Description
A rich and decadent German Chocolate Dream Layer Cake featuring layers of chocolate cake, coconut-pecan filling, and a glossy chocolate ganache.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250g)
- Sugar: 2 cups (400g)
- Cocoa powder (unsweetened): 3/4 cup
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Baking soda: 2 tsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Eggs: 2
- Buttermilk: 1 cup
- Vegetable oil: 1/2 cup
- Vanilla extract: 2 tsp
- Hot coffee (or hot water): 1 cup
- Evaporated milk: 1 cup
- Sugar: 1 cup
- Egg yolks: 3
- Butter: 1/2 cup (113g)
- Vanilla: 1 tsp
- Shredded coconut (sweetened): 1 1/2 cups
- Chopped pecans: 1 cup
- Dark chocolate: 200g
- Heavy cream: 3/4 cup
- Butter (optional for shine): 1 tbsp
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F. Grease and line two 22cm / 9-inch pans.
- Whisk together dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, leaveners). Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and whisk until smooth.
- Slowly pour in hot coffee; the batter will be thin (this is correct!). Divide between pans and bake for 30–35 min. Cool completely before assembling.
- In a saucepan, whisk evaporated milk, sugar, and egg yolks. Add butter and cook over medium until thickened (8–10 min). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, coconut, and pecans. Let cool to spreadable consistency.
- Heat cream until steaming, pour over chopped chocolate, and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir until glossy. Add butter for shine (optional) and cool slightly to thicken.
- Place the first cake layer and spread a generous layer of coconut-pecan filling. Place the second cake layer on top.
- Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip naturally. Sprinkle extra pecans and coconut on top.
Notes
- This cake can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality dark chocolate for the ganache.
- Ensure the coconut-pecan filling is cool before spreading to avoid melting the cake layers.
- Prep Time: 35 min
- Cook Time: 30–35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg