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Slice of German Chocolate upside down cake on a plate with coconut flakes and pecan pieces on top.
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5 from 6 votes

German Chocolate Upside Down Cake

This German Chocolate Upside Down Cake is a rich, gooey twist on the classic cake—loaded with coconut, pecans, chocolate, and a surprise cream cheese layer that sinks into the middle as it bakes. It’s part dessert, part magic trick, and a guaranteed showstopper!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: german chocolate cream cake
Servings: 15 slices
Calories: 459kcal
Author: Kelsey Crist

Ingredients

Base Layer

  • 1 cups sweetened coconut flakes
  • 3/4 cups pecans chopped

Cake Mix Layer (check box label for exact ingredients)

  • 15.25 ounces German chocolate cake mix prepared according to box directions
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup canola oil

Cream Cheese Layer

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cups butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle coconut flakes and pecans over bottom of pan.
    Baking dish with chopped pecans and coconut flakes in the bottom.
  • Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Pour the cake batter evenly over the coconut and pecans.
    Pouring German chocolate cake mix into baking dish with pecans and coconut flakes.
  • Mix cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and chocolate chips. Drop the cream cheese mixture using a cookie scoop or large spoon onto the batter. Make sure the scoops are spaced out evenly over the batter.
    Cream cheese chocolate chip scoop into German chocolate cake batter.
  • Bake for 45-55 minutes. The cake should pass the toothpick test - a toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the middle of only the cake layer. It is okay if some cream cheese mixture comes out on the toothpick.
    Baked German Chocolate upside down cake.
  • Optional: Top with additional coconut flakes and pecan pieces, or powdered sugar.
    Slice of German Chocolate upside down cake on a plate with coconut flakes and pecan pieces on top.

Notes

  • Avoid using parchment paper on the bottom for this cake. Just grease the pan well. 
  • Let the butter and cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing for the smoothest results.
  • Cover leftover cake with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 459kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 431mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 275IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 2mg