Ina Garten’s Heavenly German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Ina Garten’s German Chocolate Cake represents a decadent dessert that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Sweet layers of rich chocolate merge with creamy coconut-pecan frosting for an irresistible treat.

Her signature approach elevates this classic cake beyond traditional expectations.

Bakers appreciate the delicate balance between moist cake and luxurious topping that makes this dessert memorable.

Every slice tells a story of comfort and indulgence, blending textures that dance across your palate.

Professional techniques ensure a foolproof method for creating a showstopping centerpiece that impresses both family and guests.

The magic lies in carefully selected ingredients and precise mixing techniques that guarantee delectable results: get ready to bake something spectacular!

Why Ina Garten’s German Chocolate Cake is Legendary

• Luxurious Layered Delight: This German chocolate cake offers a decadent experience with its rich chocolate layers and indulgent coconut-pecan frosting that creates a stunning visual and flavor masterpiece.
• Effortless Baking Magic: The recipe provides simple, straightforward steps that make creating a professional-looking cake accessible even for novice bakers, with basic ingredients and uncomplicated mixing techniques.
• Textural Wonderland: Each bite promises a perfect balance of moist chocolate cake, creamy chocolate frosting, and crunchy coconut-pecan topping, delivering a complex and satisfying sensory experience that keeps taste buds excited.
• Crowd-Pleasing Celebration Centerpiece: This cake transforms any gathering into a special occasion, whether it's a birthday, holiday, or weekend dessert that will have everyone coming back for seconds and asking for the recipe.

What You’ll Need for This Rich Dessert

• All-Purpose Flour: Fine and soft flour that provides the base structure for the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweet ingredient that adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
• Cocoa Powder: Rich chocolate powder that gives deep flavor and dark color to the cake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the cake ingredients together.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and creates a tender texture with slight tanginess.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and helps create a soft crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor and enhances chocolate taste.
• Boiling Water: Helps dissolve cocoa and creates a thin, smooth batter.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Create sweetness and caramel-like flavor for coconut frosting.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create creamy frosting texture.
• Egg Yolks: Add richness and help thicken the coconut frosting.
• Evaporated Milk: Contributes to smooth, creamy frosting consistency.
• Coconut: Adds tropical texture and flavor to the frosting.
• Pecans or Walnuts: Provide crunch and nutty flavor to the coconut frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable chocolate frosting.
• Milk: Helps adjust chocolate frosting consistency.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

• Preheat oven to 375°F
• Grease two 9-inch round cake pans
• Line pan bottoms with parchment paper

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk ingredients until fully integrated

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Large eggs
• Buttermilk
• Vegetable oil
• Pure vanilla extract

Whisk until smooth and consistent

Step 4: Form Chocolate Cake Batter

• Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture
• Stir gently until just combined
• Slowly add boiling water
• Mix until batter becomes thin and silky

Step 5: Bake Cake Layers

• Divide batter evenly between prepared pans
• Bake for 30-35 minutes
• Check doneness with toothpick test
• Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes
• Transfer cakes to wire rack

Step 6: Prepare Coconut Pecan Filling

• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Egg yolks
• Evaporated milk

Cook over medium heat. Stir constantly until thickened. Remove from heat.

• Vanilla extract
• Chopped pecans
• Shredded coconut

Allow filling to cool completely

Step 7: Create Chocolate Frosting

• Melted butter
• Cocoa powder
• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Adjust consistency as needed

Step 8: Assemble Cake

• Place first cake layer on serving plate
• Spread thin chocolate frosting layer
• Add half of coconut pecan filling
• Position second cake layer
• Cover entire cake with chocolate frosting
• Spread remaining coconut pecan filling on top

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

• Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes
• Slice and serve at room temperature
• Store covered in refrigerator

Handy Baking Tips from Ina

• Prep Like a Pro: Bring eggs, butter, and milk to room temperature 30 minutes before baking to help ingredients blend smoothly and create a tender cake crumb.
• Sifting Secret: Gently sift cocoa powder and flour together through a fine-mesh strainer to break up any clumps, ensuring a silky, lump-free batter that bakes evenly.
• Chocolate Quality Matters: Splurge on premium Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor that transforms this classic German chocolate cake.
• Gentle Mixing Magic: Fold wet and dry ingredients just until combined, stopping when you no longer see streaks of flour to prevent developing tough gluten and maintain a soft, delicate texture.
• Pan Preparation Trick: Generously grease cake pans with butter and dust with cocoa powder instead of flour to create a non-stick surface that helps the cake release perfectly and adds an extra hint of chocolate.

