This mini German Chocolate Cake Recipe is sure to please. Delicious keto chocolate cake with sugar-free German Chocolate Frosting, in just the right size for sharing. Built-in portion control! This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill.
German chocolate cake is a relatively recent discovery for me. Yes, I know it’s been around for ages but I always passed it by in favor of other cake flavors. Why? I cannot even fathom that. I honestly cannot.
Do I like chocolate? D’uh!
Do I like pecans? Double d’uh!
Do I like coconut? OMG, do you even need to ask?
So why did I not come up with a low carb German Chocolate Cake recipe earlier? I have no flippin’ idea. It defies logic. I have no defense.
But now I’ve addressed the matter and created this sweet little mini chocolate cake, replete with a divine sugar free pecan coconut frosting. Will you forgive me? More importantly, can I forgive myself?
How To Make a Mini German Chocolate Cake
First, let me say that this Mini German Chocolate Cake Recipe was inspired by the one I saw on Chocolate Moosey. Since my mini keto desserts have been extremely popular, it seemed like an ideal makeover recipe that could be easily keto-fied.
As always, I turned to my trusty low carb baking sidekick, Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour. It’s perfect for my mini keto cakes and desserts because it’s finely ground, blanched almond flour. They turn out as well as any high carb cake, I would wager.
This time, I split my batter into three 4-inch ramekins. I was worried they wouldn’t be thick enough and would be very fragile but they held together perfectly. I really wanted the 3 layer look, but you could easily do 2 layers if you prefer. You can also use 4-inch springform pans.
Whatever pan you use, be sure to grease it well. I usually do a layer of butter topped with a layer of coconut oil spray or avocado oil spray.
With these mini keto cakes, I haven’t found that I need to use any protein powder. They are small enough to rise and to hold together easily without the added protein.
For the German Chocolate Cake Frosting
Traditional German Chocolate takes evaporated milk in the frosting, but that includes some unnecessary carbs. I’ve learned that using heavy cream in place of evaporated milk works in most recipes. It’s about as thick and it’s much lower carb.
Because this is such a small amount of frosting, you really want to use a small saucepan and keep your heat VERY low. Stay by your pan and whisk constantly, as it will thicken up quickly. If you’re working on an electric stove, you may want to take the pan off the heat a few times so the temperature doesn’t rise too quickly.
German chocolate cake frosting is meant to be somewhat gooey so I used a combination of Swerve and Bocha Sweet to achieve that consistency. When I have used all Swerve in the past, it tends to harden up as it cools. It’s still delicious, of course, so if you can’t get your hands on Bocha Sweet, use just the powdered Swerve.
Be careful on the addition of coconut, as many brands of shredded coconut are sweetened and basically a big old high carb bomb. But Bob’s Red Mill also produces both flaked and shredded coconut that is entirely unsweetened and I always have both on hand. For this recipe, I used the flaked because I liked the chunkier texture in the frosting.
Pre-chopped pecans can help simplify the process. I love the ones from Trader Joe’s because they are tiny pieces and they are lightly toasted, which brings out additional flavor.
If your frosting is too thin to spread, it means you didn’t quite cook it long enough. There’s an easy fix here, though. Whisk in just a tiny bit of coconut flour (no more than a teaspoon) and you should get the right consistency.
And there you go. Now you have a delicious Mini German Chocolate Cake that’s easy to make and keto-friendly. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day dessert!
More Keto German Chocolate Recipes
Keto German Chocolate Brownies
Keto German Chocolate Truffles
This mini German Chocolate Cake Recipe is sure to please. Delicious keto chocolate cake with sugar-free German Chocolate Frosting, in just the right size for sharing. Built-in portion control!
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 2 tbsp Swerve Sweetener
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch salt
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tbsp powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 1 tbsp Bocha Sweet (or an additional tbsp powdered Swerve)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup flaked coconut
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
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Preheat the oven to 325F. Grease three 4-inch ramekins or mini cake pans well. In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, sweetener, baking powder, and salt.
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Whisk in the butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Divide between the prepared baking dishes and bake 10 to 15 minute or until set and firm to the touch.
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Let cool in pans, then run a sharp knife around the inside of the ramekins and flip out. If your cake layers have humps, slice the tops off to make them flat and even.
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In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream, egg yolk, sweetener, and butter. Cook until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes, watching carefully the whole time.
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Remove from heat and stir in coconut, pecans, and vanilla. Let cool a few minutes as it will continue to thicken up (if it's too thin, whisk in a teaspoon of coconut flour to help thicken it).
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Place one layer of cake on a plate and top with about 1/3 of the frosting. Repeat with the remaining layers and frosting.
Gail Holcomb says
Looks yummy! Question about the number of servings. The recipe states “serves 4” but there are only 3 ramekins being baked. Is 1/3 of the recipe a serving, or do the cake layers have to be cut to make sure there are 4 servings.
Thank you!
Carolyn says
There are three layers but you don’t take them apart. You simply slice the cake as you would a bigger one.
Darlene Vasquez says
I’d love to make a regular size cake. Do you know what the measurements of ingredients would be for an 8 inch version? Thank you.
