German chocolate is a sweet chocolate baking bar created in 1852 by American baker Samuel German. The term “German chocolate” refers specifically to this particular sweet baking chocolate that was created by German. It does not indicate that the chocolate was made in Germany or has any ties to German cuisine. So what makes German’s Sweet Chocolate different from other baking chocolates? Let’s take a closer look.
The History of German Chocolate
In 1852, Samuel German developed a type of dark baking chocolate for Baker’s Chocolate Company. German worked at the Walter Baker & Company chocolate factory in Massachusetts. He developed the recipe for a sweeter, milder baking chocolate by mixing chocolate with sugar and other ingredients. This new sweeter chocolate was suitable for baking cakes, cookies, and other desserts.
The Walter Baker & Company began mass producing German’s creation and selling it under the name “Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate” in 1894. This was distinct from their other products that were 100% pure unsweetened chocolate. The name “German” referred specifically to Samuel German’s last name, indicating it was his particular recipe. The product and the name “German’s Sweet Chocolate” grew very popular and was widely used in the early 20th century.
In 1957, the Baker’s brand was acquired by General Foods which continued to produce German’s Sweet Chocolate. Today, German’s is produced under the Kraft Heinz Company after a series of company acquisitions and mergers. It remains a common baking chocolate brand sold in the United States and many other countries. The term “German chocolate” passed into the English language as a generic term referring to chocolate for baking rather than pure chocolate for eating.
Difference Between German Chocolate and Regular Baking Chocolate
So what sets German chocolate apart? Here are the key differences between German’s Sweet Chocolate and regular unsweetened baking chocolate:
- German chocolate contains sugar, while regular unsweetened baking chocolate does not. It has a sweeter taste.
- German chocolate contains added cocoa butter, which makes it melt more easily for baking.
- German chocolate has a milder, less bitter taste than darker varieties of baking chocolate.
- German chocolate contains 4 ounces of chocolate liquor to one ounce of sugar. Regular baking chocolate contains no additional sugar.
- The mildest cocoa beans from Ecuador are used in German chocolate to give it a gentler, sweeter flavor.
So in summary, German chocolate has added sugar and cocoa butter, resulting in a sweeter, milder chocolate that melts well in baking applications. Regular baking chocolate does not contain added sugar or extra cocoa butter.
German Chocolate Cake
German chocolate is very commonly used to make German chocolate cake. This cake was named after the “German’s” branded baking chocolate. The origins of German chocolate cake recipes can be traced back to a recipe printed in a Dallas newspaper in 1957. The recipe used German’s Sweet Chocolate and became quite popular as “German’s Chocolate Cake”. Despite the name, this cake has no real ties to Germany and originated completely from within the United States!
German chocolate cake typically consists of chocolate cake layers with a coconut-pecan frosting filling. The filling is made by mixing egg yolks, evaporated milk, butter, coconut, and pecans then cooking until thickened. This gooey coconut-pecan filling is what really defines German chocolate cake and makes it stand out from other chocolate cakes.
German Chocolate Cake Recipe
Here is a typical recipe for German chocolate cake using German’s Sweet Chocolate:
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups white sugar
- 4 eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 (1 ounce) squares German sweet chocolate, melted
- 1 cup buttermilk
Coconut-Pecan Filling
- 4 egg yolks
- 1⁄2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
- 1 1⁄3 cups flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour three 9 inch cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the melted chocolate.
- Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold gently into the cake batter.
- Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
- To make the filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the egg yolks, evaporated milk, sugar, and butter. Cook over medium-low heat until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the coconut and pecans. Allow to cool completely.
- Once cakes are cool, spread filling between each layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.
The resulting cake will have a wonderful contrast of the sweet, moist chocolate layers and the gooey, nutty coconut-pecan filling.
Other Uses of German Chocolate
While German chocolate cake is by far the most popular dessert that uses German’s Sweet Chocolate, it can also be used in a variety of other recipes. Here are some other ways to use German chocolate in baking:
Cookies
German chocolate makes an excellent addition to chocolate chip cookies. It provides rich chocolate flavor without overpowering other ingredients. The extra cocoa butter also helps provide chewy, soft cookies. Try adding a couple squares of melted German chocolate to your next cookie recipe.
Brownies
The mild, sweet flavor of German chocolate works well in brownies. Substitute German chocolate for regular baking chocolate in brownie recipes for a softer, more melt-in-your mouth texture.
Frosting
Melt German chocolate and mix with powdered sugar and milk to create a creamy chocolate frosting for cakes and cupcakes. The sweetness balances well with neutral cakes.
Mousse
For a quick chocolate mousse, simply melt German chocolate with cream and mix until light and fluffy. The natural sugar content helps create mousse without adding extra sugar.
Pudding
German chocolate can be used to create chocolate pudding from scratch. Melt the chocolate into heated milk or cream along with egg yolks as a thickener. Sugar can be added or omitted depending on taste.
Sauces
Melt German chocolate into cream or butter to create easy chocolate sauce for desserts like ice cream, cheesecake or fruit. The sweetness balances acidic fruit flavors.
Where to Buy German Chocolate
German’s Sweet Chocolate remains widely available at most grocery stores in the baking aisle. Popular brands include:
- Baker’s German Sweet Chocolate – the original brand
- Nestle German Sweet Chocolate
- Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate – similar sweeter baking chocolate
German chocolate typically comes in 4 ounce bars or bags of individually wrapped 1 ounce squares. It is moderately priced, costing a dollar or two more than regular baking chocolate. Many stores keep it stocked near the chocolate chips and cocoa powder.
German chocolate can also be found online from chocolate brands, specialty baking websites, and on Amazon.
Conclusion
German chocolate is a type of sweet baking chocolate first created by Samuel German in 1852. It contains added sugar and cocoa butter, giving it a mild, sweeter flavor and smooth melting texture. While German chocolate has no real ties to Germany, it became very popular in American baking. German chocolate cake with coconut-pecan filling has become a classic American dessert made with German’s Sweet Chocolate. The chocolate can also be used in a variety of cookies, brownies, frostings, and other desserts. Look for German’s Sweet Chocolate in the baking aisle to bring rich chocolate flavor to all of your baked goods.