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Gluten-free German chocolate cake on a round white board on a neutral linen.
4.86 from 34 votes

Gluten-Free German Chocolate Cake

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Decorating Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Calories: 656kcal
Author: Ai Willis
This gluten-free German chocolate cake has layers of moist chocolate cake and rich coconut pecan frosting that's decadent and delicious!
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Ingredients

Chocolate cake

Frosting

Instructions

Chocolate cake

  • In a small bowl, stir together non-dairy milk and apple cider vinegar. Let the mixture sit and curdle.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Set it aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, non-dairy milk mixture, and vanilla extract.
  • Add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour in the hot coffee and stir again until a smooth mixture forms. Cover the bowl and let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
  • While the batter rests, preheat the oven to 340°F (170°C) and grease and line three 6-inch round pans (or two 8-inch round pans) with parchment paper.
  • Evenly pour the batter into the cake pans and bake for 32-35 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes before taking them out onto a cooling rack to let them cool completely.
  • Once cooled, wrap each layer with plastic and put it in the fridge or freezer for an hour.

Frosting

  • In a saucepan, mix together egg yolks and evaporated milk. Add butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt.
  • Heat it on medium heat while whisking constantly. Once it reaches a boil, continue to whisk for 5 minutes.
  • Take it off the heat and add the coconut and pecans. Let it cool completely before putting it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Assembly

  • Slice the domes off of the chilled cake layers to make them flat and even. Each layer should be about an inch tall.
  • Place one cake layer on a cake stand or plate. Put a third of the frosting on the cake and spread it to the edge using an offset spatula, knife, or spoon.
  • Place another cake layer on top and spread another third of the frosting on top. Repeat once more, finishing with frosting on top.

Notes

How to make homemade evaporated milk: Put 1⅓ cup (400ml) non-dairy milk in a small pot. Heat it on medium heat, and once it reaches a boil, turn the heat to low and simmer to reduce until you end up with a cup of evaporated milk.
Evaporated milk substitute: Canned coconut milk! Make sure it's the kind that comes in a can, as it's thicker.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 656kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 33g | Sodium: 583mg