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German Chocolate Roll Cake Recipe

German Chocolate Roll Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Chocolate lovers rejoice with this German Chocolate Roll Cake that brings Germany’s rich dessert tradition right to your kitchen table. Rolled with creamy coconut-pecan filling and rich chocolate sponge, this cake delivers pure delight in every delectable slice.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling and Topping:

  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 ⅓ cups shredded coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache:

  • 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Warm your oven to 350F (175C). Coat a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan with cooking spray, line with parchment paper, and spray the parchment.
  2. Whisk 1 cup flour, ½ cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl.
  3. In a separate large bowl, combine 1 cup sugar, ½ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 egg, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
  4. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients on low speed until just combined.
  5. Pour 1 cup boiling water into the batter slowly while mixing on low. The mixture will appear very thin.
  6. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Run a knife around pan edges. Lift cake out using parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack.
  8. In a saucepan, whisk together 1 cup evaporated milk, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup butter, and 3 egg yolks until smooth.
  9. Cook the mixture over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens and coats a spoon.
  10. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 ⅓ cups coconut, and 1 cup pecans.
  11. Dust a clean kitchen towel generously with powdered sugar.
  12. Carefully flip cooled cake onto the sugared towel and remove parchment paper.
  13. Spread coconut pecan filling across cake, leaving a ½-inch border on one long edge.
  14. Roll the cake tightly from the nearest edge, using the towel to guide you.
  15. Wrap the rolled cake in the towel, then in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
  16. Chop 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate finely and place in a heatproof bowl.
  17. Heat ½ cup heavy cream until it just starts to simmer.
  18. Pour hot cream over chocolate and let sit for one minute.
  19. Stir until chocolate melts completely and ganache looks smooth and glossy.
  20. Remove cake from refrigerator and unwrap. Place on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
  21. Pour ganache over cake, spreading evenly with a spatula.
  22. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the ganache.
  23. Slice cake into 1-inch thick pieces and dust with extra powdered sugar if desired.

Notes

  • Always use room temperature eggs for the cake batter to ensure even mixing and a smoother texture.
  • When rolling the cake, use a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticking and help create a tight, even roll.
  • Let the coconut pecan filling cool slightly before spreading to prevent the cake from becoming soggy and to maintain the filling’s consistency.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, making sure to use one that contains xanthan gum for better texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Cakes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 402 kcal
  • Sugar: 34 g
  • Sodium: 170 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg