German Chocolate Cheesecake Cake

This special occasion German Chocolate Cake has a cheesecake filling and topped with a homemade coconut pecan icing. This is the cake to bake if you want to to impress your guests. 
I made this wonderful German Chocolate Cheesecake Cake for Mothers Day, and all I can say is....this cake is incredibly heavenly!!!!  The first time I saw this recipe my jaw dropped on my keyboard I knew I had to make this cake!!!
 
I'm a huge German chocolate fan, especially homemade, so I knew this was going to be totally delicious. This cake takes a bit of time to pull together, so  make sure you have plenty of time. I think it is best to prepare this cake the night before of the day you want to serve it, so it has plenty of time to chill. 

The homemade icing on this cake is to die for, and if given the chance I could eat alone and right out of the pot. I really didn't think German Chocolate Cake could get any better, but I was wrong. I will be making this cake again and again. Let's get started on the step by step directions.

Start by pre-heating the oven to 325 degrees. Prepare the cake batter according to package directions (adding eggs, oil and water) for a 9 x 13 inch cake, set aside. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour half of the German chocolate cake batter into a greased and floured. 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.


Gently pour cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter (spread to the edge). Gently pour the remaining cake batter over the top of the cream cheese mixture and spread to the edge of the pan using an offset spatula. 



Bake cake at 325° for 60-75 minutes (depending on your oven) or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack for 1 hour. While the cake is cooling make the icing. In a heavy medium size saucepan, combine the sugar, milk, butter and egg yolks. 

Cook and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture starts to thicken and coats the back of a spoon (candy thermometer should reads 160°). Remove mixture from the heat and stir in vanilla. Fold in coconut and pecans. 


Cool until the icing reaches a spreading consistency and then frost the cooled. Refrigerate cake for at least 4-6 hours before serving. Refrigerate any leftovers.




Yield: 12
Author: Tina Butler | Mommy's Kitchen
German Chocolate Cheesecake Cake

German Chocolate Cheesecake Cake

This special occasion German Chocolate Cake has a cheesecake filling and topped with a homemade coconut pecan icing. This is the cake to bake if you want to to impress your guests.
Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 75 MinTotal time: 1 H & 45 M

Ingredients

Cake
  • 1 German chocolate cake mix (prefer Duncan Hines) + eggs, oil & water called for on box mix
Cheesecake Filling
  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1  1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4  eggs, lightly beaten
Coconut Pecan Frosting
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 stick (1/2 - cup) real butter, cubed
  • 3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Prepare the cake batter according to package directions (adding eggs, oil and water) for a 9 x 13 inch cake, set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour half of the German chocolate cake batter into a greased and floured. 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
  3. Gently pour cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter (spread to the edge). Gently pour the remaining cake batter over the top of the cream cheese mixture and spread to the edge of the pan using an offset spatula.
  4. Bake cake at 325° for 60 - 75 minutes (depending on your oven) or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack for 1 hour.
  5. To make the coconut pecan icing . In a heavy medium size saucepan, combine the sugar, milk, butter and egg yolks.
  6. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture starts to thicken and coat the back of a spoon (and a candy thermometer reads 160°).
  7. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in vanilla extract. Fold in coconut and pecans.
  8. Cool until icing reaches spreading consistency and then frost cooled cake. Refrigerate cake at least 4-6 hours before serving.
  9. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes:

This cake is not diet-friendly, but I'm sure you figured that out by the ingredients. This is a special occasion or holiday cake! It's definitely deadly, but so worth it. Everything is OK in moderation!!!! 

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68 comments

Krystal said…
Oh wow. . .oh wow. . .That looks amazing, and I want a piece right now!!
Heidi said…
I love German Chocolate cake and cheesecake. Putting them together has got to be a sin! I also really enjoy Priscilla's recipes. My mom is a huge German Chocolate fan and I think this will be her birthday cake this year. Hope your Mother's Day was great!
The Blonde Duck said…
I'd throw my diet to the wind for that!
Tina Butler said…
The Blonde Duck, I would to!!!!!!!!!! Man I cant stop eating this cake it is so darn good. What a awesome combination. I bet your mom would love this Heidi.
Ann and Billy said…
I will definately be trying this. I wish I had the ingredients to make it right now.
Oh yum, I was wondering about that recipe when I red about it on your blog!
SHERRI said…
"HEAVENLY" PERFECTLY DESCRIBES THIS ONE!
Michelle said…
This looks so good....german chocolate and cheesecake...what could be better!
Justin said…
oh man, that cheesecake looks like heaven!
Bunny said…
It doesn't get any better than this, fantastic!!
Anonymous said…
The recipe looks absolutely fabulous-can't wait to try it. I do have one question, the cheesecake part of the recipe calls for sugar - I am asuming powdered sugar, but I am checking to make sure.
LOVE YOUR SITE!!
Anonymous said…
All I can say is WOW! That looks so good!
Tina Butler said…
Anonymous, it is plain granulated sugar not powdered sugar. This cake is so yummylicous!!! I cant wait to make it again.
Anonymous said…
Thank you very much! Will be making it tomorrow.
Jo said…
This looks simply delicious. Great combination of German choc cake and cheesecake.
Natalie said…
Oh my goodness that looks divine!!!
Unknown said…
I just made this cake for a family gathering and what a smash hit! It is so delicious! You can taste each and every layer. My mouth is watering right now thinking of another piece! I have tried many recipes off other websites and 90% of the time, they don't work out or taste that good. So far, I've made 2 of your recipes and both times, 100% success! Thank you so much!
Tina Butler said…
Evan I am so glad you liked it. This is one of my favorite cakes and a great crowd pleaser. I hope you keep coming back to MK.
Adouma said…
I made this cake for my brother's birthday on Sunday. I saw it on your blog (I am a lurker...) a little while ago and couldn't wait for an occassion where I could enjoy it without feeling gluttonous. Thank you so much for posting this recipe. It was delicious and I got rave reviews all around.
This is so delicious i love it so much. Keep posting!

vee
annaed_2 said…
This looks awesome! I am enjoying poking around your site and collecting some new recipes! Thanks for sharing.
crudate said…
i tired this recipe today.... let me tell you its the bomb!

i would rcommend this cake to anyone!!!
Tina Butler said…
I would agree with you in those exact words. THE BOMB this is one of my favorite cakes. So glad you liked it.
Daphne said…
I baked this yummy treat this past weekend. I completely agree with eating the icing straight out of the pot! To die for! I posted about the cake on my blog and gave you a shout out. Come check it out! BTW- I grew up in your area and recently moved to KS. I hear you're supposed to get some snow this week! Good luck! http://www.foodjunkiefromtexas.blogspot.com/
Beth said…
Made the German Chocolate Cheesecake for my dad for his birthday yesterday..and it was sooooo delicious! Thanks for posting it!
Tammye Jo said…
Was looking for something different so I made this tonight. My hubby and son LOVED it. I am adding this to my "regulars" when it comes to desserts. THANKS!
Anonymous said…
Ha, what leftovers???? You're kidding, of course!
Donnett said…
I think I will surprise my husband with this one.. just because "I love you" cake :)

Knoxville TN!
donna said…
I made this cake and couldnt believe that it looked exactly like your pictures. This was so simple to make. I have had several requests to make again. I was a little concerned when I was making the icing because it didn't seem thick to me. But I let it rest and it came out perfect. I love your site. :)
Tina Butler said…
I am so glad you liked the cake. Just let the frosting sit in the pot until it is the consistency to spread on the cake. That frosting is so deadly, I love it. This cake is always a huge hit.
Anonymous said…
I am an activity director at a nursing home and we are always looking for new recipes to make at our cooking class. I found your sight yesterday and we made your German chocolate cheesecake today...everyone loved it!! Thank you so much for the GREAT recipe!!!
Tina, I'm practically drooling over your cake. That looks so yummy. I am saving this for my Dad. He loves german chocolate. I wanted to invite you to come over and share your recipe at These Chicks Cooked Recipe Spotlight today. Have a great day :)
Katie
April S. said…
im doing this recipe for my husband for fathers day thanks for posting these recipes. i truly have enjoyed your site it is now listed as one of my favorites under bookmarks..lol. april s.
Michelle said…
I just made this cake for the first time this past weekend. I had been wanting to make it for about 6 months now, and finally had an excuse to make it, when my mother-in-law came for dinner. We LOVED it! My husband can't stop talking about how good it is, and how it is definitely "a keeper". I love your website, and my family always knows that if I say I got a recipe off of your website, it is GONNA BE GOOD :)
Anonymous said…
omgosh german choc cheesecake, valentines day is coming n my husband loves german choc cake n my 2 grown boys love cheesecake what a great recipe cant wait to make this yummmmmmo
Anonymous said…
Hi Tina,

