It’s my birthday and that means it’s time for cake! Pastry chef & co-owner of Claudine Kitchen and Bakeshop, Lea Newton, made me my favorite treat; a German chocolate cake. Learn how to make it at home with Chef Lea.

RECIPES

Lea’s Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:
Sugar, 2 cups
All Purpose Flour, 1 3/4 cups
Hershey’s Cocoa, 3/4 cups
Baking Soda, 1 1/2 teaspoon
Baking Powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon
Salt, 1 teaspoon
Buttermilk, 1 cup
Eggs, 2 each
Butter, melted 1/2 cup
Water, HOT 1 cup
Folger’s instant coffee, 2 teaspoon

Directions:
Combine all dry ingredients (the first 6 ingredients) in the bowl of a mixer. With a paddle attachment, begin mixing the dries on the lowest speed.
Combine the buttermilk and eggs and add to the dry ingredients, scraping the bowl as needed.
Add the melted butter to the mixture.
Dissolve the Foldger’s into the hot water.

On the first speed, slowly add the coffee to the batter. (Be careful, or it will splash out.)
Divide the batter between the 2 pans – the batter is very wet!
Bake at 350 degrees as directed below, with one rotation midway. Test with a toothpick to determine if the cake is fully baked.

Weights and Baking Times:
5 inch round: 20 minutes
6 inch round: 25 minutes
7 inch round: 27 minutes
8 inch round: 30 minutes
9 inch round: 30 minutes
10 inch round: 30 minutes

German Chocolate Cake Filling

Ingredients:
Sweetened Condensed Milk, 14 oz
Yolks, slightly beaten 3 each
Butter, 1/2 cup
Vanilla, 1 teaspoon
Sweetened Coconut Flakes, 1 1/3 cup
Pecans, chopped 1 cup

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, yolks, and butter. Whisk together.
Over low heat, constantly stir the mixture until it has thickened and is bubbly.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, coconut, and pecans.
Allow to cool to room temperature before using.
Makes about 2 2/3 cups.
Can store in refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Ingredients:
Semi-sweet or dark chocolate (finely chopped), 18 ounces
Heavy cream, 2 cups
Unsalted butter, 1 cup

Directions:
Make the Chocolate Frosting (in advance).
Place chopped chocolate into a large heatproof bowl.
In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream and butter. Cook on med-high, stirring often, until just simmering.
Pour hot cream over chopped chocolate and cover bowl with plastic wrap.
Let sit 5 minutes.
Stir gently until completely smooth.
Place plastic wrap directly on top of chocolate. Allow to thicken and set overnight.