German Chocolate Upside Down Cake With Cream Cheese Layer

This German Chocolate Upside Down Cake Recipe is a really delicious twist on the classic German Chocolate Cake but with a luscious creamy cream cheese layer, chocolate ganache frosting layer and a crunchy, nutty crust on the bottom. This recipe comes from my Aunt Cathie, who was so generous to share. The fun thing about this recipe are all the layers! Surprise your guests with the hidden cream cheese layer in the rich cake batter. They’ll gobble it up!

Ingredients in German Chocolate Upside Down Cake

Sweetened Coconut Flakes – make sure it is the sweetened coconut, I accidentally used unsweetened once and it totally threw off the flavor. Pecans – chopped. I buy a large bag of pecans from Costco and keep it in the freezer so I always have fresh nuts to chop up and stir into various recipes. German Chocolate Cake Mix – you will also need large eggs, oil, and water listed on the back of the box. Whisk the cake batter according to box directions before using in this recipe. German Chocolate Cake mix includes basic cake ingredients like flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt. Cream Cheese – let the cream cheese rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing for the smoothest results. Unsalted Butter – same as with the cream cheese, use softened butter for best results. Powdered Sugar Vanilla – one teaspoon vanilla extract gives the frosting a rich, sweet taste that pairs perfectly with chocolate. Chocolate Chips – you can use semi sweet chocolate chips, milk, or dark. Or melt chocolate like chopped up sweet baking chocolate, baker’s German chocolate, regular bakers chocolate or German sweet chocolate.

Layering Techniques

It is so easy to make and all you need is a mixing bowl and electric mixer or a large bowl and a stand mixer to help get you started. Avoid using parchment paper in your pan. Just grease your baking dish well with cooking spray. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl as you’re mixing so all of the ingredients become incorporated evenly.

Use a 9×13 pan, add the cream cheese layer on top before baking and then the chocolate cake layer bakes up and over it. Surprise your guests with the hidden creamy German chocolate frosting layer under the cake!

Take Help from the Store

For this recipe, I like to use a boxed German chocolate cake. You can make a homemade German chocolate cake layer if you like, and we have a delicious homemade cake recipe you can use. However, when I’m in a hurry, semi-homemade is always a great choice. With the extra cream cheese frosting, chocolate chips and the delicious toppings, this cake has so many yummy layers and textures you’ll never even know you used a boxed cake mix.

For Perfectly Smooth Cream Cheese Layer

The best tip for a creamy and smooth cream cheese layer, make sure your cream cheese and butter is at ROOM TEMPERATURE before mixing with powdered sugar and vanilla. You can also whip the cream cheese and butter for about two to three minutes until it’s light and fluffy or until stiff peaks form. Then add the powdered sugar slowly while mixing.

How to Serve this Upside Down Cake

After removing from the oven, let the pan cool on a wire rack, but don’t invert the cake. This one is best served right out of the baking pan. You can serve it warm with some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Cover leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. I love eating it chilled straight from the fridge, but you can also let it come to room temperature to serve also. READ NEXT: 33+ Easy Dessert Ideas