German Chocolate Brownies – easy from scratch fudgy brownies with a luscious coconut pecan frosting are a simple but indulgent dessert!
If you’re really in a hurry, you can use a boxed brownie mix, it’s the frosting that takes them over the top. Fans of German chocolate cake will fall for these brownies in an instant!
Between February 9th and 15th, we celebrate two birthdays and Valentine’s Day. That’s a lot of treats. It is a really happy week for my kids!
My oldest son and my husband often request these german chocolate brownies for their birthdays. Yep, brownies, not cake.
We aren’t huge cake fans around here. Brownies are so much more moist, fudgy, and yummy! And everyone knows that the coconut pecan frosting is the best part of German chocolate cake. It’s the star of these brownies as well.
HOMEMADE GERMAN CHOCOLATE FROSTING FOR THE WIN!
If you’ve never tried the homemade German chocolate frosting, you really should. It takes a bit of time, but it is sooo worth it.
That stuff in the can is sickeningly sweet, and just plain nasty in my opinion. Not even in the same class as the real thing made with butter and egg yolks.
HOW TO MAKE GERMAN CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
- BROWNIE BASE – You can either use my simple homemade brownie recipe, or use a brownie mix. Just make sure you use a mix that will fit a 9×13″ cake pan.
- COOL – Before you frost the brownies, you want to let them cool to room temperature.
- FROSTING – Whisk together evaporated milk, egg yolks, and sugar in a heavy saucepan. Add the butter. Cook and stir over medium heat for about 12 minutes, or until thick. Stir in vanilla, coconut, and pecans.
- FROST BROWNIES – Spread the cooled frosting over the brownies. Keep in mind that it will thicken as it cools.
You are definitely going to want to lick that spoon – trust me!
Storing leftover brownies:
These brownies will last for up to a week at room temperature if covered tightly or placed in an airtight container.
If you want to freeze the brownies, I recommend either freezing the brownies and frosting separately, or wrapping the brownies individually in plastic wrap, freezing them, then placing them in ziplock bags or freezer safe containers.
When ready to serve, let them thaw at room temperature, then unwrap and eat them.
VARIATIONS:
- As mentioned above, you can use a brownie mix instead of making the brownie base from scratch.
- Pecans are typically used in german chocolate frosting, but you can use walnuts if you prefer.
- You can use heavy cream in place of the evaporated milk.
- For extra decadent brownies, stir a cup or two of chocolate chips into the brownie batter.
- Feeling fancy? Drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the frosted brownies.
Love brownies? Here are a few more incredible brownie recipes:
More tasty German Chocolate Desserts:
German Chocolate Brownie Recipe
German Chocolate Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa heaping
- ¾ tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
German Chocolate Frosting
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 cup sugar or brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans toasted
Instructions
Brownies:
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl in the order listed.
- Whisk till smooth and pour into a greased 9x13" pan. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs .
- Cool to room temperature. Cover with coconut pecan frosting.
Frosting:
- Combine milk, egg yolks, and sugar in a heavy saucepan. Whisk till thoroughly blended. Add the butter.
- Cook and stir over medium heat till thick; about 12 minutes. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla, coconut, and nuts. Cool until thick enough to spread.
Nutrition
Fudgy brownies topped with a generous layer of homemade coconut pecan frosting make for the best german chocolate brownies ever!
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Hey, would I be able to use a brownie box mix if in a pinch?
Absolutely! The frosting is what makes them amazing. 🙂
I followed the simple brownie recipe and they turned out amazing! The frosting pulls it all together and really makes its scrumptious!
I opted for the brown sugar to get that darker color and extra sweetness. I brought to work and everyone in the office loved them!
So glad they turned out amazing! I bet your co-workers love you! 🙂
The brownies don’t call for baking soda or baking powder?
Nope, the eggs are all the leavening they need. Adding baking soda or powder would make them more like cake.
If I delete the nuts should I increase the coconut? And if so by how much? I can’t eat any nuts.
You don’t have to increase the coconut, but you can. Just add enough until it’s a consistency you want.
I made these and they turned out awesome. I used brown sugar in the coconut frosting and it tasted amazing! Such a great recipe! 🙂
Yum, I bet it was even more rich and delicious!
Do these have to refrigerated?
No, I never refrigerate them and they are just fine!
Hey Kara, new to baking so help a girl out…
What’s the difference from using butter vs marg and sugar vs, brown sugar (texture, sweetness, etc)
Thanks!!!!!!
Liz
I think everything tastes better with butter, so that’s what I always use. But for people who can’t have dairy, margarine is a great substitute. Brown sugar adds a more rich caramel flavor, but it also changes the color of the frosting slightly. I usually just use the white sugar. Both are tasty!
The ingredients for the brownies neglected to list any sugar. I added 1-1/2 cup if sugar
It’s actually listed as the first ingredient on the recipe card, and 1 1/2 cups is the correct amount. 🙂
What can I use for evaporated milk?
You can try using heavy or light cream. Either should work.
Do you use self rising or all purpose flour?
all purpose flour
Amazing!!
So glad you loved them Chrissi! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I think they mean the recipe card is hard to read because the brownies and frosting are all in the same list. It would be easy to add incorrect ingredients ????
Apparently there was some kind of glitch when I switched to my new recipe card format. It didn’t show up on my end before. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I was able to fix it!
I tried this recipe for a labor day party with my family and close friends and it turned out amazingly. The brownies were delicious and perfectly moist, and the frosting was an perfect addition, will definitely redo this recipe again!
They’re a favorite at our house, so I’m glad they were a hit at your party! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, I really do appreciate hearing from my readers. 🙂
Not the best recipe. You need to separate the brownie and the topping so the two don’t get combined! Will try this though! Looks yummy
I’m not sure what you mean. The brownie and the topping are separate. But I guess you could just serve the brownies with the frosting on the side if that’s the way you roll. 🙂