Best 4 Light German Chocolate Cake Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our exquisite Light German Chocolate Cake, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable cake features layers of moist chocolate cake, a rich and creamy coconut-pecan frosting, and a decadent chocolate ganache, all coming together to create a heavenly dessert experience. With a focus on balance and moderation, this lightened-up version maintains the classic flavors of the traditional German Chocolate Cake while offering a healthier indulgence. Dive into the provided recipes to discover step-by-step instructions for crafting this extraordinary cake, along with variations and additional tips to elevate your baking skills.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

LIGHT GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



Light German Chocolate Cake image

This German chocolate cake recipe is very moist and dense. Since there is no leavening agent, the cake does not rise. But what you get is one very chocolaty cake. The frosting tastes just like a traditional German chocolate cake frosting. So good!

Provided by Chelsea Mitcham

Categories     Cakes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 14

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE
1/2 c chocolate chips (use German chocolate for a more authentic cake)
1/2 medium banana
2/3 c sugar
3 medium eggs
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder
LIGHT COCONUT PECAN FROSTING
1/2 c skim milk
1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp banana, mashed
1/3 c brown sugar
1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/3 c toasted shredded coconut
1/4 c toasted pecans, finely chopped

Steps:

  • 1. PREPARE THE PAN: Spray an 8x8 pan with Pam.
  • 2. FOR THE CAKE: 1) Mash the banana and stir in chocolate chips or pieces. Microwave 30-45 seconds then stir until chocolate is melted. 2) Stir in the sugar. 3) Whisk in the eggs. 4) Whisk in the cocoa until blended and no powder is visible on top. 5) Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. 6) Let cool before frosting.
  • 3. FOR THE FROSTING: 1) Combine the milk, cornstarch, banana, and brown sugar in a small saucepan and heat on medium heat until mixture is bubbly and thickens (about 3 minutes). 2) Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, coconut, and pecans. 3) Cool to room temperature then frost the cake

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



German Chocolate Cake image

According to my husband, this is the best German chocolate cake recipe in the whole world. Every bite has a light crunch from the pecans, a sweet taste of coconut and a drizzle of chocolate. -Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup water
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, separated, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
FROSTING:
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups evaporated milk
3/4 cup butter
5 large egg yolks, room temperature, beaten
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
ICING:
1 teaspoon shortening
2 ounces semisweet chocolate

Steps:

  • Line three greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper. Grease waxed paper and set aside. In small saucepan, melt chocolate with water over low heat; cool. , Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in 4 egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition., In a small bowl and with clean beaters, beat the 4 egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into creamed mixture; fold in remaining whites., Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 24-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small saucepan, heat sugar, milk, butter and egg yolks over medium-low heat until mixture is thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut, pecans and vanilla extract. Cool until thick enough to spread. Spread a third of the frosting over each cake layer and stack the layers. , In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 910 calories, Fat 53g fat (28g saturated fat), Cholesterol 237mg cholesterol, Sodium 511mg sodium, Carbohydrate 103g carbohydrate (76g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

LIGHT GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



Light German Chocolate Cake image

This is a relatively low-fat, low-calorie version of the rich dessert. It comes from Cooking Light, March 1998. Cooking time includes cooling time, too. UPDATE: In step 7, flour through salt means the ingredients on the ingredient list between sifted flour and salt.

