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    Food » German Chocolate Cake Trifle

    German Chocolate Cake Trifle

    Posted: 02/20/2017 | Last updated: 12/01/2021 by Erin 11 Comments
    Post may contain affiliate links via Amazon Associates or other programs. (Disclosure)

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    German Chocolate Cake Trifle - one of my favorite semi-homemade desserts using a cake mix combined with scratch made German chocolate mousse and coconut pecan filling.

    If I really sit down and think about it, trifles are my favorite dessert.

    German Chocolate Cake Trifle - one of my favorite semi-homemade desserts using a cake mix combined with scratch made German chocolate mousse and coconut pecan filling.

    They can be as quick and easy or as "made from scratch" as you want.  And there are so many different ways you can make them.  I love coming up with new combinations.

    German Chocolate Cake Trifle - one of my favorite semi-homemade desserts using a cake mix combined with scratch made German chocolate mousse and coconut pecan filling.

    I came up with this recipe when I was craving a German chocolate  cake but didn't want to go through the hassle of assembling and decorating a layer cake.  I also wasn't in the mood for a heavy frosting.  The chocolate mousse layer in this trifle takes the place of a frosting but doesn't sit so heavily in your stomach.

    German Chocolate Cake Trifle - one of my favorite semi-homemade desserts using a cake mix combined with scratch made German chocolate mousse and coconut pecan filling.

    I started with a cake mix since I think that box cakes work just as well in trifles as scratch made.  I did, however, make my own mousse and coconut pecan filling.  Because the mousse requires several hours to properly set up, I recommend making the mousse and coconut pecan filling the day before you plan to assemble the trifle.  This dessert keeps beautifully in the refrigerator, so you can make the whole thing a day or two in advance of when you plan to serve it.  It feeds a crowd and everyone will love it!

    German Chocolate Cake Trifle - one of my favorite semi-homemade desserts using a cake mix combined with scratch made German chocolate mousse and coconut pecan filling.

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    German Chocolate Cake Trifle - one of my favorite semi-homemade desserts using a cake mix combined with scratch made German chocolate mousse and coconut pecan filling.

    German Chocolate Cake Trifle


    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Erin Browne
    • Total Time: 4 hours 15 mins
    • Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 German chocolate cake mix, prepared in 9x13 pan according to directions (cake only)
    • German Chocolate Mousse:
    • 1 ⅓ cups milk
    • 2 tsp unflavored gelatin
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 8 ounces Bakers German Chocolate, roughly chopped
    • 4 cups Cool Whip, thawed
    • Coconut Pecan Filling:
    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 1 cup evaporated milk
    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • 3 egg yolks
    • 1 ⅓ cups sweetened shredded coconut
    • 1 cup chopped pecans
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions

    1. German Chocolate Mousse:
    2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the milk, gelatin, and vanilla extract. Let stand for 3 minutes, then cook on medium-high heat until bubbles begin to form around the edge (~180F). Do not allow mixture to boil.
    3. Remove from heat, add the chocolate, and cover for 5 minutes. Then use a whisk to combine chocolate until the mixture is smooth.
    4. Pour mixture into a large bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the Cool Whip until fully combined. Do not whisk or beat. The chocolate mixture will still be quite thin so it may seem like it won't come together, but keep working at it gently until it's all one color.
    5. Cover the mixture and chill for 3 hours until fully set.
    6. Coconut Pecan Filling:
    7. In a saucepan combine 1 cup sugar, evaporated milk, ½ cup butter, and 3 egg yolks.
    8. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens.
    9. Remove from heat and stir in the coconut, pecans and vanilla extract.
    10. Cool until thick enough to spread or refrigerate until ready to assemble the trifle.
    11. Assemble the Trifle:
    12. In a large glass trifle bowl, cover the bottom with chunks of the prepared cake. Layer with half of the chocolate mousse, and then spread with half of the coconut pecan filling.
    13. Repeat the layers again so that you end with the coconut pecan filling on top. You will likely only use about ⅔ of the prepared cake. You can wrap and freeze the rest, or just keep it around for snacking!
    14. Decorate with halved pecans, if desired. Keep refrigerated and serve cold.
    • Prep Time: 4 hours
    • Cook Time: 15 mins

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    German Chocolate Cake Trifle - one of my favorite semi-homemade desserts using a cake mix combined with scratch made German chocolate mousse and coconut pecan filling.

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    About Erin

    Erin is a mom of two human babies and two fur-covered babies. She loves comfy clothes, eats too much peanut butter, and watches excessive amounts of Netflix. Make her day and toss her a like on Facebook or follow her on Instagram. Post may contain affiliate links including those via the Amazon Associates program

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angie

      June 26, 2021 at 11:19 am

      I had leftover cake in the freezer and this worked GREAT for a quick group dessert! I used dark chocolate in place of the German Chocolate and drizzled chocolate ganache on top of the pecan filling (each layer). Since I prefer to stick to "whole" foods, I whipped up 2 cups of whipping cream + 4 Tbsps. Powder Sugar in place of the cool whip....worked perfect! I will definitely be making this again! It was Super easy, Super yummy and a Super Hit!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Erin

        June 26, 2021 at 11:25 am

        That sounds so good! Thanks for sharing! I also don't love the ingredients in Cool Whip but I do love the convenience... I've recently discovered TruWhip and have been using it instead. I love it, and it helps bridge the gap between being too lazy/tired to make my own whipped cream and not wanting to use Cool Whip, haha!

        Reply
    2. Marilyn Neely

      February 05, 2019 at 3:02 pm

      I will have to agree on the 2 bars of chocolate even though it does say 8 ounces. I missed that and had to go back to the store. I realize my fault for not reading it throughly always in a hurry.

      Reply
    3. Arielle

      November 26, 2017 at 11:06 am

      Where do i find Bakers German Chocolate?

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Erin

        November 26, 2017 at 3:51 pm

        I find it in the baking aisle of my normal grocery store - you shouldn't need to go anywhere specialized to get it.

        Reply
    4. Wanda

      July 07, 2017 at 3:59 pm

      When you say baker's German chocolate you should say 2 bars. It would be helpful

      Reply
      • Erin

        July 07, 2017 at 4:04 pm

        Thanks for commenting and for the tip! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Karly

      February 21, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      My hubs is just about the biggest German Chocolate fan I know, and if this doesn't scream his name I don't know what does. Totally saving this one- looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Erin

        February 21, 2017 at 4:07 pm

        Ooh, definitely sounds like he'll devour this! You'll have to come back and let me know what he thinks if you try it out! Thanks for visiting!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Erin! I love food and I bet you do, too! I cook for my family and share the recipes that we love. We also like to camp, so there will be a fair bit about that around here, too.

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