National German Chocolate Cake Day celebrates a beloved American dessert featuring rich chocolate layers with coconut-pecan frosting. Despite its name, this cake has no connection to Germany but was named after Samuel German, an English-American chocolate maker.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: June 11 annually
- Tagged as: Food Holiday, Dessert Day
- What’s the hashtag?: #GermanChocolateCakeDay
- When was it founded?: Not officially recorded
- Who founded it?: Unknown
History
The cake’s story begins in 1852 when Samuel German created a sweet dark baking chocolate for Baker’s Chocolate Company. The cake itself emerged in 1957 when Mrs. George Clay, a Texas homemaker, published her recipe in The Dallas Morning News. The recipe’s popularity led to a 73% increase in Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate sales within a year.
Timeline
1852: Samuel German creates German’s Sweet Chocolate
1957: First recipe published in Dallas Morning News
1960s: Recipe gains nationwide popularity
1985: Baker’s Chocolate clarifies naming origin
2010s: Holiday gains widespread recognition
2025 Upcoming Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 11 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | June 11 | Thursday |
| 2027 | June 11 | Friday |
Observed
The day is celebrated by baking and enjoying German chocolate cake, sharing recipes, and hosting cake-tasting events.
Fun Facts About German Chocolate Cake
- The original name was “German’s Chocolate Cake”
- It’s a purely American invention
- The traditional frosting contains pecans and coconut
- The cake caused a 73% sales increase in Baker’s Chocolate
- Hawaii has its own version called Chantilly cake
Quiz
- Where was German chocolate cake invented?
- Who was Samuel German?
- In what year was the first recipe published?
(Answers: 1. United States 2. English-American chocolate maker 3. 1957)
FAQs
Q: Is it German?
A: No, it’s American
Q: Why is it called German?
A: Named after Samuel German
Q: What makes it different from regular chocolate cake?
A: Its distinctive coconut-pecan frosting
Importance of German Chocolate Cake Day
This celebration highlights American culinary innovation and preserves the legacy of a beloved dessert that has become a national favorite.
Related
- Black Forest Cake
- Devil’s Food Cake
- Chocolate Layer Cake
- National Cake Day
- National Chocolate Day