Spoiler Alert: German Chocolate Cake Isn’t German
You know what the most un-German thing I have ever heard of is? German Chocolate Cake.
I came to Germany thinking I might get my hands on The Best Chocolate Cake Ever, but I have seen no cake made of chocolate. I have seen no coconut in any dessert. And now I’m wondering if anyone around here would even touch such a crazy combination. I mean, they turned down my chocolate chip cookies, after all. Sure I’ve had the best cake of my life in Germany, and I’ve probably mentioned how amazing chocolate is around here at least a million times. I think Europeans have a very refined taste for desserts.
German chocolate cake just doesn’t even SOUND like it could be something my neighbors would be interested in.
So you want in on a little secret I learned?
German chocolate cake has nothing to do with Germany. The original recipe was created in 1957 by an Englishman named Samuel German. He invented it for Baker’s chocolate who then called the cake German’s chocolate cake. Not long after, the apostrophe and “s” were accidentally dropped in a cookbook, and the next thing you knew, we all started thinking the cake came from Germany.
Just thought I’d tell you during this post-Valentine’s Day chocolate coma.
Now we’re back to the drawing board in search of some delicious European recipes, and we promise to share. In the meantime, have any favorites in your family that you might want to pass on? We’re also taking suggestions for any European recipes you’d like us to find and taste test.
February 15th, 2009 at 4:51 am
I had no idea!
I love the cookies I get from Germany every year for Christmas, best cookies ever!
February 15th, 2009 at 6:05 am
I was born and raised in Germany and have a few favorites that I would get at the local bakeries. ‘Windbeutel’ is one of them a puff pastry filled with fresh whipped cream and I used to add strawberries, another is ‘Schwarzwaelder Kirschtorte’ or Blackforest cake but I only could have a piece of this because it is so rich, I loved the hazelnut coffee cakes that were baked in a loafpan covered with a cinnamon glaze and last but not least my Mom’s Cheesecake nothing like american cheesecake it’s made with Quark, real light and fresh and about 2 inches high – sooooo delicious!!! I miss the little cafe’s that have the bakery in it where you could stop on a weekend afternoon for a cup of coffee or tea and some delicious bakegoods. Thank you for bringing back those memories from 20 years ago.
Have a wonderful Sunday,
Tam
February 15th, 2009 at 6:51 am
I had no idea about German Chocolate cake. I don’t know many german desserts, but can you get cannoli’s over there? They’re more of an italian thing, but yummy!
February 15th, 2009 at 9:20 am
That is very interesting! I think you should try to make Cornish Pasties. I’ve been meaning to post the recipe to my food blog….am a little behind at the moment! Hope you guys had a great weekend!
February 15th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I hate German chocolate cake. Anything with coconut really. Blech! We had a dinner party last night and one of my friends brought over an Erdbeer-sahne torte. Sweet heaven it was good. We put some shaved dark chocolate on top of it. There’s a Confectionery shop in downtown HD that has amazing desserts. They have a Schwarzwaelder Kirschtorte that is to die for. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Yummy. I’m driving to Strasbourg, France tomorrow and am so looking forward to the yummy French pastries. Man, I love living in Europe. ;)
February 15th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
You mentioned you haven’t found a German treat that include coconut. Look no further! At the bakeries, they have something like a macaroon that is very tasty. (Some more than others.) It has chocolate on the bottom, too, which is a very nice addition. Full of fat and calories, I am sure, but worth every cent. You’ll have to try it. Mmmm.
February 15th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Thanks for the lesson! I had no idea about the German Chocolate Cake!
You HAVE to stop talking about german chocolate though…I’m going crazy over here! If you keep talking about it, I will just have to start blogging about Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or something! :)
February 15th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Oh! You wouldn’t DARE, Katie!! haha We crave peanut butter cups way too much, so I won’t say a word about the chocolate. :)
I’m afraid to let Martin see all of your comments, everyone. He’s going to start drooling… and running to the bakery. It’s a good thing it’s Sunday and everything is closed because Oh My Gosh!
Katie
February 15th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
That’s funny. I was just thinking the other day that you must have good chocolate cake in Germany. I’m glad to know that you expected the same thing, it helps me feel a little less silly.
There’s a similar story about a local street. It was to be called ‘Street John’ after a local businessman and landowner, written St. John. Today it’s called Saint John’s Street, because the government official who got the map and assigned the actual name misinterpreted the abbreviation.
February 15th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I just spent a while looking at your site. Interesting concept of living in Germany. I had an idea that it was expensive and homes are actually handed down through the generations, but… a water meter? We are on well water and there is an infamous amount down there (sorry). We traveled to Germany a couple of times. Loved it.
About the german cake. My mom used to buy it all the time. I never did associate to Germany… maybe it’s a Canadian thing lol
We also have a hefty tax. We have a 7% GST tax and 7% PST tax. We hate it but what can you do, but pay it. GRRRR
It was nice meeting you. Your kitchen is looking great.
BTW We have had IKEA here for a long time. Their stuff always looks great but falls apart all the time. Be careful.
Love Claudie
xo
February 15th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Huh, I had no idea that German chocolate cake was named after a person, not the country. Well, it still tastes delicious no matter where it originated! Thanks for the interesting info.
February 16th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
My husband will be very upset when I break this news to him….He loves German Chocolate cake and I have finally perfected that wacky coconut/nut cooked frosting…Oh, no need to tell him.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Thank you for sharing the story! I had not idea!
By the way, I make wonderful German Chocolate Cake and icing from scratch!!!! Yummy!
June 12th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Hey!! Katie, thanks for the information on German chocolate cake . . . .which turns out has nothing to do with the country Germany. Now, Black Forest Cake – they say, it is a German cake ? Want to make a Black Frost Cake for my hubby’s birthday. If this cake is really German dessert ? If so, can you give me some tips on how to make an authentic Black Forest Cake.
Thanks!!
June 15th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Shaheda,
I’ve never seen chocolate cakes of any type in Germany.. so now you have me curious about Black Forest! I’ll have to look into it. If I had to guess, I would say it isn’t German either. If I find enough info, I’ll write a post about it.
Katie
November 26th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
hey there!
if you’re looking for a kind of ‘chocolate cake’ in germany, better not go for “schokoladenkuchen”, as these are mostly dryer cakes with chocolate on the outside (frosting as you know it from america doesn’t exist here. first time i tried it in the states i was really shocked… it’s simply much too RICH…)
try “sachertorte”, thats closest to “betty crockers german choc cake”. also “herrentorte” (esp. “dunkle herrentorte”, but that might not be as common) or any variation of “schokoladen torte”. VERY rich cakes with plenty of chocolate .
have fun :)
m. from duesseldorf