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Slice of German chocolate cake with a fork taking a bite
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Meaningful Eats

Gluten-Free German Chocolate Cake

12 servings
German chocolate cake is an indulgent dessert perfect for special occasions. Made with two different types of frosting, it's the ultimate combination of chocolate, coconut, caramel, and pecans.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 14 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 24 minutes

Ingredients

DRY INGREDIENTS:

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 ¾ cups sugar 380 grams
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil 100 grams
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup sour cream 120 grams (regular or light)
  • 1 cup milk 250ml (I use 2%)

COCONUT CARAMEL FILLING:

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup evaporated milk 236ml
  • 8 Tablespoons butter cut into 8 pieces
  • ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
  • ½ cup light brown sugar firmly packed, 100 grams
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans 125 grams
  • 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut 160 grams

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

  • cup unsweetened cocoa powder 35 grams
  • ½ cup butter softened to room temperature
  • 3-4 cups confectioners’ sugar 340-450 grams
  • ¼ cup heavy cream or milk
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

MAKE THE CAKE:

  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease two 8-inch round pans. I also like to line the bottom of the 8-inch round pans with a circle of parchment paper then grease again.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the eggs and sugar. Whip on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer running on low, slowly drizzle in the oil. (You want to do this slowly so you don't lose the air that you've mixed in.) Mix in the vanilla and lemon juice.
  • With the mixer on low, add ⅓ of the dry ingredients. Mix until incorporated. Add the sour cream and mix to combine. Add another ⅓ of the dry ingredients and continue to mix. Add ½ of the milk followed by the last ⅓ of the dry ingredients. Add the remaining milk and stir until totally combined. (You want to add the dry ingredients alternately with liquid ingredients so the flour absorbs into the batter.)
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. (Start making the coconut caramel frosting while the cakes bake so it has time to cool before frosting!)
  • Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Then turn out the cakes onto a wire rack to continue cooling. Cool completely before frosting.

MAKE THE COCONUT CARAMEL FROSTING:

  • Once your cake is in the oven, begin preparing the German Chocolate Cake Filling.
  • In a medium saucepan add brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly for several minutes until the mixture begins to thicken.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts and coconut. Allow to cool completely before spreading over cake.

MAKE THE CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), add the cocoa powder. Mix to smooth any lumps. Add the butter and mix until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix on low until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy.

ASSEMBLE THE CAKE

  • Once your cake layers have cooled and your coconut/caramel filling is no longer warm to the touch, you can assemble the gluten-free German chocolate cake!
  • Place one cake round on a serving tray or cake platter. Use your chocolate frosting to spread or pipe a border around the edge of the cake. Fill the border with half of your coconut/caramel filling.
  • Top with the second cake round. Frost top and sides of the entire cake with remaining chocolate frosting.
  • Top off the cake with the remaining half of coconut/caramel frosting. Pipe decorative chocolate frosting along the edges if desired.
  • Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

MAKE IT DAIRY-FREE: You can use dairy-free sour cream and almond milk in the cake. My favorite brand of dairy-free sour cream is Kite Hill. You can also use earth balance buttery sticks in place of the butter in the frostings. Use full-fat canned coconut milk in place of the evaporated milk in the caramel filling. 
  • Start making the German chocolate frosting as soon as you put in the cakes into bake. That way the frosting will have time to cool completely before frosting.
  • Almond extract is the key to a delicious chocolate frosting! Just a little gives the cake an unmistakable gourmet flavor.
  • Be sure to use high-quality gluten-free flour for this recipe. It makes all the difference when you’re wanting the absolute best gluten-free chocolate cake!

Nutrition

Calories: 755kcal | Carbohydrates: 104g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 512mg | Potassium: 495mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 87g | Vitamin A: 764IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 187mg | Iron: 3mg