White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center Recipe

The Perfect White German Chocolate Cake with a Cheesecake Center Recipe

A dreamy white German chocolate cake that surprises you with its unexpected cheesecake center.

Layers of soft, cloud-like vanilla sponge embrace a luscious cream cheese filling that melts in your mouth.

Rich chocolate chips dance through the batter, creating delightful pockets of sweetness.

Delicate coconut flakes add a subtle crunch that perfectly complements the smooth cheesecake core.

Presenting this showstopping dessert at your next gathering, watching eyes light up with anticipation.

The contrast between light cake and creamy center makes every slice an adventure.

You’ll want to savor each magical bite of this decadent masterpiece.

Why White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center Is A Showstopper

  • Craft a Luxurious Dessert Centerpiece: This white German chocolate cake with a cheesecake center transforms an ordinary cake into an extraordinary culinary experience that wows guests and satisfies sophisticated dessert cravings.
  • Enjoy Texture-Perfect Layering: The smooth, creamy cheesecake center provides a rich, velvety contrast to the traditional cake layers, creating a delightful sensory adventure with each bite that combines different consistencies.
  • Master an Impressive Make-Ahead Treat: Since the cheesecake layer requires advance preparation and refrigeration, this recipe allows busy home bakers to plan ahead and serve an elegant dessert without last-minute stress, making it perfect for special occasions or weekend gatherings.
  • Simplify Complex Baking: Despite its sophisticated appearance, the recipe uses straightforward techniques that even intermediate bakers can successfully execute, breaking down a seemingly complicated dessert into manageable steps with reliable results.

Things You Need For White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center

Cake Base and Filling:
  • White Cake Mix: A quick and reliable base for a moist and fluffy cake texture.
  • White Chocolate: Adds rich, creamy flavor and smooth sweetness to the cake layers.
  • Cream Cheese: Creates a rich, tangy cheesecake center with smooth and creamy consistency.
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Essential for structure, richness, and binding the cake ingredients together.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides deep, classic flavor that enhances both cake and cheesecake layers.
  • Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender cake texture.
Preparation and Baking Ingredients:
  • Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking to the pan.
  • Cooking Spray or Butter: Helps grease the pan for smooth cake release.

How To Bake White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Grease an 8-inch springform pan thoroughly. Line the bottom and sides with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking. Set the pan aside on a clean kitchen counter.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Cheesecake Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl. Add cream cheese and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer to blend until the mixture becomes silky smooth and free of lumps. Gently incorporate eggs and pure vanilla extract. Mix carefully until ingredients are just combined, being careful not to overwork the batter.

Step 3: Bake the Cheesecake Layer

Carefully pour the cheesecake mixture into the prepared springform pan. Smooth the top using a rubber spatula. Place the pan in a preheated oven at 325F (160C). Bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a slight jiggle in the center when gently shaken. The edges should appear set while the middle remains slightly soft.

Step 4: Cool and Chill the Cheesecake

Remove the cheesecake from the oven. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature. This prevents cracking and helps the texture stabilize. Once cooled, transfer the pan to the refrigerator. Chill for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight for best results.

Tips For White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center

  • Chill Before Cutting: Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 2 hours to ensure it sets perfectly and makes slicing clean and easy.
  • Prevent Cracking Technique: Avoid overmixing the cheesecake batter and bake in a water bath to create a smooth, crack-free surface.
  • Customize Flavor Boost: Swap vanilla extract with almond or coconut extract to enhance the white German chocolate cake's tropical notes.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring cream cheese and eggs to room temperature before mixing to achieve a silky, lump-free cheesecake batter.
  • Springform Pan Trick: Use parchment paper lining for effortless cake removal and a professional-looking presentation.

How To Store White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center

  • Refrigerate: Store the white German chocolate cheesecake in an airtight container within the refrigerator. Properly covered, the cake will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days.
  • Wrap Carefully: Cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and protect it from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Freeze Option: Slice the cake into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake maintains quality for 2-3 months.
  • Thaw Gently: Remove frozen cake slices from the freezer and let them defrost slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid room temperature thawing to maintain texture and prevent bacterial growth.