Keeping That German Cake Fresh

• Sealed Container Method: Protect cake slices in an airtight, leak-proof container with a tight-fitting lid. Shield frosting from absorbing other refrigerator odors by placing the container in the coolest section away from strong-smelling foods.
• Freezer Preservation Method: Individually wrap cake slices in plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain. Layer wrapped pieces inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain texture.
• Room Temperature Strategy: Keep unfrosted cake layers at cool room temperature, covered with plastic wrap or placed under a cake dome. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness, protecting the delicate coconut-pecan frosting from potential moisture breakdown.

Different Takes on the Classic Chocolate Cake

• German Chocolate Cupcake Edition: Transform this classic cake into individual cupcakes by using a muffin tin. Reduce baking time to 15-20 minutes and follow the same frosting technique for personal-sized treats.
• Gluten-Free German Chocolate Variation: Replace traditional flour with a gluten-free blend. Ensure all other ingredients remain consistent, maintaining the cake's rich chocolate flavor and creamy coconut frosting.
• Dark Chocolate Intense Version: Swap milk chocolate cocoa powder with premium dark cocoa for a deeper, more robust chocolate experience. Increase dark chocolate content in both cake and frosting for chocolate lovers seeking an elevated taste profile.
• Nutty Coconut Crunch Edition: Add extra chopped pecans or walnuts to the coconut frosting and sprinkle additional toasted nuts on the cake's exterior. This version enhances texture and provides a satisfying crunch with every bite.

A Sweet Goodbye to Chocolate Cake

Culinary magic blooms in Ina Garten’s German chocolate cake, a symphony of rich chocolate and luxurious coconut frosting.

Layers of moist cake whisper decadent indulgence, beckoning dessert enthusiasts to explore each heavenly bite.

Classic techniques merge with gourmet sensibilities, creating a masterpiece that elevates home baking.

Chocolate’s deep notes dance alongside sweet coconut, crafting an unforgettable sensory experience.

Precise ingredients and careful methods guarantee spectacular results for passionate bakers.

With confidence and creativity, you can craft this legendary dessert – share its deliciousness, comment on its brilliance, and spread sweet inspiration across your culinary community.

Italian Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent Italian Parmesan Chicken Skewers bring Mediterranean coastal flavors straight to your dinner table. Juicy chicken marinated with herbs and parmesan cheese creates an elegant yet simple meal perfect for gathering friends and satisfying hungry palates.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (diced into 1-inch pieces)

Cheese and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup (30 grams) Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Italian seasoning mix
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) paprika spice
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a robust marinade by whisking together olive oil (59 milliliters or 2 fluid ounces), finely chopped garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and paprika in a spacious mixing vessel. Enhance with salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
2. Immerse chicken breast cubes thoroughly in the marinade, ensuring each morsel receives complete coating. Seal the container and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply, with a maximum marination time of 4 hours.
3. Prepare outdoor or indoor grill by heating to medium-high temperature (approximately 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit or 190-204 degrees Celsius) approximately ten minutes prior to cooking.
4. Carefully skewer marinated chicken pieces onto pre-soaked wooden or metal skewers, maintaining small gaps between cubes to guarantee uniform heat distribution and optimal cooking.
5. Position skewers on heated grill surface, cooking for 6-8 minutes per side. Rotate once during grilling to achieve attractive caramelized exterior and ensure internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
6. Remove skewers from heat, allowing chicken to rest for 3-4 minutes. Garnish with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese or chopped herbaceous elements like parsley or basil for enhanced visual and gustatory appeal.

Notes

• Marinate chicken in a zesty blend of Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasonings to infuse deep, mouthwatering flavors into every tender bite.
• Wooden skewers need a quick water bath before threading to prevent them from turning into charcoal during grilling.
• Grill marks aren’t just for show – they’re flavor boosters that caramelize the marinade and create an irresistible golden-brown exterior.
• Resting the chicken after grilling allows juices to redistribute, ensuring each piece stays incredibly succulent and tender.
• Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil can elevate the final presentation, adding a bright, aromatic finishing touch to these delectable skewers.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 90mg