What's the difference between German chocolate and regular, everyday chocolate?

Question

Besides the fact the German chocolate has the word "German" in it, what's the difference? ie, I'm making my friend a German chocolate cake for her birthday, but what's the difference with regular chocolate?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Instead of basically repeating what I found online and possibly muddling it, I'll just give you the link so you can read it for yourself. =)

http://ask.yahoo.com/20040527.html

I hope it answers your question. =)

Answer 2

A German chocolate cake usually means that it has coconut in the frosting and the filling. This recipe also has pecans.

German Chocolate Cake Recipe #3169

Yes, it *was* originally called German's Chocolate Cake but most the mixes, recipes and ads for selling a cake like this, that I see, call it "German Chocolate Cake". That is also what everybody I know calls it and what I would search for if I was looking for the recipe. Therefore, that's what I'm calling mine. It is the traditional light chocolate cake with the coconut and pecan icing that we remember from our childhood.

by Marg (CaymanDesigns)

12 servings

1 hour 15 min prep

1/2 cup boiling water
4 ounces sweet cooking German chocolate
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
4 egg whites, stiffly beaten


Coconut Pecan Frosting

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 egg yolks
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease 2 9-inch square pans or 3 8-inch round pans.

Line bottom of pans with wax paper.

Pour boiling water on chocolate, stirring until chocolate is melted; cool.

Mix sugar and butter in large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs yolk, one at a time. Beat in chocolate and vanilla on low speed.

Mix in flour, baking soda and salt alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition until batter is smooth.

Fold in egg whites.

Divide batter among pans.

Bake square pans 40-45 minutes or round pans 35-40 minutes.

Check for doneness with toothpick in center.

Cool and top with Coconut-Pecan Frosting.

Coconut Pecan Frosting:.

Mix sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and egg yolks in saucepan.

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 12 minutes.

Take off Heat.

Stir in coconut and pecans.

Beat until spreading consistency. Allow to cool & thicken before icing cake.

Source(s):

http://www.recipezaar.com/3169

Answer 3

"GroveBee" Said it all!