German Chocolate is the favored cake of two in our household, but the least favored of two others. We do not indulge in dessert often, birthdays being the exception.
In order to honor birthday wishes and still include everyone in a celebratory cake, this “halvsies” cake has become a standard that suits everyone.
Ghirardelli Grand Fudge Cake is a fantastic base for the classic Coconut-Pecan Frosting and of course, it marries well with Ghirardelli Buttercream Frosting.
By now I am sure you’ve noticed I am more cook than baker, so it should be no surprise that the photos reveal that my cake fell; it was still absolutely delicious, so that is what we will focus on.
My lack of passion for baking and living at altitude does not help with delicate baked items, but I get by. 😉 Although I only frost half the cake with each one, I do not reduce the frosting recipes—not only is it hard to measure half an egg yolk it is easy to use the leftover frosting for graham cracker treats.
It has been a whirlwind birthday season at our house with four cakes in just 7 weeks, Ghirardelli Grand Fudge Cake with Coconut-Pecan and Chocolate Buttercream Frosting was a delightfully sumptuous finish.
Ghirardelli Grand Fudge Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter , softened
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/3 cups whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch round cake pans or place a round of parchment in the bottom of each cake pan and butter the sides. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Reduce speed to low, and add vanilla and eggs one at a time, scraping bowl after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and milk (starting and ending with the flour mixture), while mixing on low speed. Continue to mix until smooth.
- Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center of cake comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks before frosting.
Notes
Serves 16
Nutrition
![German Chocolate Cake [Ghirardelli Grand Fudge] | Savoring Today](https://savoringtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/German-Chocolate-Cake-Ghirardelli-Grand-Fudge.jpg)
Coconut-Pecan Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
- 1 1/4 cups pecans coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar, evaporated milk, butter and eggs yolks and cook over medium heat, while stirring, until mixture begins to bubble, approximately 12 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Mix coconut and pecans in a large bowl to break up any clumps of coconut. Pour caramel sauce over pecans and coconut, add vanilla, and stir until it reaches spreading consistency (it will thicken as it cools). Cool completely before frosting cake.
Notes
Nutrition
Ghirardelli Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter softened to room temperature
- 2 2/3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In a bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, mix confectioner’s sugar with cocoa.
- Blend sugar mixture with butter alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Beat until smooth. Blend in vanilla.
Notes
![German Chocolate & Buttercream Frosted Cake [Ghirardelli Grand Fudge] | Savoring Today](https://savoringtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/German-Chocolate-Buttercream-Frosted-Cake-Ghirardelli-Grand-Fudge.jpg)
Special Note: For leftover frosting, spread on graham crackers as a filling between two crackers. Place sandwiched grahams into a plastic bag and keep in the freezer. Allow to thaw for only a few minutes and enjoy!
Martha says
Cut the recipe in half for myself and my husband. This cake is so good. I will make it tomorrow for my birthday! Happy
Birthday to me!
Chris says
This cake and buttercream are the best, my go to cake! It is listed on the cocoa bag, Going to try the variation for extra moist as suggested: reduce milk to 1 cup and when al mixed add 3/4 c boiling water and mix in. I always add at rounded teaspoon of powdered espresso for rich flavor.
Jim says
That frosting makes the cake!
Carol Hall says
My mom had a recipe for German Chocolate cake from the inside label of the Ghirardelli German Chocolate baking bar. The coconut pecan frosting looks like what she would put on the cake. Is this recipe available?
Judy Purcell says
Hi Carol! Yes, the recipe is in the post and I’ve updated it to be inside the recipe box so it’s easier to find. 🙂
Lilly Sue says
That looks rich and fabulous! 🙂
Monica says
Looks absolutely divine! Anything Ghiradelli related must be delicious!
Medeja says
Cake looks so delicious! And that frosting with nuts..I could eat it alone 🙂
Judy Purcell says
Thanks Medeja, for stopping by Savoring today and for your nice comment. Yes, the frosting with the pecans is delicious all by itself. 🙂
The Food Hunter says
Oh I’ve got to try this frosting!
Bunkycooks says
Oh, my…what an incredibly decadent cake! Chocolate cake is one of the few cakes that I really enjoy and this one looks like its worth the calories. 🙂
rsmacaalay says
They look divine and decadent, I hope I can make one like those soon 🙂