Get ready to meet your new favorite dessert: these incredible German Chocolate Brownies. We’re talking about ultra-rich, fudgy chocolate brownies topped with a decadent, gooey coconut pecan frosting. It’s a classic flavor combination, reimagined into a simple, irresistible treat that delivers pure indulgence in every single bite. Forget the complicated layer cake; this is all the flavor you love, made easy.
If you’ve been searching for a dessert that truly stands out, this is it. Each square is a perfect balance of deep chocolate flavor and the sweet, nutty, caramel-like topping that makes German chocolate so unique. They’re perfect for holidays, bake sales, or just a Tuesday night when you need a serious chocolate fix.
What Makes These the BEST German Chocolate Brownies?
This isn’t just another brownie recipe. We’ve focused on two key things: an intensely fudgy brownie base and a foolproof, gloriously gooey topping. The brownies are made with both melted chocolate and cocoa powder for a deep, complex flavor that isn’t overly sweet. This creates the perfect foundation for the star of the show: the coconut pecan frosting. It’s cooked on the stovetop until thick and caramel-like, ensuring it stays soft and luscious instead of gritty or dry. It’s a match made in dessert heaven.
What You’ll Need
We’ll tackle this recipe in two simple parts: the brownie base and the iconic frosting. Using quality ingredients here will make a huge difference in the final flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Fudgy Brownies
- German’s Sweet Chocolate: This is essential for the authentic flavor. It has a milder, sweeter profile than semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and that fudgy texture.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: A mix of both sugars adds moisture and a slight caramel note.
- Eggs: They bind the ingredients and create structure.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just enough to hold it all together without making the brownies cakey.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds another layer of deep chocolate flavor.
- Vanilla Extract & Salt: These are flavor enhancers that you should never skip!
For the Coconut Pecan Frosting
- Evaporated Milk: The key to a rich and creamy, non-runny frosting. Do not substitute with regular milk.
- Egg Yolks: They help to thicken the frosting into a luscious, custard-like consistency.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a smooth mouthfeel.
- Brown Sugar: Provides the classic caramel flavor base.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut: For that signature chewy texture and sweet flavor.
- Pecans: Toasted pecans provide the perfect nutty crunch to contrast the gooey topping.
- Vanilla Extract: To round out the flavors.
How to Make German Chocolate Brownies (Step-by-Step)
Making these German Chocolate Brownies from scratch is surprisingly simple. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a show-stopping dessert ready in no time. We’ll make and bake the brownies first, then prepare the frosting while they cool.
Step 1: Make the Brownie Batter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the brownies out later. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the German’s Sweet Chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Slowly pour in the cooled chocolate mixture and stir until just combined. Finally, gently fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt until no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix!
Step 2: Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. It’s better to slightly underbake them to keep them fudgy. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan while you make the frosting.
Step 3: Prepare the Coconut Pecan Frosting
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the evaporated milk, egg yolks, butter, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 8-10 minutes. The mixture will bubble and thicken into a custard-like consistency. It’s important to keep stirring to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Once it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove it from the heat. Immediately stir in the vanilla extract, shredded coconut, and toasted pecans. Let the frosting cool for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
Step 4: Frost and Serve
Once the brownies are completely cool and the frosting has thickened, pour the frosting over the brownies and use a spatula to spread it evenly. Allow the frosting to set for at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps ensure clean slices. If you love gooey brownies, you might also want to try this amazing Turtle Poke Cake recipe.
Tips for Perfect German Chocolate Brownies Every Time
- Do Not Overbake the Brownies: The key to a fudgy texture is to pull them from the oven when they are slightly underdone. The residual heat will finish the baking process.
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: This helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter, creating a more uniform texture.
- Toast Your Pecans: Toasting pecans for 5-7 minutes in the oven before adding them to the frosting deepens their nutty flavor and adds a fantastic crunch.
- Let Them Cool Completely: It’s tempting to cut into them right away, but allowing the brownies and frosting to cool and set is crucial for clean, beautiful squares. For another recipe that tests your patience but is totally worth it, check out these Almond Joy Cookie Bars.
Variations and Substitutions
While the classic recipe is fantastic, you can easily customize it to your liking.
- Different Nuts: Not a fan of pecans? Walnuts or almonds would also be delicious in the frosting.
- Add Chocolate Chips: For an even more decadent treat, fold a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the brownie batter before baking.
- Spice it Up: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of espresso powder in the brownie batter can enhance and deepen the chocolate flavor.
If you’re looking for a different kind of fudgy treat, this Butterfinger Fudge is a must-try!
Storing Your Brownies
You can store these German Chocolate Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them longer, they will last for up to a week in the refrigerator. Note that they are best served at room temperature, so allow them to sit out for a bit before enjoying if they’ve been chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can absolutely make substitutions. For a nut-free version, simply omit the pecans from the frosting. If you don’t like coconut, you could try a different brownie recipe, as the coconut is a key component of the ‘German Chocolate’ flavor profile.
The best way to check for doneness is with a toothpick. Insert it into the center of the pan—it should come out with moist, fudgy crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Be careful not to overbake, as that will result in a cakey, dry texture.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. They are best enjoyed at room temperature.
German chocolate is a type of sweetened baking chocolate. It was created by an American baker named Samuel German for the Baker’s Chocolate Company in 1852. It’s milder and sweeter than semi-sweet chocolate, which is why it’s perfect for this recipe.
The main difference is the base. German chocolate cake has a light, layered chocolate cake base, while these brownies have a dense, rich, and fudgy brownie base. Both are topped with the same delicious coconut pecan frosting.
More Decadent Desserts You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these brownies, you’re sure to love some of our other rich and delicious dessert recipes. Try our incredible Caramel Brownie Cheesecake for another brownie-inspired delight, or these festive Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookies.
The Ultimate Treat Awaits
These German Chocolate Brownies are truly something special. With their rich, fudgy base and signature gooey topping, they are guaranteed to be a hit wherever you take them. We hope you love making (and eating!) this recipe as much as we do. If you try it, let us know how it turned out in the comments below and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
German Chocolate Brownies Recipe
German Chocolate Brownies with Gooey Coconut Pecan Frosting
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the German's Sweet Chocolate and 1/2 cup of butter, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Slowly stir the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until well combined.
- Gently fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Do not overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely.
- In a separate saucepan, whisk together the evaporated milk, egg yolks, 1/2 cup butter, and 1 cup brown sugar.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 8-10 minutes until the mixture thickens. It should be bubbly and coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded coconut, toasted pecans, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Let the frosting cool and thicken for at least 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour the cooled frosting over the completely cooled brownies and spread into an even layer.
- Allow the frosting to set for at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
Toast the pecans before adding them to the frosting to enhance their flavor.
Ensure brownies are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.
