German Chocolate Cake is at the top of my list of favorite desserts. Which is why I don’t make it very often! Especially since I like to create an extra thick topping that is piled on top rather than running off like a glaze. When I make it, I ask the kids to hide it from me, but the trail of cake crumbs usually gives away the hiding spot.
The best solution I have found for my lack of self-control is to make this cake when we have company and then encourage them to take some home when they leave. The last time I was slicing it for guests to take home a friend called me on it and said, “So you want us to eat it for breakfast instead of you?’ I told her that was my exactly intention and she said, “I don’t have a problem with that”. Now, that’s a good friend!
This is a great recipe to serve when you some of your guests cannot consume dairy. It is so easy to replace the dairy found in the recipe with coconut or almond products without compromising the original flavor of the recipe. If you don’t have German’s Sweet Chocolate you use one of these substitutes.
- 4 squares German's Sweet Chocolate
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup rice flour
- ½ cup tapioca flour
- ¼ cup potato starch
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup oil
- 4 eggs
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- ½ cup coconut oil (or butter)
- 1 teaspoon gf vanilla
- 1 cup almond milk (coconut milk or milk)
- 3 cups shredded coconut
- 2 cups finely chopped pecans
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 13×9 pan.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Melt for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each interval, until melted.
- Add the oil, water, eggs, and vanilla to the chocolate. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Add the chocolate mixture to the flour mixture. Stir until all the ingredients are completely incorporated.
- Stir in pecans.
- Pour into a greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Combine the egg yolks, sugar, coconut oil (or butter), vanilla and milk in a medium sauce pan.
- Cook over a medium flame for about 15 minutes, until the mixture is thick and bubbly.
- Remove from the heat and add the coconut and pecans.
- Let the topping cool and thicken for about 30 minutes. Then spread it over the top of the cooled cake.
Cindy says
This is an awesome German Chocolate Cake! I have made it several times in my family loves it! However, the last two times I have made it the cake rises above the edge of the pan while in the oven and then collapses while still baking. I’m wondering if the baking powder is causing it to do that? I recently started using using Bob’s Red Mill double acting baking powder. Maybe it is “double acting” and I should only use 1 tsp?
Simone says
I only made the topping. Used brown sugar. I stirred the whole time it cooked because I was worried about scrambled eggs. Came out AMAZING. German chocolate cake topping is one of my favorite things. Currently dairy, gluten and soy free while breastfeeding. I will use this recipe going forward. Easy and delicious! I might just make it sometime to eat by itself… Thank you!
Gracy says
Very excited to try this recipe. What kind of rice flour did you use – white rice flour, brown rice flour, sweet white rice flour? Thank you!
Alea Milham says
white rice flour
Tressa says
Can I just use a gluten free flour blend instead of specificly
½ cup rice flour
½ cup tapioca flour
¼ cup potato starch
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
Thanks
Alea Milham says
Yes, you can.
Sophie says
This was one of the best gluten-free cake recipes I have made, thanks so much for sharing it! The cake is perfectly moist and decadent with chocolate. Awesome.
Rachel says
When you state “4 squares German’s Sweet Chocolate” are you meaning 4 bars (4 x 4oz) or are you meaning 4 oz?
Alea Milham says
I mean 4 – 1 oz. squares of chocolate. The packaging may have changed, but it used to come in a box with individually wrapped 1 oz. squares.
Pop Chef says
Maybe I’d be more than happy to take some with me if I’d be your guest. Thanks for the post.
Terry Klausmeier says
Just made the topping – I had made German Chocolate cupcakes (not gluten free( and needed a topping. It is delicious…I will try the gluten free cake recipe next time around! Thanks for sharing!!!
Anna-Marie says
Do you have suggestions to make this sugar free? Since the use of sugar does affect consistency?
Alea Milham says
I have never tried baking with stevia or other sugar substitutes. I have made a German Chocolate Cake Sweetened with Brown Rice Syrup. Please let me know if you make a sugar-free/reduced sugar German Chocolate Cake; I would love to know how it turns out!
Rogene says
I like your topping recipe. I’ve never tried making a gluten free german chocolate cake — maybe it’s time to give it a try.