Pairing Tips For White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center

  • Pair with Sweet Dessert Wine: Complement the rich, creamy white German chocolate cheesecake with a luscious Moscato d'Asti or a late harvest Riesling. These sweet wines will enhance the cake's delicate flavors and provide a crisp, refreshing contrast to the dense cheesecake center.
  • Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top a slice with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, smooth texture and pure vanilla notes will beautifully balance the cake's decadent white chocolate and creamy cheesecake layers, creating a heavenly dessert experience.
  • Match with Fresh Raspberry Coulis: Drizzle a vibrant raspberry coulis around the cake slice. The bright, tart raspberry sauce will cut through the richness of the white chocolate and provide a stunning color contrast, adding a fresh, fruity dimension to each bite.
  • Complement with Toasted Coconut Sprinkle: Garnish the cake with lightly toasted coconut flakes. The nutty, caramelized coconut will echo the white chocolate's sweetness while adding a delightful crunch and tropical hint to the creamy dessert.

Ideas To Change Up White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center

  • Tropical Paradise Cake: Swap the vanilla extract with coconut extract and fold in crushed pineapple into the cheesecake batter for a tropical-inspired white German chocolate experience.
  • Nutty Chocolate Delight: Mix chopped macadamia nuts or almonds into the white chocolate cake batter and sprinkle additional toasted nuts on top of the finished cake for extra crunch.
  • Berry Bliss Version: Swirl raspberry or strawberry puree through the cheesecake layer before baking, creating a beautiful marbled effect and adding fruity brightness to the classic recipe.
  • Salted Caramel Fusion: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce between the cheesecake and white chocolate cake layers, enhancing the dessert with a rich, complex flavor profile.

FAQs For White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center

FAQs for White German Chocolate Cheesecake:

  • What makes this cake different from a traditional German chocolate cake?

This recipe combines a classic German chocolate cake with a creamy cheesecake center, creating a unique two-layer dessert that blends rich chocolate flavors with smooth, tangy cheesecake.

  • Can I use milk chocolate instead of white chocolate?

White chocolate is essential for this specific recipe’s flavor profile. Substituting with milk chocolate would significantly change the cake’s taste and texture, so it’s best to stick with white chocolate.

  • Do I need any special baking skills to make this cake?

While the recipe requires some intermediate baking techniques, a home baker with basic skills can successfully create this dessert by following the steps carefully and paying attention to details like mixing and baking times.

  • Is this cake suitable for special occasions?

Absolutely! The elegant combination of white chocolate and cheesecake makes this an impressive dessert perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration where you want to create a memorable sweet treat.

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White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center Recipe

White German Chocolate Cake With A Cheesecake Center Recipe


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4.5 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Silky white german chocolate cake nestles a luscious cheesecake center, creating an irresistible dessert masterpiece. Sweet layers of luxurious flavor invite you to savor each delectable bite of this indulgent culinary creation.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Cake Ingredients:

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 0.5 cup white chocolate (melted and slightly cooled)
  • 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cheesecake Center Ingredients:

  • 16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter (cubed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking vessel by coating an 8-inch springform pan with butter and lining the bottom with parchment paper. Set the oven temperature to 325F (160C) to create an ideal baking environment.
  2. Create a velvety cheesecake foundation by blending cream cheese and sugar until achieving a silky, uniform consistency. Gently incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, stirring minimally to maintain a delicate texture.
  3. Transfer the luxurious cheesecake mixture into the prepared pan, ensuring an even distribution. Position the pan in the preheated oven and allow the delicate custard to bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, watching for a subtle jiggle in the center that indicates perfect doneness.
  4. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and permit it to cool naturally within the pan, allowing the internal temperature to stabilize. Once reached room temperature, carefully place the pan in the refrigerator and let it chill thoroughly for a minimum of 2 hours, enabling the filling to set completely and develop a rich, creamy consistency.

Notes

  • Prevent cheesecake cracking by using a water bath during baking, which helps distribute heat evenly and maintains moisture.
  • Soften cream cheese at room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free texture that blends perfectly with other ingredients.
  • Chill the cheesecake layer thoroughly to create a firm, stable base that won’t collapse when assembling the final cake.
  • Customize the recipe by adding white chocolate chips to the cheesecake batter or incorporating almond extract for an enhanced flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: German

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
James Mitchell

James Mitchell

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Creation and Testing​, Fusion Cuisine​, Food Styling and Photography​, Culinary Education​

Education

Kendall College, Chicago, IL

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classic and modern cooking techniques, with a specialization in international cuisines.​

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Advanced Certificate in Gastronomy
  • Focus: In-depth studies of global food cultures, flavor profiling, and innovative recipe development.​

James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation. 

His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.

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