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You are here: Home / Recipes / Easy German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix

Desserts Recipes
Published: January 8, 2020 | Last Updated: November 11, 2020 | Author: Lois

Easy German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix

Dessert doesn’t get any easier than this recipe for German Chocolate Cake with a decadent homemade coconut pecan icing. Let me show you how to use another cake mix hack and turn a boxed cake mix into something amazing! 

German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix with Homemade Coconut Icing on white plate.

Do you love chocolate as much as I do? If you answered yes, then you are going to love this recipe for Easy German Chocolate Cake with Homemade Pecan Coconut Icing. The name alone sounds delicious, right?

If you’ve been a follower of my blog for any amount of time, you’ll know that I love a good recipe that starts out with a cake mix.  They’re just so easy!  

Make sure you check out my Cake Mix Baking Secrets and Printable for more great cake mix ideas.

By adding a few extra ingredients to this box of chocolate cake mix, you get a semi-homemade German chocolate cake recipe that’s delicious. But the real secret is in the homemade coconut pecan icing! 

German Chocolate Cake on baking rack waiting to be frosted from WOS

What is German Chocolate Cake?

Before we get to the recipe, where exactly did German Chocolate Cake originate from?  As a child I always thought Germany because, well, my dad was from Germany and he liked this cake. However, German Chocolate Cake was created in 1957 by a homemaker in Texas.

Yes, Texas!  Apparently the chocolate she used was developed by Samuel German for the American Baker’s Chocolate Company and they named the chocolate after him, Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate.

Did you know that June 11th is National German Chocolate Cake Day? Now we all have something yummy to bake to celebrate! 

What Type and Size Cake Pan to Use

You can use any type of cake pan, but I love a bundt cake pan. There are many different designs you can purchase too with a bundt cake pan these days.  Some are very elaborate and other’s are more traditional.

As with any cake pan, you’re going to want to make sure you coat it very well with non-stick cooking spray.

Ingredients: 

For the Cake:

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix; 15.25 ounce size prepared according to directions
  • Chopped pecans; 1/2 cup
  • Shredded coconut; 1/2 cup

For the Icing:

  • 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk; 14 ounces
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • Vanilla extract 1 tsp. 
  • Chopped pecans; 1/2 cup 
  • Shredded coconut; 1/2 cup 
  • Container of prepared chocolate frosting; you will not use the whole container. 

Ingredients for German Chocolate Cake

Directions

Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box. Then stir in the coconut and chopped pecans. Add the cake batter into the bundt cake pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray with flour included. Pam makes a great product that I’ve used a few times. 

How to make German Chocolate Cake from a cake mix WOS

How Do you Know when a Cake is Done?

Bake the cake according to the directions on the back of the cake mix box. My cake was done in 30 minutes.  

I always set a timer when I’m baking anything. However, I always set my timer for 3 to 5 minutes under the recommended baking time. Why? Because all ovens are different. 

That being said, follow these simple tips for helping you know when any cake recipe is done: 

  • Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean or with only a few crumbs clinging to it, it’s safe to remove the cake from the oven to a cooling rack. 
  • Another way that I like to use is to lightly touch the center of the cake. If it feels springy, it’s done. If you notice that your finger made an indentation in the center of the cake that is remaining, let the cake bake for a few more minutes. 
  • The final way is by looking at the edges of the cake pan. If you notice the edges are pulling away from the sides of the pan, the cake is done. 
  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes.

How to Remove a Cake from a Bundt Cake Pan

If you’ve ever had a cake get stuck in the pan it’s because it cooled too long in the pan. Which causes the cake to become damp and stick. Here are a few tips to getting the cake out of the pan perfectly. 

  • Tap the pan a few times. 
  • Shake the pan gently to help loosen the cake. 
  • You can also run a small knife around the edges of the pan to help release the cake from the pan. 
  • Invert the pan onto the cooling rack, gently lift the cake pan up and off the cake. 
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before adding the icing. 
German Chocolate Cake on baking rack waiting to be frosted from WOS

How to Make Homemade Coconut Pecan Icing

In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, butter and vanilla over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes or until it has thickened. Stir in the additional 1/2 cup of chopped pecans and 1/2 cup of shredded coconut.

Melt 1/2 cup of the prepared chocolate frosting in the microwave for 10 seconds or so. You want to be able to pour the frosting, but you don’t want it completely melted, so be careful.

Pour the melted chocolate frosting on top of the cake allowing the frosting to drip down the sides. I also love these silicon measuring cups for melting. You can easily handle them when the contents are extremely hot and you can squeeze them to help pour.

How to Add the Icing to the German Chocolate Cake

Allow the chocolate frosting to cool and a little before pouring the pecan coconut icing on top. Allowing the pecan coconut icing to drizzle down the sides of the cake as well.

German Chocolate Cake with Homemade Coconut Pecan Icing on Cooling Rack

Yes, I drizzled more melted chocolate frosting on top too!  And then added a few more chopped pecans.  It also helps to use a baking rack making clean up easy.Allow the frosted cake to cool before slicing and serving.

Pour melted chocolate frosting on top of cake.

A traditional German Chocolate Cake doesn’t have a layer of chocolate frosting on it, but I like the look the additional chocolate gives to the cake.  

German Chocolate Cake on white tray with serving spatula from WOS

MORE EASY CAKE MIX RECIPE HACKS

Here are a few more recipes that take a cake mix and turn them into something delicious. 

