Coconut, caramel and pecans for authentic German Chocolate Cake!
It’s a simple one bowl recipe for Chocolate Cake and equally easy recipe for the German chocolate filling
I have two recipes for the filling so you can decide if you want the traditional or refined sugar free version!
My updated version is made with a quick stove top custard!
This entire cake is really easy to make!
With a chocolate buttercream that whips up while the cake is baking!
Check out my refined sugar free version here!
No affiliation with any product or company linked below, solely for visual reference
Notes for Success:
I’m using 7″ cake pans for this cake but you can use 8″ pans instead for a 2 layer cake
Using coffee in chocolate cake recipes is a pro bakery secret!
Chocolate and coffee are best friends bringing out the best flavor!
However if you are against using coffee you can replace with water
Unsweetened coconut is my choice to lower the sugar content in this cake no matter which recipe I choose!
But feel free to use sweetened flake if you prefer
This Chocolate Cake Recipe is great with a sugar alternative
As well as gluten free using a 1:1 blend like Bob’s Red Mill *not sponsored
Check out my article and supporting video all about Sugar Free Baking!
Natural Cocoa Powder refers to cocoa powder that has not been Dutch Processed
Read more about Natural vs Dutched process cocoa here!
Vegan German Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 3 cup All Purpose Flour 3 cups (375g)
- 8 Tbs Natural Cocoa Powder *see notes (40g)
- 2 cup Granulated Sugar (400g)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (6g)
- 2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¾ cup Vegetable Oil (177ml)
- 2 cup Strong Brewed Coffee *see notes (474ml)
For the German Chocolate Filling
- 1 cup Plant Milk (237ml)
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar (150g)
- 1 Tbs Cornstarch (8g)
- 4 Tbs Vegan Butter (56gg)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (5ml)
- 1½ cups Sweetened Flake Coconut
- 1 cup Lightly Toasted Pecans
For the Vegan Ganache:
- 4 ounces Semi Sweet Vegan Chocolate (113g)
- ¼ cup Plant Milk (60ml)
Instructions
- Grease & parchment line 3-7" cake pans (or 2-8" pans for a 2 layer cake instead)Preheat the oven to 350℉
- First prepare the cake Sift the flour, baking soda, salt & sugar together in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the cocoa powder with the hot coffee & then add the vinegar, oil and the vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the sifted dry ingredients & whisk vigorously with a hand whisk until smooth (about 15 strokes)
- Divide the batter evenly amongst your prepared cake pans & bake immediately in a preheated 350°f oven for approximately 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs
- Next prepare the German Chocolate In a medium sauce pot combine the sugar & cornstarch together with a whisk & then add the plant milk
- Bring to a boil over medium high heat stirring constantly to avoid scorching the bottom
- Once the custard has boiled remove from the heat & add the vanilla extract & vegan butter & whisk until completely melted,
- Transfer the custard to a large bowl & add the pecans & coconut, mix well
- Refrigerate to cool completely & then use for filling & topping
- Prepare the vegan ganache by combining the chocolate & plant milk in a small sauce pot & melt over a low heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat & cool at room temperature
Notes
As well as gluten free using a 1:1 blend like Bob's Red Mill *not sponsored Storage German chocolate cake can stay at room temperature for 1 day but for best results refrigerate for up to 1 week~ Cake is best served at room temperature
Can I sub coconut milk for the almond milk? or are they not the same thickness in recipes?
would be totally fine *any plant milk would be fine
hi, I’ve been using this recipe for cupcakes recently. everything comes out fine except that the tops are extremely crunchy. any idea why? thanks.
Hi, thank you for the recipe. I’m really excited about making this amazing looking cake. Can I please ask if this could be baked in a deep cake tin as opposed to three tins?
Thankyou!! ????
Hey thanks! You will LOVE IT! yes to 2-8″ pans vs the 3-7″ I am accustomed to! Really no matter what pan size you use, just be sure to fill pans slightly more than 1/2 full and bake UNTIL THEY ARE DONE
Made this cake for my birthday, love your chocolate cake recipe made a few of your cakes so far. I am in the UK and for the measurements for the coconut and the pecans they are not in metric and when I try to convert it says 240g for 1 cup which seems far too much so I just tried to follow the video instead.
Tried to do the piping for the first time and much harder than it looks ! So ended up with an ombre kind of look to it.
I’ve also found cake flour in the UK, its an organic flour that’s made in the UK which is much softer but I actually think its made my cake too soft where its almost falling apart. I’ll try the ratios you give the next time.
Also I don’t see any adds on your page as I wanted to click so you get paid not sure if that’s because I’m in the UK or not!
Anyway thanks for sharing your recipes with us!
Hi Thank you so much for your thoughtful consideration to help support me! It’s possible you have AdBlocker? Since that would prohibit any ads from showing up for you~ but thank you again anyway.
RE: Recipe Yes you are correct that DOES seem like a lot! Thank you for pointing that out, I will update the post since 1 cup coconut = 120g
Pecans is closer to 130g per cup
Additionally regarding Cake Flour I have found many people complaining about using cake flour lately with reports of cakes being gummy & raw. I would say to use Plain Flour (all purpose flour here in the US) instead. I do it often with great results
Looks awesome!, can I use it for carving?
Yes sure!
How much salt do you add to the filling? It doesn’t say. I added just a dash and seemed enough. This is SOOOOO delicious and almost too easy! Thank you!
Hey thanks for pointing that out! I will update the post!
Can this be converted to cupcakes easily? The cake isn’t even gone yet but I need to make more! And want to share with others.
YES!! Will convert GREAT!