Carolyn says
Hi Darlene. That would be easy, just search my blog for any of my chocolate cakes. Then use the frosting from my German Chocolate Brownies.
Sherry C. says
The bocaSweet is not used in the frosting recipe from the brownie recipe. How can I adjust to add that to the brownie frosting recipe. I think the BocaSweet makes it so much better!
Carolyn says
Just do half Swerve and half Bocha Sweet. Same principal as the small one but on a larger scale.
Robyn Jones says
I have found that Bocha sweet comes in regular and powdered. Which version do you recommend for this recipe?
Carolyn says
I will specify powdered if I want you to use that so in this case, granular. Although truly, either would work.
Jennifer Rice says
I tried searching your blog for chocolate cake and surprisingly came up empty for a full keto cake recipe. I found chocolate cheese cakes, mini chocolate cake, mini peanut butter cake, chocolate zucchini cake, several lava cakes, and the sugar high cake which is NOT keto. Any chance you can link one for us?
Carolyn says
https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/chocolate-layer-cake-with-chocolate-sour-cream-frosting-low-carb-and-gluten-free/
Sandy P. says
Carolyn,
Could this be made in a 9×13 rectangular pan? I think it would be easier to take along to a family gathering.
Sandy
Carolyn says
This tiny cake would need to be scaled up by 3 or 4 times or so to fit in a 9×13 pan.
Michele says
Carolyn,
I hope you can help me. I’ve loved all your recipes and I’m grateful for you sharing your knowledge. I have a problem. I have a food intolerance to almond *and* coconut flour. I’ve used pork rinds for a substitute for bread crumbs but I’ve been unsuccessful with using them for any flour. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks for all you do for all of us.
Mickey DeFalco
Carolyn says
YES! Use sunflower seed flour. It’s a perfect replacement for almond flour. If you are super allergic, make sure you get the kind that’s certified nut-free (i.e. not processed in a facility that also processes nuts). GERBS is a good brand, they are totally nut free, I get mine on Amazon. https://amzn.to/2FVR4by
Kathy Hoalt says
I am so glad I just read this, I have a grandson with Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Abil cannot eat dairy, corn (and the byproducts), berries, nuts, peanuts or coconuts. His mother is thinking he is becoming sensitive to gluten now. I make a lot of his bread and cookies. Abil loves sunflower butter sandwiches and so now I will try the sunflower seed flour.
Carolyn says
Hope it helps. It’s a great sub for almond flour and is 1:1 in replacement.
Linda T says
This is dangerous… so easy to make and so delicious! Perfect size for my family of three and will definitely be a go to recipe for us 🙂
Nadine Erdmann says
No idea why on earth this is called German chocolate cake as this kind of cake is virtually unknown in Germany and especially pecans have no tradition here… (normally chocolate cake is not layered at all, just covered with chocolate or simply with icing sugar)
Looks really delicious though! 🙂
I hope I can give it a try, soon.
Carolyn says
It’s not German as in the country. It’s German as in the last name of the man who first created it. 🙂
Jean B. says
“It” being the chocolate not the cake. The cake came along more than 100 years after Samuel German developed the chocolate that bears his name.
(Sorry. Once an editor, always an editor.)
Erica B says
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_chocolate_cake
It was originally called “German’s chocolate cake.”
🙂
Karen says
SOOOO cute. Almost doesn’t matter what it tastes like! Almost. Making this weekend as an early Valentine’s Day gift to myself !!! =))
kathy ladewig says
I made the German Chocolate recipe today, I did not have ramekins so I doubled the recipe and made cupcakes, made six cupcakes doubling the recipe. The frosting calls for adding vanilla, did not see this on the ingredient list for the frosting, I added almost a teaspoon. The cupcakes and frosting were delish, my hubby ate 3 and he said they were very good, usually won’t eat my keto baked goods.
Lynn Carpenter says
Cake looks delicious. Really wanting to try it. In reading recipe directions for frosting call for adding vanilla after removing from heat. None is listed in ingredients for frosting. Also egg yolk is plural yet only one is listed in ingredients. Can you clairify please? Thanks bunches.
Carolyn says
It’s just one egg yolks and 1/4 tsp vanilla. I’ve fixed the recipe.
Barbara says
The recipe I have been dreaming of! Thank you, Carolyn!
LIRAZ says
HI CAROLYN!
IF I WANT TO MAKE A BIG CAKE IN A 8 UNCH PAN MAY I NEED TO TRIPELE THE CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE,?
AND IF I DO IT OLSO CAN HOLD WELL WITOUT PROTEIN POWDWE AS THE MINI CAKE?
THANKS FOR THE RECIPE.
Carolyn says
Please look at my other chocolate cake recipes and use one of those. Then look at my German Chocolate Brownies and use that frosting.
Julie Blanner says
I love german chocolate, and I love that its low carb.
Anna says
A whole cake just for me! Love it!
Rachael Yerkes says
Yes please! I’ll take 2!
Jamie says
I’ve been craving a sweet treat! I can’t wait to make this!
Tara says
I love German Chocolate cake, and these are to die for!
Herbalchef says
I made this cake for my sweetie last night…it is absolutely scrumptious!
