 seconds; remove and stir. Microwave again at high power in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate has melted completely; set aside.
  • Beat the granulated sugar, oil and eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in the melted chocolate. Alternate beating in the flour mixture and the milk, adding the flour in three additions and the milk in two, starting and ending with the flour, until just incorporated. Add half the milk, and mix until just incorporated. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture and milk, making sure not to overmix. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, run a thin spatula around the edges and then turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool completely. (They will have a sugary "crust" on the top. This is from the melted chocolate and is not a problem. It will soften once the cake is assembled or if the layers are baked the day before.)
  • For the filling: While the cakes cool, spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake, tossing once, until toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Finely chop. Whisk together the milk and egg yolks in a medium saucepan until smooth. Add the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla and salt, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 6 minutes. (It will be similar to the thickness of eggnog.) Pour the mixture into a large bowl. (Don't worry if it seems thin. The coconut and nuts will bind it.) Stir in the coconut and pecans; set aside to cool.
  • For the frosting: Put the chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat 1 cup of the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling, and pour over the chocolate. Let stand a few minutes, and then whisk until smooth; let stand at room temperature (or put in the refrigerator if your kitchen is hot) until thick but not set, 20 minutes to 1 hour. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons cream to the chocolate mixture, and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until lightened in color and fluffy, about 1 minute (do not overbeat, or it will become hard and grainy). The frosting should hold medium peaks and will continue to firm up a bit as it stands. Spoon about 1 cup frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
  • To assemble: Put one cake layer right-side up on a serving plate, and top with half the filling. Top with the second cake layer and the remaining filling, spreading it to about 1/2 inch from the edge. Frost the sides, and decorate around the top edge of the cake with the frosting in the pastry bag.
  • Loosely cover the cake with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature overnight. Unwrap and serve.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE



German Chocolate Upside Down Cake image

This upside-down version of German chocolate cake is both quicker and easier then the traditional right side-up cake.

Provided by SUNSET1

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Upside-Down Cake Recipes

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 ¼ cups water
¼ cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup flaked coconut
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup chopped walnuts
4 (1 ounce) squares German sweet chocolate
½ cup water
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
½ cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Not necessary to grease pan.
  • In a sauce pan, combine 1 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup butter or margarine. Heat until butter melts, then stir in brown sugar and coconut. Pour into ungreased 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle marshmallows and nuts over top. set aside.
  • For the cake: in a saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate with 1/2 cup water. Heat, stirring, until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat.
  • In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, soda and salt. Add sour cream, 1/2 cup butter or margarine, vanilla and eggs. Add chocolate mixture and beat 3 minutes. Carefully spoon batter over coconut marshmallow mixture in pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 to 50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Place pan on foil or cookie sheet to guard against spillage.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 294.2 calories, Carbohydrate 40.3 g, Cholesterol 42.7 mg, Fat 14.2 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 3.6 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 171.9 mg, Sugar 27.6 g

LIGHT GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



Light German Chocolate Cake image

This is a relatively low-fat, low-calorie version of the rich dessert. It comes from Cooking Light, March 1998. Cooking time includes cooling time, too. UPDATE: In step 7, flour through salt means the ingredients on the ingredient list between sifted flour and salt.

Provided by echo echo

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h25m

Yield 18 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 29

cooking spray
1 tablespoon cake flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 ounce sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine, softened
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
2 large egg whites
2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Coat 3 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray, and dust with 1 Tbs flour.
  • Combine cocoa and chocolate in a small bowl; add boiling water, stirring until chocolate melts; set aside.
  • Combine sugars, butter, and oil in a large bowl, and beat at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 5 minutes).
  • Add yogurt, extracts, and egg whites; beat well.
  • Lightly spoon sifted flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife.
  • Combine sifted flour through salt.
  • Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat in cocoa mixture.
  • Pour cake batter into prepared pans and sharply tap pans once on counter to remove air bubbles.
  • Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool in pans 10 minutes, and remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
  • Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread with 1/3 cup Coconut-Pecan Frosting, and top with another cake layer.
  • Spread with 1/3 cup frosting (below), and top with remaining cake layer.
  • Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
  • Store cake loosely covered in refrigerator.
  • FROSTING:.
  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Add chopped pecans, and sauté until the pecans are browned (about 2½ minutes).
  • Remove mixture from heat, and stir in sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
  • Add milk, syrup, and egg yolks, and stir well.
  • Cook 2 minutes over medium-high heat or until thick, stirring constantly.
  • Remove from heat, and stir in flaked coconut and extracts.
  • Pour mixture into a bowl; cover and chill until slightly stiff (about 15 minutes).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 257.4, Fat 8.7, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 29.6, Sodium 236.5, Carbohydrate 42.7, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 25.5, Protein 3.6

GERMAN CHOCOLATE LAZY DAISY CAKE



German Chocolate Lazy Daisy Cake image

Traditional German chocolate cake gets a whole new spin with this inventive version that's finished off under the high heat of the broiler instead of being frosted in layers. -Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 15 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup butter, cubed
4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
1-1/4 cups boiling water
3 large eggs
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
TOPPING:
1-1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup half-and-half cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 13x9-in. pan. In a bowl, combine oats, butter and chocolate; pour boiling water over top. Let stand 10 minutes., Stir oatmeal mixture until combined; whisk in eggs and brown sugar. In another bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt; stir into oatmeal mixture just until combined., Transfer to prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven. Preheat broiler., Combine topping ingredients; spread over warm cake. Broil 4 in. from heat until lightly browned, 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips for a Perfect German Chocolate Cake:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh butter, sugar, eggs, and cocoa powder will give your cake the best flavor and texture.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy: This will help incorporate air into the batter, resulting in a lighter cake.
  • Gradually add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition: This will help prevent the batter from curdling.
  • Mix the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl before adding them to the wet ingredients: This will help ensure that they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Do not overmix the batter: Overmixing can result in a tough, dense cake.
  • Bake the cake at the correct temperature: A cake that is baked at too high of a temperature will be dry and crumbly, while a cake that is baked at too low of a temperature will be undercooked and gummy.
  • Cool the cake completely before frosting it: This will help prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

This light German chocolate cake is a delicious and decadent treat that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich chocolate flavor, creamy frosting, and fluffy texture, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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