This German Chocolate Cheesecake is so delicious! It’s a gooey, rich and wonderful chocolate cheesecake with a chocolate crust and a coconut pecan topping!
German Chocolate Cheesecake
So this past weekend, it felt like a doggy daycare around these parts. Jessie had a lot of friends to play with! And both were last minute too – what are the odds?
On Friday, our neighbors didn’t get their dog to boarding in time, and it was only one night, so we kept her for them. She’s a little miniature pinscher with diabetes. I made the hubs do the shots. Too scary for me.
She went home Saturday morning and then some friends brought over their pomeranian. They had a weekend away planned to celebrate his birthday and because of a mix up with their boarding, they weren’t able to leave the dog for the night like they’d planned.
I couldn’t let his birthday weekend get ruined, so we volunteered. Jessie had a blast.
Both dogs were pretty chill, but we had Raleigh, the pomeranian, for a little bit longer. He loves tennis balls. A lot. So Jessie had fun running after balls with him. And despite being smaller, he still went for it.
Whenever we take care of another dog like that, who’s so much smaller than Jessie, I always think we must look so funny when we go on our walks. Me, a 90 lb black lab and a 15 lb pomeranian (aka big fluff ball 🙂 ).
Now Jessie’s back to being an only child. I think she likes having all of our attention to herself, but also likes company, so if she could talk she’d probably tell me she has mixed feels about that.
One thing’s for sure though, there’s no mixed feelings on the subject of this cheesecake. It is the jam.
I didn’t even realize how much I loved German Chocolate Cake (and it’s variations) until I made these German Chocolate Cookie Stacks. So darn good. I LOVE the coconut pecan filling. I could eat that straight up. It reminds me so much of the coconut-y goodness of a samoa.
So it was only inevitable that a cheesecake was coming.
I love cheesecake. Let’s be honest, I love all dessert, but cheesecake has been a fave since I was a kid and I love making them. They seem intimidating, but they really are easy to make. They just take a little time. And there are so many ways you can mix up the flavors too.
If you’ve made any of my other cheesecakes, this one shouldn’t be too unfamiliar. A similar process, but with melted german chocolate for the filling. I recommend making the coconut pecan topping first, then after that cools for a bit, make the crust and work on the cheesecake filling.
I added a little topping to the inside of the cheesecake too. You could totally add more to inside, or just put it all on top. You’re call. Either way, it’s terrific and a must make for german chocolate cake and coconut/chocolate lovers. YUM!
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German Chocolate Cheesecake
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 Servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This German Chocolate Cheesecake is so delicious! It’s a gooey, rich and wonderful chocolate cheesecake with a chocolate crust and a coconut pecan topping!
Ingredients
COCONUT PECAN TOPPING
- 4 egg yolks
- 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup butter, cubed
- 2 2/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
CRUST
- 2 cups Oreo crumbs (leave filling in Oreos)
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
CHEESECAKE FILLING
- 24 ounces packages of cream cheese, room temperature (three 8 oz packages)
- 1 cup sugar
- 8 oz german chocolate, melted
- 1 tbsp flour
- 3 tbsp cocoa
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
COCONUT PECAN TOPPING
CRUST
CHEESECAKE FILLING
Keywords: german chocolate cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake recipe, chocolate swirl cheesecake, homemade cheesecake, homemade cheesecake recipe, german chocolate cake recipe, best german chocolate cake recipe, best cheesecake recipe, homemade german chocolate cake
Enjoy!
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Do you have a special recipe for the chocolate sauce to drizzle over cake?
I just used a store bought sauce.
I have made the cheesecake and I think it is beautiful. I’m very nervous about it. It will be served tonight. Just praying it gets rave reviews. I know I am thrilled about the looks of it. Thank you soooooo much.
★★★★★
I hope it was well received!
I was reading a comment below. The writer stated they used a little less sugar in the condensed milk/coconut/…. It says evaporated milk in the recipe. She wasn’t corrected in the reply, so, now, I am wondering, is it condensed milk or evaporated milk like it says. Condensed milk is sweet and evaporated is not. Please reply if you can, as I plan to make this for a retirement party, on October 7, 2021.
★★★★★
I would recommend following the recipe as written and using evaporated milk.
This is the best cheesecake recipe I have ever made in my entire life!
