This German Chocolate Brownie recipe is so easy to make from scratch and is the perfect mix of chocolate brownie, coconut, chopped pecans, and all the caramel goodness.
German Chocolate Brownies
These amazing German chocolate brownies were really inspired by two things:
First, my LOVE for the coconut pecan frosting that goes on German chocolate cake. It’s absolutely amazing and pairs as deliciously with homemade brownies as it does a delicious chocolate cake!
Second, if you’ve ever been to Kneaders bakery you may have noticed the German Chocolate Brownies in their dessert case. I’m not kidding, every time I’m there that is the only dessert in the case that makes me drool! I knew they’d be even better homemade, and oh boy, they really are!
What is German Chocolate?
The term “German chocolate” can refer to several different things. It might refer to chocolate manufactured in Germany, a German chocolate cake, or to baking chocolate. What makes these brownies “German chocolate brownies,” is the delicious coconut pecan and caramel frosting.
How to make homemade German Chocolate Brownies:
The base for these brownies is my really simple one bowl brownie recipe. While the brownies are baking, make the german chocolate frosting by combining the sugar, butter, egg yolks, and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir it for several minutes, until it thickens.
Remove it from heat and stir in the vanilla, pecans, and coconut. Spoon the frosting on top of the brownies and enjoy!
This delicious coconut pecan frosting is what I use to make my popular German Chocolate Cake recipe. It’s addicting, and I could eat it plain, with a spoon! Keep it mind that the frosting will thicken as it cools. You can also make it a few days in advance, stored in the fridge.
Consider trying these popular desserts:
- German Chocolate Cake
- Snickerdoodles Bars
- Mississippi Mud Brownies
- Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake
- Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Apple Crisp
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Recipe
German Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Brownies:
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
- ½ cup butter , softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the German Chocolate Frosting:
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/3 cup evaporated milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Instructions
For the Brownies:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13'' pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, pour oil over cocoa powder and mix. Add softened butter and mix until smooth. Add sugar and mix for 1 minute.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add vanilla and mix. Add flour and salt and stir to combine.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
For the German Chocolate Frosting:
- In a medium saucepan add brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly for several minutes until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts and coconut. Allow to cool completely.
- Once the brownies have cooled, cover the brownies with a layer of German chocolate frosting.
Nutrition
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RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
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Could you use whole milk here instead of evaporated milk?
Yes, that’s fine.
LOVED this one, I didn’t have any pecans to add but it turned out great!
The egg yolks in the frosting yielded a horrible mixture-like putting scrambled eggs in frosting!
You have to stir constantly while the frosting is heating up or the egg will do that!
Good but not great. I baked the brownies for only 20 minutes and they are dry. The batter tasted good before it went in, so I might try baking in an 8×8 next time. I also doubled the topping recipe and it’s still not nearly as stacked high as in the advertising images. My recommendations for people making this recipe: bake the brownies in an 8×8 and keep an eye to make sure they don’t get dry, double-triple the topping recipe.
Always make brownies for someones BDay
RAVE reviews on German Choc Icing. TKS for sharing
Nice brownie. Possibly a little dry. I like that the brownie is not too sweet as the frosting is on the sweeter side. It makes a nice balance. The frosting was very good. Tasted like a traditional German chocolate frosting. Really enjoyed this recipe overall and will make again. Thanks for sharing it.
Delicious Brownies with or without the frosting!
Mine were really dry. I must have done something wrong even though I followed the recipe. I’m guessing they were overcooked. I cooked them for only 30 min and usually we have to cook things longer with our oven. They came out really thin too by using a 9 x 13 pan. I was pretty disappointed since I made them for my husband’s birthday.
I have made this frosting twice for my wife as I love to cook. Yummy Yummy!!! Can I double the recipe I wonder and freeze a portion?
Yes. So happy you’ve liked them :-).
These turned out beautifully! The brownies were delicious and had a good clear chocolate flavor. I added some chocolate chips for a little extra. And the frosting is pretty incredible. Simple caramel deliciousness. I made the frosting while the brownies were baking in the oven, and the only challenge I encountered was trying not to eat all of the frosting before it was time to put it on the brownies.
This recipe is worth saving and making again
Too die for!!!
One out of the nine five-star reviews is from someone who’s actually tried the recipe, the other eight are from people who think it looks good but have not tried it. I have not tried it either, just figured I’d make the rating a little more honest, considering it is the reason i clicked on the recipe. Does look good though!
I made these for my son’s teacher for teacher appreciation day. I doubled it so I could have some for home to avoid mutiny, and WOW. These are so delicious!! My family loves them and I was very proud to take them to the teacher. Thank you!
All your recipes sound so good , and easy. My boys and hub love GCC for their birthdays, but for their Thanksgiving visit I’ll make these brownies. Thank you!
These brownies look amazing! I can’t wait to try them. Just to let you know, German chocolate cake has nothing to do with the country of Germany. The baker that developed the recipe had the last name of German.
Interesting. That’s like Caesar salad
My hubs loves German chocolate and this is a fun twist with the brownie.
I made this recipe tonite, mainly because I didn’t have enough cocoa for my regular brownie recipe. Everything is delicious. I would advise doubling the topping recipe, as there was barely enough to cover the top of the brownies. When I make them again (and I will!), I will do just that. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I’m not such a fan of the pecan frosting, but the recipe does look delicious. Will give it a try!
Yum! We love brownies in a hole in our house, but I’ve never done it before! It looks delicious!
Love all the ingredients. Perfect announcement of autumn ! Thank you !