  • Peach Crunch Cake
  • Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
  • Apple Dump Cake – one of the most popular recipes on the blog! 
  • Lemon Poke Cupcakes
  • Marble Bundt Cake
German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix with Homemade Coconut Icing from WOS

Easy German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix

Yield: 1 cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

German Chocolate Cake semi-homemade recipe that uses with a boxed cake mix with a decadant homemade coconut pecan icing drizzled on top.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix; 15.25 ounce size prepared according to directions
  • Chopped pecans; 1/2 cup
  • Shredded coconut; 1/2 cup

For the Icing:

  • 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk; 14 ounces
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • Vanilla extract 1 tsp.
  • Chopped pecans; 1/2 cup
  • Shredded coconut; 1/2 cup
  • Container of prepared chocolate frosting; you will not use the whole container.

Instructions

How to Prepare the Cake:

  1. Once the cake has been prepared according to the directions on the box, add the 1/2 cup chopped pecans and 1/2 cup shredded coconut into the batter. Stir until combined.
  2. Pour the batter into a bundt pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
  4. After the cake has cooled for a few minutes, remove from the pan to continue cooling on a baking rack that is on top of a baking sheet. Meanwhile, prepare the icing.

How to Prepare the Coconut Pecan Icing:

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, butter and vanilla over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes or until it has thickened.
  2. Stir in the additional 1/2 cup of chopped pecans and 1/2 cup of shredded coconut.
  3. Melt 1/2 cup of the prepared chocolate frosting in the microwave for 10 seconds or so. You want to be able to pour the frosting, but you don't want it completely melted, so be careful.
  4. Pour the melted chocolate frosting on top of the cake allowing the frosting to drip down the sides.
  5. Allow the frosting to cool and a little before pouring the pecan coconut icing on top. Allowing the pecan coconut icing to drizzle down the sides of the cake as well.
  6. Then drizzle more of the melted chocolate frosting on top.
  7. Allow the frosted cake to cool before slicing and serving.

Notes

Please note that you will not use all of the prepared canned frosting. It's used to drizzle on top of the Homemade Coconut Pecan Icing.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 314Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 287mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 2gSugar: 33gProtein: 5g

The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.

© Lois
Cuisine: American / Category: Desserts

This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!

This post contains affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but I earn a commission when you shop through them.  For more information, click here.

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German Chocolate Cake from a Cake Mix
German Chocolate Cake with Homemade Pecan Coconut Icing


19 Comments

About Lois

Originally from Queens, NY, Lois now calls northeastern PA home. You can find her blogging over at Walking on Sunshine where she shares a little of her life, but more importantly what’s for dinner at her house tonight.

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Comments

  1. Jo(a Rose Tinted world) says

    February 7, 2020 at 5:15 am

    This looks amazing. I don’t think that using a cake mix is a cheat, you’ve still had to bake it! And loving the bundt tin.

    Reply
    • Lois says

      February 15, 2020 at 11:02 am

      Thanks Jo!!!

      Reply
  2. Leanna says

    February 4, 2020 at 9:41 pm

    I love using cake mixes, especially now that the kids are gone. A cake mix doesn’t dry out as fast as a totally homemade cake does. Your upgrade looks fantastic, I have to try it. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Lois says

      February 6, 2020 at 7:22 pm

      I feel the same way! Thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  3. jan says

    January 11, 2020 at 12:32 pm

    I always wish your Pin links worked.

    Reply
  4. Kathy Draper says

    December 30, 2019 at 6:04 pm

    Going to make this for my husband’s birthday. He is addicted to German Chocolate cake and I love the idea of a bundt cake. Please elaborate on how you do your chocolate drizzle frosting? Looking for a rich chocolate flavor but also something that will keep my bundt from drying out.
    Thanks Kathy

    Reply
    • Lois says

      January 6, 2020 at 8:46 am

      I have a homemade chocolate recipe included above for you to drizzle over the top of the cake. Thanks for visiting Kathy.

      Reply
  5. Steph says

    September 17, 2018 at 12:08 am

    Made tonight! Everybody is drooling awaiting for it to cool for a slice. Too bad I can’t take a pic of the finished product. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Lois says

      September 17, 2018 at 12:50 pm

      Thank you for letting me know!

      Reply
  6. Donna @Modern on Monticello says

    May 7, 2018 at 2:33 pm

    You sold me the minute you mentioned using a cake mix. Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Lois says

      May 8, 2018 at 2:53 pm

      Thank you! I love using cake mixes too. Easy! Thanks for visiting Donna.

      Reply
  7. Patrick Weseman says

    May 1, 2018 at 10:35 pm

    That looks so lovely. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Lois says

      May 2, 2018 at 4:25 pm

      Thank you for visiting!

      Reply
  8. Fabby says

    May 1, 2018 at 10:24 pm

    Oh wow, this recipe looks awesome ! I have a recipe for German Choc. Cake, but I would love to try yours.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Fabby

    Reply
    • Lois says

      May 2, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      Thank you for visiting and leaving such a lovely comment!

      Reply
  9. Beverly says

    May 1, 2018 at 12:02 am

    It sounds easy and delicious. Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Lois says

      May 1, 2018 at 10:10 pm

      Thank you Beverly! I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as my family does!

      Reply
  10. Veritable Decking Ipe for sale says

    September 20, 2017 at 1:35 pm

    Such an easy recipe for awesome cake! Totally remembering this for my next chocolate cake craving ��

    Reply
  11. Jeannie says

    May 10, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    German Chocolate cake is one of my favorite flavors, I love how you adapted a cake mix for the cake.

    Reply

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