German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake is a layered chocolate cake from the United States that fills and tops with a coconut-pecan frosting. Despite its name, the cake does not originate from Germany, but is named after an American chocolate maker named Samuel German.

History

The German Chocolate Cake was first created by Samuel German in 1852. He was an employee of the Baker's Chocolate Company and developed a type of dark baking chocolate that was sweeter than the semi-sweet chocolate commonly used at the time. The company named the product "Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate" in his honor.

The cake became popular in the mid-20th century after a recipe using German's sweet chocolate appeared in a Dallas, Texas newspaper in 1957. The recipe, submitted by a local homemaker, was so popular that sales of Baker's Chocolate skyrocketed. The cake has since become a staple in American baking.

Ingredients and Preparation

The main ingredients of a German Chocolate Cake are butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, and German's sweet chocolate. The distinctive coconut-pecan frosting is made from evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter, vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and shredded coconut.

The cake is typically prepared by melting the chocolate and mixing it with the butter and sugar. The eggs are then added, followed by the flour and cocoa powder. The batter is divided into three parts and baked in round cake pans. Once the cakes have cooled, they are layered with the coconut-pecan frosting.

Variations

There are many variations of the German Chocolate Cake. Some recipes include additional ingredients such as coffee, which enhances the flavor of the chocolate, or caramel, which adds a rich sweetness to the cake. Other variations replace the traditional frosting with a chocolate ganache or a cream cheese frosting.

Cultural Significance

The German Chocolate Cake has become a beloved dessert in the United States. It is often served at celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries. The cake is also a popular choice for Thanksgiving and Christmas desserts.