German Chocolate Sheet Cake

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German Chocolate Sheet Cake

Introduction

German Chocolate Sheet Cake is one of those desserts that looks fancy, tastes indulgent, yet is surprisingly straightforward to make. Despite its name, it’s not actually from Germany — it’s all-American. This cake is famous for its soft, chocolatey sponge topped with a luscious coconut-pecan frosting. In sheet cake form, it’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or any event where you want people to fall in love with you through dessert.

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water
  • 4 oz (115 g) sweet baking chocolate (German’s brand if possible)
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting

  • 1 cup (240 ml) evaporated milk
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (130 g) sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 cup (100 g) chopped pecans

Instructions

Cake Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  2. Melt chocolate: Pour boiling water over the chocolate in a bowl, stir until smooth, and let cool slightly.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  5. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in melted chocolate and vanilla.
  6. Alternate flour and buttermilk: Add flour mixture and buttermilk in three additions, starting and ending with flour.
  7. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form and gently fold into the batter.
  8. Bake: Pour into prepared pan, spread evenly, and bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting Preparation

  1. In a saucepan, combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter, and vanilla.
  2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 12 minutes).
  3. Remove from heat, stir in coconut and pecans.
  4. Let cool until spreadable, then frost the cooled cake generously.

Methods

  • Melting Chocolate: Always melt over low heat or with boiling water poured over chopped chocolate to avoid scorching.
  • Folding Egg Whites: Use a gentle figure-eight motion to avoid deflating the batter, keeping the cake airy.
  • Frosting Thickness: Cook the frosting until it coats the back of a spoon — this ensures it sets well.

History

Despite its name, German Chocolate Cake originated in the United States in 1957 when a Texas homemaker submitted the recipe to a Dallas newspaper. The name comes from Samuel German, who developed the “German’s Sweet Chocolate” for Baker’s Chocolate Company in 1852. The sheet cake adaptation became popular in the mid-20th century because it was easier to bake, transport, and serve to large crowds.

Benefits

  • Rich in flavor: Chocolate, coconut, and pecan create a decadent trio.
  • Crowd-pleaser: Ideal for large gatherings.
  • Energy boost: The sugar and chocolate provide a quick pick-me-up.
  • Mood enhancer: Chocolate contains serotonin-boosting compounds.

Formation

This cake is built in two main layers:

  1. Moist chocolate sponge baked in a rectangular pan.
  2. Thick coconut-pecan frosting spread generously over the top.

The beauty of the sheet cake form is that each square gets a perfect ratio of cake to frosting.

Nutrition (Per serving, approx. 16 servings)

  • Calories: ~420 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Sugar: 35 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg

Lovers

This cake has a dedicated fanbase — from Southern grannies who guard their recipes like treasure, to chocolate lovers who crave the moist crumb, to coconut enthusiasts who consider the frosting the main event. It’s the kind of dessert that gets you invited back to every potluck.

Conclusion

German Chocolate Sheet Cake is more than just a sweet — it’s an American baking icon with a rich history and a flavor profile that satisfies multiple cravings at once. It’s indulgent without being overly fussy, and in sheet cake form, it’s a baker’s dream for feeding a crowd.

Lovers’ final word: If you bring this cake to a gathering, be prepared to go home with an empty pan — and a list of people asking for the recipe.

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