Patti A says
Hi! I made this for our Anniversary on Sunday with your keto pecan ice cream! We loved it! Gave the hubs 1/2 and I took one quarter, he had the last piece at lunch the next day. Another great recipe, thanks!
Carolyn says
Happy Anniversary!
Cindy Bellotte says
I have a question. I want to make a cookie recipe I have Keto friendly. It calls for 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour. How much almond and coconut flour would replace the all-purpose flour? Thank you and I can’t wait to try your mini German Chocolate Cake.
Carolyn says
Without knowing all of the other ingredients and proportions I can’t guide you. It’s so dependent on other ingredients and what the final outcome is supposed to be like. Cakey? Crisp? I think you can see my point.
gjeanieg says
Morning, Carolyn, I would like to make this for Valentine’s Day. 🙂 I have Allulose but no Bocha sweet. Will that work as a substitution for the frosting here? Thank you so much!
Carolyn says
Yes, that should work.
Margie says
Is there any other sub for BochaSweet? Don’t have any and hate to buy another sweetener if I can use something else (I’ve already got Swerve, Xylitol, liquid Stevia, and straight erythritol in the Keto pantry). Thx!
Carolyn says
Xylitol is your best bet here.
Margie says
Thank you!! So excited to try!
Patricia says
Just made it today and it taste great. Since my rankings were larger than 4oz, I doubled the flour and egg. Turned out great.
Marla says
Have wanted to make this ever since you posted it. Finally did so today in honor of Memorial Day. I added 1/4 tsp espresso powder to the chocolate mix to intensify the chocolate flavor and I added 1/4 tsp. Maple flavoring/extract to the frosting because it needed a bit more something to me. Next time I will toast the pecans!
Susan Stephenson says
I’m making this cake for my Keto mentor, whose success launched my own journey. She is unable to tolerate Swerve, she discovered to her dismay. I have monkfruit sweetener on hand. Would that suffice? Or I can get the Bocha Sweet if it can be used exclusively in both cake and frosting. I really want this to work, as she has said that German chocolate was the birthday cake her mother always made for her. I appreciate any direction you can give.
Carolyn says
Her issues with Swerve likely extend to “monk fruit sweetener” as well. If she has issues with erythritol, she will feel it with Lakanto too. Bocha Sweet can be used for both cake and frosting.
Stephenson Susan says
The Bocha Sweet worked perfectly and my friend was grateful to have the cake of her childhood—legally!
Carolyn says
hooray!
Susan Roberts says
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks so much for the German Chocolate recipes. They are very good!
I cooked the frosting recipe only (as a test recipe for a larger cake) and I think I cooked it too long as it became very thick and dry and the butter began to separate out. The flavor, color and texture were spot on, just too dry.
So I was going to cook a larger batch when I read to use your G.C. Brownie icing instead. I went to that recipe for the larger batch.
It’s funny, but I tried a G.C. frosting recipe from another website and it was too thin and looked and tasted like it was that awful canned stuff for people who can’t make it from scratch. Your recipe tastes like the old one I used to make years ago from scratch, which was what I was looking for.
Thanks so very much!
Michelle Petty says
I need to frost two 8inch rounds. How many times should I multiply the frosting recipe??
Carolyn says
Please search for my German Chocolate Brownies, which have the right amount of frosting for two 8 inch rounds.
Tammy says
I can’t wait to make this. I’m new to keto and trying to learn the ins and outs of using these new ingredients. Why do you recommend doing half swerve and half BochaSweet? I’ve seen other recipes using the 2 together. BochaSweet is my preferred sweetener and I prefer to use it in place of the Swerve. Thanks
Carolyn says
Swerve tends to make things hard, and Bocha Sweet tends to make things too soft. Together, they work perfectly!
Kev says
Hi! Could i replace swerve with monk fruit or stevia? If so, is there a change in the ratios?
Thank you!
Carolyn says
What kind of monk fruit? There are many kinds of monk fruit sweeteners, most of which are blended with erythritol.
Patty says
I made this for my birthday cake since I’m the only coconut lover in the house. It was excellent! I rationed it so that I was able to have it 4 times. Slightly heated in the microwave to give the coconut a melty warm texture along with a cup of coffee is pure heaven! I followed the recipe exactly with no changes and it turned out perfectly.
Gwen says
I had been looking for a German Chocolate keto recipe cake and this is as close as I could have found. This recipe is so good I have made this cake twice and making it now for the holiday. So good thank you!
Carolyn says
Yay, glad you like it!
MEG Calabrese says
Thanks so much for this recipe!! I just finished making it. I put 1 candle on it for my birthday today. Life in the time of Covid-19.
Cathy says
How donyou get 3 4″ cakes from the printed recioe? I just made a single-layer 5″ cake. Are you supposed to double or triple the recipe?
Carolyn says
I made the cake layers from the recipe as stated. You simply split it between the 3 cake tins. It works if you split it up properly.
Peggy says
I don’t have bocha sweet but I do have granulated stevia or Splenda can I use one of these instead
Carolyn says
They won’t help make the topping more gooey so just stick with Swerve.