National German Chocolate Cake Day
Try your hand at making a rich and delicate German chocolate cake, or go the lazy way and search your town for the finest pre-made version of the same.
Let’s face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me
Audrey Hepburn
Doesn’t just about everyone love chocolate? What about a chocolate cake?
Certainly, there are many people who believe that there is nothing in the world that isn’t made better when it is put into the form of a cake! If that’s the case, then, this is the perfect opportunity to get it right by diving into a lush, creamy cake that melts in your mouth.
A combination of rich chocolate cake that is mixed with fruit, and covered in frosting that makes a sweet tooth want to weep just from looking at it: this is the masterpiece that is the German Chocolate Cake.
While there are definitely a variety of ways to enjoy chocolate, the German Chocolate Cake is a masterpiece of baking and has been since its invention.
National German Chocolate Cake Day is the perfect excuse to learn to appreciate and enjoy this incredible and delicious dessert!
History of National German Chocolate Cake Day
Contrary to what many people might think, the German Chocolate Cake is not a cake that was invented by Germans! In fact, the Americans probably should get credit for it.
German Chocolate Cake was the brainchild of a man known as Samuel German. Samuel was a devotee of dark chocolate, being a fan of its rich and complex flavors. The invention of this cake is the culmination of that love and dedication to a bittersweet treat.
In 1852, Mr. German, an American baker, created baking chocolate that incorporated more sugar than was typical at the time. This chocolate he created was called Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate.
Long after Samuel German’s death, the Sweet Baking Chocolate traditionally used in this cake’s creation continued to be made by Baker’s Chocolate Company. It then gained a significant amount of popularity when it was specifically mentioned by Mrs. George Clay (a Texas homemaker) as she sent the cake recipe to be published in a Dallas Newspaper in 1957. Baker’s Chocolate then took the recipe for German Chocolate Cake and distributed it with their chocolate on the paper labels.
It is common that people mistake the name as the country of origin for this cake. But, instead of being made by Germans, it was created by a Texas housewife and made with chocolate that was invented by an American-English guy whose last name was German. A bit confusing, to be sure.
To be fair, some people think it was partially inspired by the German Black Forest Cake. However, even though it doesn’t actually hail from Germany, it is still one of the most delicious cakes available!
The combination of black cherries and coconut blend with the decadent frosting to create a delicious array of tastes and textures that will leave the tongue singing.
How to Celebrate National German Chocolate Cake Day
It’s no sacrifice to celebrate National German Chocolate Cake Day! Just use the time to indulge in and share the deliciousness that this dessert has to offer. Try these ways to celebrate:
Let Them Eat Cake!
The best way to celebrate National German Chocolate Cake Day is by consuming German Chocolate Cake! For those who have friends and family that are fans of chocolate, cherries, and coconut, it’s time to introduce them to this incredible creation.
Make a German Chocolate Cake
Although not extremely difficult, German Chocolate Cake does have a few steps that need to be followed in order to make it perfectly delicious! The ingredients include typical chocolate cake items such as butter, semisweet chocolate, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and milk.
But the more important part of the cake that makes it particularly delicious is the frosting! This is made from evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla. Of course, the most vital flavors in the frosting are the shredded sweet coconut and chopped pecans.
Make three layers of cakes, place frosting in between and on top, and then serve to friends and family who are likely to absolutely fall in love with it!
Try Other German Chocolate Cake Style Recipes
For those who don’t feel up to making an entire cake, try out these recipes that incorporate the flavors and ideas, without actually needing to bake a cake:
- German Chocolate Cake Milkshake. Throw chocolate ice cream, milk, shredded sweet coconut, pecans, caramel sauce, and some pieces of chocolate cake into the blender and mix it into a shake!
- German Chocolate Brownies. Use a normal pan of chocolate brownies (from scratch or bought at a store bakery). Top with a can of caramel coconut frosting, or make it from scratch. Garnish with pecans.
- German Chocolate Cake Cookies. Make up a batch of standard chocolate cookies (for ease, use a boxed mix) and frost with a can of caramel coconut frosting. Swirl laces of caramel syrup on top and add a whole pecan to the top of each cookie.
Raise Awareness About the Origins of German Chocolate Cake
For years people have been enjoying this creation while being wrong about its place of origin, so this would be a great time to help raise awareness that the German Chocolate Cake was invented by Samuel German.
In a world where German Chocolate Cake has nothing to do with Germany, it’s important to make these clarifications to as many people as possible. Let the truth be known and celebrate National German Chocolate Cake Day at the same time!