I used a little less sugar in the condensed milk/ coconut/ butter mixture, like 1 cup instead of 11/2 …. And I also made ganache topping instead of putting the remaining coconut mixture on top. I then toasted some coconut and put that on top of the ganache …. It was divine !
So glad to hear that!
★★★★★
I am in the process of making this cheesecake but I don’t see what size springform pan to use.
9 inch
Water got inside the foil, do you think it is ruined? I took the springform off, and am chilling it before I check to see. Any tips?
How many oreo cookies do you need for 2 cups?Are there any pictures of this cheesecake without the chocolate sauce on top?
About 24 Oreos. And no, these are the only photos.
Good recipe, amazing cheesecake. Wish you would have put in a tidbit about using parchment paper do the crust doesn’t stick to the pan though
★★★★
Stunningly beautiful cake, Lindsay! Want to try it but confused about the chocolate. Recipe says German chocolate, but in a response to an earlier question about whether to use Baker’s sweetened or unsweetened, you stated unsweetened. The only German’s baking bar I’m aware of is sweet. If you would, please clarify. Also, would it be possible to make the coconut pecan topping and/or the crust a day ahead of time to stagger the workload? And one final question—how exactly do you spread the topping over the batter in step 5? Considering the thickness of the topping, that sounds rather daunting. I would imagine it would just get mixed up in the cheesecake batter. Any tips on that? Thanks so much!
I didn’t look back at that other comment, so I’m not sure about it, but this is the chocolate I used. And yes, making the filling a day ahead should be just fine. As for step 5, you can drop spoonfuls of the mixture over the filling and gently spread it around. I hope that helps!
Hey! I enjoyed a lot of your recipes! With this cheesecake can it be frozen?
★★★★★
Glad to hear it! It should freeze just fine.
Hello! I am planning to make this dessert for my dads birthday this Saturday, but he does not like things that are overly sweet or rich. Do you have any suggestions of things I could substitute or cut out in order to make it less rich? Thanks!
Not really, I’m sorry. It’s going to be best to make it as written – and maybe have smaller pieces?
I made this for my husband’s birthday cake early in case we get quarantined. Too rich for my waistline but those who ate it were doing some serious moaning and groaning. SCORE! MY FIRST in a springform pan. Very very yummy. I will check out more of your recipes. Thank you for a wonderful idea!!
Cindy
★★★★★
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Hi what can i use instead of german chocolate ?can you tell me in percentage
Thanks
You could just make a regular chocolate filling, like for this cheesecake, and then add the coconut and pecan topping to it. https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/chocolate-lovers-cheesecake/
This cheesecake recipe looks incredible! I haven’t made it yet, but it gets 5 stars because every recipe you’ve posted that I’ve tried to make myself have been amazing. No doubt this will be any different! I am going to make this for a holiday dinner next week. I need to leave the pecans out of the filling though. Would I just need to replace with an equal amount of additional coconut?
★★★★★
I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed everything! Yes, you could try adding more coconut. I might add a little less than double and then add more if it seems like it needs it.
Thanks again! I used slightly less than double the coconut. It was perfect. I just popped the cake out of the pan and can’t wait to cut into it later tonight. I may have reverted to my childhood years and used my finger to scrape the excess off the sides of the pan. Too bad 5 stars is the highest rating. Should get at least 10 🙂
★★★★★
LOL! I’m so glad you’re happy with it!
Hi Lindsay!
Just wondering..sweetened or unsweetened Baker’s Chocolate for this recipe?
I’ve tried many of your recipes, I live them all!
I’m so glad you enjoy the recipes! You’ll want to use unsweetened chocolate.
Hello! Would it be possible to make this recipe with a storebought oreo crust? Should I halve the recipe? How long should I bake it for? Thanks!
Yes, you can but I haven’t ever used that before so it’s hard for me to advise. Cutting it in half might not be quite enough better. And I’m sorry but I’m really not sure of the baking time at that size.
This was my first ever cheesecake and it was simply easy to make and even easier to eat 😆
However what I noticed is because it is so rich and chocolatey smaller slices were handed out
I loved this recipe but I’m looking to make something with key lime or white chocolate raspberry for my moms birthday in less than a week , do you have any suggestions (I’ve noticed that she loves pleasant looking ones such as the German chocolate cheesecake recipe) if you could answer that would be deeply appreciated as it’s a special birthday and she’s turning 40!😌
★★★★★
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! A few options for you – No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake, this Lemon Cheesecake that you could use key lime juice in instead of lemon and this Raspberry Goat Cheese Cheesecake, which is totally amazing if you like goat cheese. I don’t have a White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake at the moment, but hopefully will soon. Thanks!
