Individual German Chocolate Cakes

Many classic desserts appear repeatedly in cookbooks and on dessert menus, but no two are made exactly alike. A dessert like German Chocolate Cake should have all the elements of the traditional recipe—chocolate, coconut, pecans, and a brown sugar topping—and should not stray too far from the original intent. Even when following this rule, another pastry chef’s rendition of this favorite will not be the same as mine: it depends on the proportions of the ingredients. Too thick a layer of cho