White German Chocolate Cake with Cheesecake Center

This White German Chocolate Cake with Cheesecake Center is a stunning, creamy, and crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any time you want to wow guests.

Prep time

30 minutes

Cook time

1 hour 15 minutes

Total time

5 hours (including chilling)

Yield

12 servings

Ingredients

For the cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 cup white chocolate chips (melted)

1 1/4 cups sugar

3 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the cheesecake center:

16 oz cream cheese (room temp)

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a springform pan for the cheesecake.
2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs until smooth. Add sour cream.
3. Bake cheesecake in a water bath for 40–45 min. Cool gradually, then refrigerate 4+ hrs.
4. Prepare cake batter: melt white chocolate and butter, then combine with sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and dry ingredients.
5. Divide batter into two pans and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
6. Cool cakes completely. Level if needed.
7. Stack: cake layer, cheesecake layer, top cake layer.
8. Frost with cream cheese frosting or white chocolate ganache.
9. Chill before slicing for best results.

Notes

Make the cheesecake layer a day ahead for easier assembly.

Cake can be frozen before frosting for up to 2 months.