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Home » Quick and Easy Recipes

WHITE GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Updated: May 4, 2026 · Published: Mar 16, 2025 by Sana Umer · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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White German Chocolate Cake offers a delightful variation on the classic German chocolate cake. With light, fluffy cake layers, it’s complemented by a rich, coconut-pecan frosting that adds depth and texture.

This cake is a great option for any special occasion, whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or a simple family gathering. The frosting, made with coconut and chopped pecans, brings a rich, nutty contrast to the cake's delicate texture.

What makes this cake so unique is the use of white chocolate in both the cake batter and the frosting. The white chocolate gives the cake a creamy richness that pairs beautifully with the coconut and pecans.

Despite its rich appearance, this cake is relatively easy to prepare. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make a dessert that will impress any crowd. The recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced bakers alike.

The cake layers are soft and airy, making it a light and indulgent dessert. Now, let's get started with the ingredients and directions so you can create this irresistible White German Chocolate Cake!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Light and Fluffy Cake: The white cake layers are soft and fluffy, providing a perfect, delicate base for the rich frosting.

  • Rich Coconut and Pecan Frosting: The frosting, made with coconut and pecans, adds a sweet, nutty texture that perfectly complements the light cake layers.

  • Perfect for Special Occasions: Whether it's a birthday or holiday, this cake is the perfect dessert to celebrate any special event or gathering.

  • Simple Yet Elegant: Despite its impressive appearance, this cake is easy to make with simple ingredients and clear instructions.

  • Crowd-Pleaser: With its balanced flavor profile, this cake is sure to be a hit at any party or family gathering.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 oz white chocolate, melted
  • ½ cup coconut flakes
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Directions

  • Step No.1: Preheat the oven
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Set them aside.

  • Step No.2: Prepare dry ingredients
    In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.

  • Step No.3: Cream butter and sugar
    In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

  • Step No.4: Add egg whites and vanilla
    Add the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.

  • Step No.5: Mix in dry ingredients and buttermilk
    Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.

  • Step No.6: Melt the white chocolate
    Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in the microwave. Once melted, allow it to cool slightly, then stir it into the batter.

  • Step No.7: Bake the cake
    Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  • Step No.8: Prepare the frosting
    In a medium saucepan, combine the coconut flakes, chopped pecans, and sweetened condensed milk. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens.

  • Step No.9: Assemble the cake
    Allow the cake layers to cool completely before frosting. Place one layer of cake on a plate, then spread a layer of frosting evenly over it.

  • Step No.10: Frost the cake
    Place the second cake layer on top and cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Garnish with extra coconut and pecans if desired.

Tips for Success

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for a smooth, well-incorporated batter.

  • Don't Overmix the Batter: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined to avoid a dense cake texture.

  • Let the Cakes Cool Completely: Allow the cakes to cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting or sliding off.

  • Use High-Quality White Chocolate: The quality of the white chocolate significantly impacts the flavor of the cake, so opt for premium chocolate.

Variations

  • Add Toasted Coconut: For extra flavor and crunch, toast the coconut before adding it to the frosting for a smoky, richer taste.

  • Use Almonds Instead of Pecans: You can swap the pecans for chopped almonds if you prefer a slightly different nutty flavor.

  • Make Cupcakes: Use the same batter to make cupcakes. Bake for 18-20 minutes, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.

  • Add a Citrus Twist: Incorporating lemon or orange zest into the cake batter will add a refreshing citrus flavor to balance the sweetness.

Serving and Storage

Serving:

Serve this cake slightly chilled or at room temperature. A dollop of fresh whipped cream on the side makes it even more indulgent.

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of chocolate for this cake?

While this recipe uses white chocolate, you can substitute milk or dark chocolate, but it will change the flavor.

Can I freeze the cake?

Yes, the cake can be frozen. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, substitute dairy-free butter and milk. However, the frosting may need to be adjusted for the best consistency.

Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Yes, the frosting can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slightly before using.

This white german chocolate cake is a delightful combination of rich, moist layers and sweet, nutty frosting that will definitely impress your guests.

Whether you're baking it for a special occasion or just because it’s an easy recipe that brings incredible flavor and texture.

The white chocolate adds a luxurious touch, while the coconut and pecans create a unique, satisfying crunch.

The cake itself is light and airy, making it a perfect balance against the richness of the frosting.

Serve it at your next gathering, and you'll surely receive rave reviews!

Plus, any leftovers (if there are any) can be stored for a few days, making it a treat that keeps on giving. Enjoy!

WHITE GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Sana Umer
This White German Chocolate Cake features moist layers of fluffy white cake, paired with a rich, creamy coconut-pecan frosting. It's a delicious twist on the classic German chocolate cake, perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any special celebration.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 oz white chocolate melted
  • ½ cup coconut flakes
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch cake pans.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Add buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
  • Fold in the egg whites until just combined.
  • Gently fold in the melted white chocolate until fully incorporated.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
  • Frost with coconut-pecan frosting and garnish with extra chopped pecans and coconut if desired.

Notes

  • Make sure to cool the cake completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
  • For a richer flavor, use high-quality white chocolate.
  • The coconut-pecan frosting can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • For a lighter cake, you can replace buttermilk with regular milk.
  • Add extra coconut or pecans to the frosting for an even more indulgent texture.
  • If you don't have 9-inch pans, you can use 8-inch pans, but adjust the baking time accordingly.
  • This cake can be frozen for up to 1 month if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
  • This recipe is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.
Keyword coconut pecan frosting, dessert recipe, German chocolate cake, moist cake, white chocolate cake

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About Sana Umer

I'm Sana Umer — the home cook behind every recipe on For Foodie Friends. I'm a Pakistani-American mom of two based in the US, and I've been cooking seriously for about a decade now, mostly because feeding a family every day is the fastest way to learn how to actually cook.

I'm completely self-taught. I learned by watching my mother in Pakistan, by burning a lot of food in my early years, and by paying attention to which recipes worked and which ones needed fixing. I don't specialize in just one cuisine — I cook the Pakistani dishes I grew up with, the American desserts my kids request, weeknight dinners, holiday roasts, and everything in between.

Every recipe is personally tested in my own kitchen, every word is written by me, and every photo is taken of food I actually made.

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Hi, I'm Sana Umer — the home cook, recipe tester, and writer behind For Foodie Friends.

I'm a Pakistani-American mom based in the US. I learned to cook in two kitchens — my mother's in Pakistan, where I grew up watching whole spices bloom in oil, and my own kitchen now, where I cook for my husband and kids.

Every recipe on this site has been tested in my own kitchen, often more times than I'd like to admit, before it ever made it here. I cook a little bit of everything: the Pakistani comfort food I grew up with, the American desserts my kids beg for, weeknight dinners that need to come together fast, and the holiday spreads that take all day.

If a recipe is on this site, it earned its place. No ghostwriters, no AI shortcuts, no copy-paste from somewhere else — just real recipes from a real kitchen, written to actually work the first time you make them.

Welcome to my corner of the internet.

— Sana

More about me →

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