Are you craving a rich, intensely flavorful dessert that's surprisingly easy to make? Look no further! This German Chocolate Poke Cake recipe is a delightful combination of moist chocolate cake, creamy coconut pecan frosting, and a delightful poke-through technique that elevates it to another level. It's perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or simply satisfying a serious sweet tooth. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious and easy-to-make dessert! This recipe offers a quick dinner option for those busy weeknights and is a fantastic addition to your collection of homemade cooking recipes.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecan halves, toasted
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Instructions:
Making the Cake:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This ensures your cake releases easily.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
- Coffee Infusion: Gradually pour in the hot coffee, mixing until the batter is smooth. The coffee adds incredible depth of flavor.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before poking holes.
Poking the Cake & Adding the Frosting:
- Poke the Holes: Once slightly cooled, use a wooden skewer or the handle of a spoon to poke holes evenly across the entire surface of the cake. Don't poke too deep; you just want to create pathways for the frosting.
- Make the Frosting: While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. Beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Frosting Ingredients: Fold in the toasted pecans and shredded coconut.
- Pour & Spread: Pour the frosting over the poked cake and spread evenly to coat the entire surface and fill the holes. You can use a spatula or offset knife.
Serving & Storage:
Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set before slicing and serving. Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Cooking Tips for the Best German Chocolate Poke Cake:
- Toast your pecans: Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor and gives them a nice crunch. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Let the cake cool slightly before poking: Poking a hot cake can cause the holes to collapse.
- Use good quality cocoa powder: The quality of your cocoa powder significantly impacts the flavor of the cake.
Variations:
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips to the cake batter for an extra chocolatey kick.
- Use different nuts: Substitute macadamia nuts or walnuts for the pecans.
- Add a layer of caramel: Drizzle caramel sauce over the cake before adding the frosting.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 400-450
- Fat: 20-25g
- Saturated Fat: 10-15g
- Sugar: 50-60g
This German Chocolate Poke Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It's a delicious, easy recipe perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!