Hi. I am making this for my husband for his birthday. This is my very first time baking a cheesecake and I am wondering when do I release it from the spring form pan? Before putting it in the fridge to chill or after? Thanks so much.
Remove the springform pan from the cheesecake once the cheesecake is completely cool. I hope you enjoy!
Hi Lindsay,
I’m excited about making this cheesecake to take to a group dinner party. I have a question and wanted to ask it before I made it. When reading the reviews one asked about adding the coconut pecan topping on top of the little bit of cheesecake filling that is added on top of the baked crust. Your answer was the coconut pecan topping is only added to the cheesecake after it’s baked. Could you please let me know if the recipe is correct in your directions when you are to add about 1 1/2 cups of the coconut pecan topping to the cheesecake before adding the cheesecake filling or is it only for the top of the finished cheesecake?
Thank you.
It’s both. 🙂 After putting a little bit of the cheesecake filling in the bottom of the crust (in step 5 of the cheesecake filling), you would then add about 1 1/2 cups of coconut pecan topping and spread evenly. You should have some remaining coconut pecan topping. After the cheesecake is baked and cooled, top the cheesecake with remaining coconut pecan topping. I hope that helps!
Thanks so much, Lindsay. I made the cheesecake yesterday. I just wanted to comment and see if anyone else had the same issue as I did when I added the melted German chocolate as stated in #2 with the cream cheese, flour, etc. I used my stand-up mixer so I could use the slow setting and stopped and scraped sides down and noticed that some of the chocolate had hardened on the sides of the bowl and even with a metal spoon couldn’t be scraped off. I’ve made many cheesecakes over the years and was surprised to see how the chocolate hardened. After assembling the cheesecake and started the cleanup, I had to taste the batter and all I can say is YUM!! Like you stated, the filling came up high and after the baking times and cooling, etc. it looks beautiful! I’m looking forward to put the finishing touches (coconut pecan topping) on today before taking it to the dinner party. It does take awhile to make but I’m sure it will be well worth the time. Thank you, again, for replying to my many questions. I look forward to making many more of your beautifully photographed recipes!!
Susan
I’m glad you enjoyed it! As for the little bits of hardened chocolate, it’s a temperature thing. If the melted chocolate hit the sides of the bowl (and it was likely a cool bowl), then that could make it harden a bit. Also, once it’s melted, it’s best to let it cool down just a bit before adding to a cooler batter for the same reason. I hope that helps!
Can you create an Instant pot recipe for the German Choc Cheesecake for a 7″ Pan…Please!
Very good. I’m making it for a dessert for Thanksgiving.
★★★★★
This looks delicious! I’m hoping to make it for a big dinner I’m planning and want to make it at least a week ahead of time. Is it possible to make ahead and then freeze it? What steps should I do before freezing and which steps should I do just before I serve it? Thanks so much 🙂
I haven’t really tried freezing my cheesecakes, but if you were going to freeze this, I’d do it without the topping and add that before serving.
I accidentally put 32oz of cream cheese in this, do I need to make adjustments
★★★★★
I don’t believe the recipe calls for any cream cheese, so where did you add it?
What? Are you replying to a different recipe comment?
No, sorry. I also have a German Chocolate Cake recipe and thought this comment was on that – which doesn’t have cream cheese. Thanks for bringing my attention to that!
This recipe is so fabulous but extremely rich! I used 4 blocks of cream cheese and upped everything else by 1/3; however, the next time I’ll consider cutting this entire recipe in half…then swirling it into vanilla cheesecake but using the topping and crust.
Nobody could get thru an entire slice without feeling like they were going into diabetic shock but loved it!
★★★★
Hi Sherri, I clearly mis-read your comment in my last response. I also have a German Chocolate Cake recipe and missed that your comment was on the cheesecake. Sorry about that! You added 1/3 more cream cheese to the recipe, so you could also increase the other ingredients by 1/3, or just try baking it with the extra cream cheese and see how it turns out.