This Easy German Chocolate Cake is a simple, easy-to-make cake—just FIVE ingredients—but the results are spectacular!
Update: This Easy German Chocolate Cake recipe has been a family favorite for a long time, so I’ve updated it with a video and new photos and am sharing it again for new readers who may have missed it the first time around, or haven’t made it yet.
So confession time—I’m a little bit picky about my chocolate cake. I love a good chocolate cake, as you can see from the Cake section of this website. It’s gotten to the point where each of my kids has a different favorite chocolate cake—my daughter prefers an old Hershey’s Chocolate Cake recipe that’s a little more mild, while boys prefers a rich Old-Fashioned Dark Chocolate Cake that really features the dark cocoa flavor.
And then there’s my husband who is crazy about this German Chocolate Cake. He always wants this same cake for his birthday and he wants it to taste just like Mom used to make. My mother-in-law gave me her recipe for Coconut-Almond Frosting for German Chocolate Cake when we were first married, and I’ve been making it ever since.
We’ve tried several German Chocolate Cake recipes over the years. By far the best and easiest we’ve found is Anne Byrn’s Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor, which has a recipe for German Chocolate Cake from a mix that is moist and delicious, even though it starts from a box. When combined with my mother-in-law’s Coconut-Almond Frosting, it is irresistible!
Can I Substitute Pecans
I know some people prefer pecans in their German Chocolate frosting, and you can substitute pecans for the almonds in this recipe. However, if you’ve never tried German Chocolate Cake with an almond frosting, I strongly encourage you to give it a try! It’s fabulous this way!
Also, if you’re making this cake for a special occasion, head on over to my Tips for Baking Layer Cakes post. It’s a handy guide I wrote up with all the tips and tricks I’ve picked over the years.
How to make German Chocolate Cake in a 9 x 13 pan
If you prefer, you can make the cake in 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake the cake 38–42 minutes until the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
You can also make German Chocolate Cupcakes, which makes the cake easier to serve.
I’ve added a video that shows just how easy this cake is to make.
Easy German Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 15.25 ounce package German chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Coconut-Almond Frosting
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 7 oz. package sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º. Mix the cake mix, buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla in a large mixing bowl on low speed for one minute until combined. Beat at medium speed for two minutes more.
- Pour into two greased and floured 9 inch round pans. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes and remove from pans. I like to line my round cake pans with parchment paper before adding batter for easy removal from the pan
- You can also baked the cake in a greased and floured 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake 38–42 minutes until the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Coconut-Almond Frosting
- Combined butter, sugar, evaporated milk and eggs* in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 12 minutes or until thickened. Add vanilla, coconut and almonds. Cool to room temperature before frosting cake.
Video
Notes
Other chocolate cake recipes from Barbara Bakes that you may love:
- Triple Chocolate Cake with a Coconut Cream Cheese Filling
- Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake with Maraschino Cherry Filling
- Triple Chocolate Layer Cake
- Chocolate Cake with an Oreo Cheesecake Filling
- Chocolate Cheesecake Cake
- Turtle Chocolate Poke Cake
- Black Forest Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake Cake
- Cherry Chocolate Cake for Two
- Chocolate Cake for Two with a Coconut-Almond Cream Cheese Frosting
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake Chocolate Cake
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Gera @ SweetsFoodsBlog
One of my favorite cakes adore it and with coconut more almonds, really superb!!
Cheers,
Gera
Kristen
What a fantastic recipe – I've never had German chocolate cake with almonds in the frosting. What a great twist! (And, I feel like a bad DIL now… I've never made my MIL a cake for her birthday!
Barbara
This is my son's favorite cake and he asks for it every year on his birthday. I've never made it from a box. Is it really as good as making it from scratch? I've made it so many times now I can do it blindfolded!
FabFrugalFood
German chocolate cake has always been one of my faves. Also my favorite ice cream. Yours is the most amazing I have ever seen. Thanks for the inspiration!
Donna
Cathy
I'm SO happy to have this recipe, Barbara. German chocolate cake is a favorite in my house but baking it from scratch takes time and my recipe sometimes doesn't turn out just right. This is a great time saver. Yum, I just love the frosting.
My Little Space
Oh wow, the cake looks pretty easy! Must safe it up for later use. Thank you for sharing & have a nice day!
Cheers, Kristy
bake in paris
Your mother-in-law definitely made a good choice or all of us won't get to enjoy this scrumptious german chocolate cake with coconut almond frosting. Looking at the frosting, I can guarantee it will be good in other flavor of cakes too, don't you think?
Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris
Antonella-Vera55
when I was in Germany i loved their cakes,because their flavour and aesthetic taste.Your own is delicious!congratulations and enjoy your day
shaz
Even with just a corner piece, that frosting definitely looks oh, wow! The whole cake must have been double wow.
jo oliver
I like the idea of using almonds instead of pecans. Looks wonderful. I love GCC!
Kim
My father in law loves german chocolate cake and this looks like one super delicious recipe!!
Lynda
Yum…this is one of my favorite cakes too! I haven't made the frosting with almonds, but it would be delicious!
This is a great submission for Family Recipes Barbara.
Megan
I love that kind of frosting! It's also great on a s'more! 😉
sweetlife
great cake but the frosting takes it over the top..yum
sweetlife
Elina
Wow, a cake from a box that tastes amazing?! That's pretty awesome. I am a huge german choc cake fan. 😀
teresa
now i wish that I'd requested that for mom's day! how yummy!
natalia
Ciao Barbara ! this recipe is fantastic ! i'd eat some now !!
Kamalika
The cake looks awesome…loved the frosting….
Maria
I want a slice:)
Jen
I am supposed to make this for my Hubby's Birthday this Friday, so thanks for posting this at the perfect time!!