I just wanted to let you know I tried this recipe last night and it was absolutely amazing. My family enjoyed it. I am actually about to have a piece right as I type this. I had to omit the pecans bc my daughter has a severe peanut allergy. The coconut well i forgot to pick some up and I was right at the store lol. Hubby and the girls were disappointed but they said the cake tasted good. I guess I have to do this again a few weeks lol.
Anonymous said…
I'm always about presentation & I want my cake to look like the picture. Well when I poured my cream cheese mixture on top most of it started to sink, like I was trying to make it marble. Guess my mixture wasnt thick enough for whatever reason. I really want to have the cream cheese layer. What did I do wrong? :-(. Although I'm sure it will still taste the same.
Tina Butler said…
Maybe your filling wasn't thick enough. It will sink some but not completley. The photos show the cosistencey on how it should look. I don't know how it could be that thin with 2 packages of cream cheese, sugar and eggs.
Anonymous said…
I'm sending my boyfriend out now to buy more cream cheese, but I'm going to put chocolate chips in the cheesecake part and omit the frosting because I'm not a big fan of it.
Anonymous said…
I'm going to make a layer of cheesecake below the cake so It won't mix like those concerned. Another option could be to bake the lower layer of cake for a few minutes before adding the other 2 layers
Anonymous said…
I made this cake and took it to a church dinner today. It was delicious and received rave reviews! That frosting! YUM. I could have just eaten it all by itself! Thanks so much for this recipe!
Anonymous said…
If I make this in the morning, should I refrigerate the cake until it is time to serve?
Tina Butler said…
Yes. Anything with cream cheese would need to be refrigerated. I hope you like it.
tzlsh said…
This looks SO yummy. Will need my Fatfighters handy when I make this!
Unknown said…
Would I be able to make this as a round cake? Do you have any suggestions on how I could do that?
Unknown said…
Just get a large round pan. I have a Wilton pan that I can double a boxed mix and it's wonderful!
Unknown said…
I have a large round Wilton cake pan that's ideal!
Unknown said…
My grandmother used to make a cake similar to this one and it was great. You're so right about homemade frosting. I'll never use the canned one again.
robbin said…
You cant let " DIET" run ur life... eat in moderation & u can still enjoy the fun stuff
Gina said…
I made this cake this morning. WOW! I did make an adjustment though. yes when it is homemade it really is much better. I did not use a cake mix but made my cake from scratch. Everything was homemade
Unknown said…
Will make cake for the 4th of July. Family binner.
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the recipe. I did not understand the last line of the directions - Refrigerate leftovers? What leftovers could there possibly be? Yum!
Anonymous said…
I've searched 3 stores for DH 18.5 oz cake mix but no luck. I ended up with a 16oz off brand so we'll see how it goes. I guess if anything mine will be more cream cheesy. - Carol
Tina Butler said…
I removed the ounces on the cake mix in the ingredient listing. Since posting this recipe years ago the cake mixes have been reduced in size. Just use any brand german chocolate cake mix.
lemondropp said…
Has anyone used a bundt cake pan? Im gonna make this soon
Unknown said…
Does the thermometer have to be a meat one or candy one
jeejee said…
Wow gotta try this thank you !
Anonymous said…
How Long Does It Take For Icing To Cook Approx??
Unknown said…
Chocolate cake is always great, and it doesn't have to be fancy. The important thing is the texture of the cake.
Sherry said…
I will have to try this. The only thing I will do different is use buttermilk instead of water in the cake mix. Thanks for a new recipe!
Anonymous said…
Is there a way to make this without using a 9x13? I'm wanting to put in cake plate for presentation! Thanks!
Anonymous said…
Did you try this in bundt?
Tina Butler said…
I have only made this in a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
Anonymous said…
It says granulated
Unknown said…
Wow this cake is sooo good! I made it in an 8x8 pan and cut the cheese cake filling in half...I also used the store bought pecan coconut frosting because I was on a budget & it still came out delicious. My husband & I loved it!
Anonymous said…
I'm going to make it for Thanksgiving next week! Absolutely CANNOT wait to try this! The picture looks good enough to eat. If it's a sin, Lord forgive me now! Lol!
Lisa said…
Can I try brownie mix instead of cake mix
Lisa