Mini German Chocolate Cakes In A Can, Gluten Free!
By: Kelsey Ganes
Published: September 25, 2011

If you thought cakes baked in a jar were cool, these can-baked gluten free layer cakes will blow your mind. While these are not authentic German Chocolate cakes, all of the key ingredients are there - while you're savoring the signature coconut and pecan filling, you won't remember a thing! Making just enough for two people to indulge in this classic dessert, these mini German Chocolate Cakes are perfect for a romantic evening at home, an intimate dinner party or when baking for one! 
Gluten Free Mini German Chocolate Cakes (Baked in a Can)
Adapted from Small Batch Baking, Serves 2
1/2 cup all-purpose gluten free flour (see notes)
	1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
	1/4 cup heavy whipping cream or half and half, heated until almost boiling
	2 Tbsp sour cream (at room temperature)
	1 large egg yolk
	1/2 tsp vanilla extract
	1/3 cup sugar
	1/8 tsp baking soda
	Pinch of salt
3 Tbsp gluten free caramel sauce (I am obsessed with Somebody's Mother's Caramel Sauce -- gourmet, gluten free and oh-my-god-delicious!)
	1/4 cup sweetened, flaked coconut, toasted according to package instructions
	3 Tbsp chopped pecans, toasted
	1 cup of your favorite chocolate frosting (I love David Lebovitz's chocolate icing recipe)
Notes:
	Make sure that you have 2 14-14.5 oz cans that have been emptied, their labels removed and scrubbed clean inside and out. It is also super important that you use a can opener that leaves a smooth, flat edge or you're going to have a riot of a time trying to get the finished cakes out!
* Addititionally, I prefer to use Jules Gluten Free Flour blend for baking -- of all the flour blends I have tried over the years, this is my favorite cake-baking flour blend
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease cans with butter, lightly dust with your favorite all purpose flour blend or sweet rice flour (shaking the excess free) and place a small round of parchment paper at the bottom. Set aside. 
In a small, heatproof bowl, combine hot cream with chocolate and whisk well until the chocolate is  completely melted. Allow chocolate ganache to cool slightly.
Combine sour cream, egg yolk, oil and vanilla in a small bowl, mixing well. Add the ganache and whisk well to blend. 
Whisk together flour blend, sugar, baking soda and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the liquid ingredients and stir well until just mixed.
Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared baking cans, spooning the mixture carefully and smoothing any drips with a spatula. The batter will fill each can about 1/3 of the way. Place cans on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. 
Once fully baked, remove the baking sheet and cans from the oven. Place the cans upright on a wire rack to cool for 12-15 minutes. Run a sharp knife along the inside of each can to loosen the cake, then invert. Stand the cakes upright on the wire rack to cool completely, another 10-15 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine caramel sauce, toasted coconut and chopped pecans. Mix well. Reserve 2 Tbsp in small bowl.
Once the cakes have cooled, cut them in half horizontally, creating two layers. On a serving plate or small cardboard round, place the bottom half of each cake, cut side up. Spread a layer of the caramel coconut mixture across the top of each bottom piece, dividing the mixture evenly between the two cakes. Place the top layer of each cake over the filling, frost with your favorite chocolate frosting. Place 1 Tbsp of the reserved caramel coocnut mixture on top of each cake, creating a decorative frosting border around the top (see above photo), and voila!