12.19.2008

German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake

Did You Know? German Chocolate Cake was not brought to America by German immigrants. The cake took its name from an American with the last name of "German."

I mentioned in a recent post that I had spent a delicious Friday night baking with my mom, so I thought I would share what expactly we baked up. Trust me, this post is not for the faint of heart...

One of my favorite people to cook for is my Dad, and when he called home from work the other day to request some sort of dessert from my mom, I took over the bakers role. I'd been wanting to test out this recipe for some time (knowing it was one of my Dad's favorites) so I thought this was as good a time as any. The recipe at hand...German Chocolate Cake. A decadently rich, layer cake that is not to be taken lightly. This particular recipe incorporated moist cake layers sandwiched between a caramel-like pecan and coconut spread, all of which was drowned in an intense chocolate ganache frosting

German Chocolate Cake Baking

What set this cake apart from other chocolate cakes I had baked in the past, was the addition of melted chocolate to the cake batter, instead of the usual cocoa powder. This definately intensified the flavor, but the addition of whipped egg whites took away any doubts I had that this cake would be to dense. After giving the bowl a good lick, I watched as my cakes rose to perfection in the heat of the oven. The daunting task awaiting in the future: cutting each cake into two layers. It didn't turn out all that bad, but they were by no means cut straight across. The coconut-pecan filling did a beautiful job at masking my imperfections. Not being a huge chocolate cake fan myself, I ended up putting a nice dent into this one. Trust me, it's really good, but really filling. I found myself hunched over on the couch after eating just a small slice.

A quick note about the frosting...mine did not set up like I thought it would, so I ended up just pouring the entire bowl over the top and letting it drip down the sides. The directions say to pipe it on, but the consistency I ended up with was in no shape for piping - much too liquidy. In the end, I loved how it turned out. It may seem like a lot of ganache to be pouring on a cake, but you won't be sorry when all is said and done.

I would have posted the recipe here, but I think David's step by step instructions are perfect as is...so check it out here and see for yourself! I'll leave you with an in-your-face slice of heaven...

German Chocolate Cake

Happy Baking...Hayley

17 comments:

  1. That cake is the EPITOME of food porn - holy goodness yum.

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  3. I love your photos! That cake looks so rich and decadent. YUM!

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  4. Why did I not know of you before? With this cake we could be best friends. Well best older friend at least. I adore chocolate, it is why I have never killed a man. Chocolate brings me peace when they are idiots. The photos are so luscious.

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  5. WOW, that cake must have been good if you're not fond of chocolate cake and still made a dent in it! I generally pass on chocolate desserts myself so that does say a lot!

    Btw, from your photos your layers came out fine!
    ~ingrid

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  6. VeggieGirl: That's a first for me, haha.

    Anna: Haha

    Megan: Thanks so much!

    Amber: I'm glad you commented, I think we're just what each other needs, haha.

    Kevin: Thanks!

    Ramya Kiran: Thanks, it was!

    Ingrid: It definately was good. I didn't mention that it has coconut in the layers also, which I usually don't like either. Thanks for the layers comment - I tried.

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  7. Oh my gosh! What a picture! You don't need any words at all here--clearly the pic does it all.

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  8. I mean really - who can go wrong w/this? It looks amazing!

    -DTW
    www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

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  9. Thanks Dawn and Darius, Happy Holidays!

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  10. Ohh, that cake looks so rich and moist... Yum!

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  11. That looks SO lusciously good and chocolatey! I love your photography, it really makes everything look so clear and crisp :D

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  12. Wow, that cake looks ridonculous. Once I get out from under all my lemony stuff, I think something chocolaty like this will have to be next.

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  13. OMG. We just made this cake, and the icing did not set for us, either. We also just poured it over the top, and joked that it was the ugliest cake we've ever made! David needs to work on his frosting.

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  14. You should check out the ganache frosting from the Double Chocolate Layer Cake I just posted. I would definitely use that one if I ever made this German chocolate cake again. It came out wonderfully, and set up very nicely after being chilled.

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