German chocolate cake has been around for just about 65 years — and for those 65 years, many of us just assumed the decadent chocolate, coconut, and pecan dessert originated in Germany. Hence the name German chocolate cake, right?
However, the popular dessert isn't from Germany at all. Instead, it originated in the country that loves it the most: America. So why is it called German chocolate cake? We found out.
What is German Chocolate Cake?
German chocolate cake is a layered chocolate cake (usually with two to three layers) that's traditionally made with sweet baking chocolate and buttermilk. It's filled and topped with a frosting made from pecan, coconut, and evaporated milk.
Where Did German Chocolate Cake Originate?
Even though the cake is called German, it wasn't brought over from Germany. Instead, it originated in Dallas, Texas, in 1957 — but, just like the cake, its history is much richer than that.
German chocolate cake's story dates back even further to the 1850s when a baker named Samuel German created a sweet baking chocolate. He developed the new chocolate with a higher sugar content for Baker's Chocolate — which, by the way, is also not called "Baker's" because it makes chocolate for bakers, but rather because its founder was named James Baker. The chocolate company named German's creation "German's Sweet Chocolate" after him.
Almost a century later in 1957, The Dallas Morning News published a recipe for "German's Chocolate Cake." The recipe was credited to Mrs. George Clay, a Dallas resident, who named the cake that because it utilized German's Sweet Chocolate.
The recipe became so popular that other publications started running it and Baker's Chocolate's sales began to soar. It's believed that through all the various publications of the original recipe, the apostrophe 's' got lost along the way. Thus came the belief that the dessert originated in Germany.
Apparently, the idea that German chocolate cake was a German favorite became so ubiquitous that even President Lyndon B. Johnson believed it to be true. He served the cake to German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard at a luncheon in 1963, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Baker's Chocolate, which is now owned by Kraft Heinz, still makes and sells German's Sweet Chocolate. However, many German chocolate cake recipes of today don't call for sweet baking chocolate. Some recipes only use cocoa powder, while some use baking chocolate but with a different sugar content than German's — sometimes semi-sweet or unsweetened.
If you want a traditional German chocolate cake like Mrs. Clay's, look for recipes that include both sweet baking chocolate and buttermilk, like these:
While the original German chocolate cake recipe didn't include chocolate frosting around the sides of the cake, that's a very common practice used today. Some people also like to top their German chocolate cake with extra nuts, however, those additions are up to the baker (meaning you, not James Baker!)
FAQs
We traced the origins of the popular cake to a 1957 recipe published in The Dallas Morning News. It may surprise you to learn that German Chocolate Cake is not actually German. (But don't worry, it's still very much chocolate and still very much cake.) And it's also very Texan.
Is German chocolate cake actually German? ›
Where Did German Chocolate Cake Originate? Even though the cake is called German, it wasn't brought over from Germany. Instead, it originated in Dallas, Texas, in 1957 — but, just like the cake, its history is much richer than that.
Is German chocolate cake from Texas? ›
Despite the name, German chocolate cake was born in Dallas in the 1950s. This dessert remains just as popular today, thanks to its ridiculously rich coconut-pecan frosting.
Where did chocolate cake originate? ›
The history of chocolate cake began in the 18th century in America, when it transitioned from a beverage to an ingredient in cakes and biscuits. Early recipes emerged in the 19th century, with significant advancements such as the cocoa press by Coenraad Van Houten in 1828, making cocoa powder more accessible.
What is a misconception about German Chocolate Cake? ›
A common misconception is that German Chocolate Cake comes from Germany. In fact, the name comes from American baker, Samuel German, who developed a type of dark baking chocolate in 1852. The baking chocolate was then named Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate in honor of German.
Are bundt cakes German? ›
The Bundt cake derives in part from a European brioche-like cake called Gugelhupf. In the north of Germany, Gugelhupf is traditionally known as Bundkuchen (German pronunciation: [ˈbʊntkuːxn̩]), a name formed by joining the two words Bund and Kuchen (cake).
What are 2 differences between chocolate cake & German Chocolate Cake? ›
While the standard chocolate cake is chocolate through and through, with icing on top and sides, the German Chocolate Cake takes it up a notch with layers of caramel flavored icing with coconut and pecans between 3 layers of chocolate cake, making for fantastic moist cake.
What is the difference between German chocolate and bakers chocolate? ›
This chocolate was invented by Samuel German, who wanted to help bakers by combining the sugar with the chocolate for ease. Baker's named German's sweet chocolate after him, not the country, and it should only be used when specifically called for because of the additional sugar it contains.
Which dessert is known as the king of cakes in Germany? ›
A nickname of the Baumkuchen is also “king of cakes”. The reason for this is that baking a Baumkuchen is very elaborate and technically challenging.
What is the oldest cake in Europe? ›
An Austrian gem
While researching the oldest cake recipe recorded, a name kept popping: Linzer Torte. This now extremely popular Austrian delicacy can be found in a 1653 handwritten cookbook by the Countess Anna Margarita Sagramosa of Austria.
Normally Germany breakfasts consists not of dishes but rather a consortment of bread, cheese and sausages.
Was German chocolate cake invented? ›
It was created by Mrs. George Clay, a homemaker from Dallas, Texas, and used the "German's Sweet Chocolate" baking chocolate introduced in 1853 by American baker Samuel German for the Baker's Chocolate Company.
What is the most famous chocolate cake in the world? ›
The "Sachertorte" is a famous Viennese cake and probably the most famous chocolate cake in the world since 1832. The delicious treat consists of 3 layers of chocolate sponge cake with thickly spread apricot jam in between and on the top.
What is the oldest cake in the world? ›
The world's oldest known cake, baked during the reign of Pepi II in Egypt between BCE 2251 and 2157. Alimentarium, Vevey, Switzerland. The Egyptians gave us the world's oldest known cake–and also the world's oldest Tupperware as it happens.
What is the most popular dessert in Germany? ›
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is Germany's most famous dessert. It's also known as Black Forrest Cake.
Is Black Forest cake from Germany? ›
The Black Forest cake originated in the Black Forest region of Germany, hence its name. This picturesque region is known for its dense forests, charming villages, and delicious culinary traditions.
What's the difference between German chocolate and milk chocolate cake? ›
How is it different from other chocolate cakes? German chocolate cake is a cake made with a specific brand of chocolate, ie German's chocolate, or one that is made to taste like it. German's chocolate is a bit sweeter and milder chocolate than Baker's chocolate.
What is considered German chocolate? ›
This chocolate was invented by Samuel German, who wanted to help bakers by combining the sugar with the chocolate for ease. Baker's named German's sweet chocolate after him, not the country, and it should only be used when specifically called for because of the additional sugar it contains.