Provided by echo echo

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h25m

Yield 18 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 29

cooking spray
1 tablespoon cake flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 ounce sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine, softened
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
2 large egg whites
2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Coat 3 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray, and dust with 1 Tbs flour.
  • Combine cocoa and chocolate in a small bowl; add boiling water, stirring until chocolate melts; set aside.
  • Combine sugars, butter, and oil in a large bowl, and beat at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 5 minutes).
  • Add yogurt, extracts, and egg whites; beat well.
  • Lightly spoon sifted flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife.
  • Combine sifted flour through salt.
  • Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat in cocoa mixture.
  • Pour cake batter into prepared pans and sharply tap pans once on counter to remove air bubbles.
  • Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool in pans 10 minutes, and remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
  • Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread with 1/3 cup Coconut-Pecan Frosting, and top with another cake layer.
  • Spread with 1/3 cup frosting (below), and top with remaining cake layer.
  • Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
  • Store cake loosely covered in refrigerator.
  • FROSTING:.
  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Add chopped pecans, and sauté until the pecans are browned (about 2½ minutes).
  • Remove mixture from heat, and stir in sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
  • Add milk, syrup, and egg yolks, and stir well.
  • Cook 2 minutes over medium-high heat or until thick, stirring constantly.
  • Remove from heat, and stir in flaked coconut and extracts.
  • Pour mixture into a bowl; cover and chill until slightly stiff (about 15 minutes).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 257.4, Fat 8.7, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 29.6, Sodium 236.5, Carbohydrate 42.7, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 25.5, Protein 3.6

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE



German Chocolate Cake image

This chocolatey classic is all about the coconut filling. We like ours with a cooked custard so it is extra rich and creamy. Made with cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate, the cake has a light texture and a light chocolate flavor. Semisweet chocolate also flavors the simply delicious ganache frosting.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 10h55m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 cup vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for dusting the pans
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups pecans
1 cup milk
3 large egg yolks
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Steps:

  • For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat two 9-inch round cake pans with oil and dust with flour. Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
  • Microwave the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl on high power for 45 seconds; remove and stir. Microwave again at high power in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate has melted completely; set aside.
  • Beat the granulated sugar, oil and eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in the melted chocolate. Alternate beating in the flour mixture and the milk, adding the flour in three additions and the milk in two, starting and ending with the flour, until just incorporated. Add half the milk, and mix until just incorporated. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture and milk, making sure not to overmix. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, run a thin spatula around the edges and then turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool completely. (They will have a sugary "crust" on the top. This is from the melted chocolate and is not a problem. It will soften once the cake is assembled or if the layers are baked the day before.)
  • For the filling: While the cakes cool, spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake, tossing once, until toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Finely chop. Whisk together the milk and egg yolks in a medium saucepan until smooth. Add the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla and salt, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 6 minutes. (It will be similar to the thickness of eggnog.) Pour the mixture into a large bowl. (Don't worry if it seems thin. The coconut and nuts will bind it.) Stir in the coconut and pecans; set aside to cool.
  • For the frosting: Put the chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat 1 cup of the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling, and pour over the chocolate. Let stand a few minutes, and then whisk until smooth; let stand at room temperature (or put in the refrigerator if your kitchen is hot) until thick but not set, 20 minutes to 1 hour. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons cream to the chocolate mixture, and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until lightened in color and fluffy, about 1 minute (do not overbeat, or it will become hard and grainy). The frosting should hold medium peaks and will continue to firm up a bit as it stands. Spoon about 1 cup frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
  • To assemble: Put one cake layer right-side up on a serving plate, and top with half the filling. Top with the second cake layer and the remaining filling, spreading it to about 1/2 inch from the edge. Frost the sides, and decorate around the top edge of the cake with the frosting in the pastry bag.
  • Loosely cover the cake with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature overnight. Unwrap and serve.

Tips:

  • Use unsweetened cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
  • Do not overbeat the egg whites. Overbeaten egg whites will make the cake tough.
  • Fold the egg whites into the batter gently to avoid deflating them.
  • Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it.
  • For a lighter frosting, use whipped cream instead of butter.
  • Garnish the cake with chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, or fresh berries.

Conclusion:

This lightened-up version of German chocolate cake is a delicious and decadent treat that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist chocolate cake layers, creamy coconut-pecan filling, and rich chocolate frosting, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. Whether you are a fan of classic German chocolate cake or are looking for a lighter version to enjoy, this recipe is sure to please. So next time you are in the mood for a chocolate cake, give this light German chocolate cake a try!

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