German Chocolate Brownies
Be warned, chocolate lovers! German Chocolate Brownies are addictive. These dense, fudgy brownies are topped with a luscious coconut pecan icing that will remind you of German Chocolate Cake. These brownies are to die for. Seriously. This dessert has everything you want in a brownie, yet it’s not overly difficult to make, nor is it super expensive.
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I got a call from our church secretary a couple of weeks ago. She was wondering if I could make brownies for 48 people. I said sure. That’s when I came up with the idea for German Chocolate Brownies and a couple of other desserts. I started with a thick, fudgy brownie layer. This one uses many of the same ingredients as my favorite Fudge Frosted Brownies, but instead of four eggs I used two. Even though the bottom layer looks like I used a dark chocolate, I used regular cocoa.
The icing is adapted from one of my favorite German Chocolate Cake recipes. While you can cut these brownies after baking them. I actually had the brownies in my refrigerator a couple of days before I cut into them. I thought they might be a little easier to cut without getting crumbs everywhere. When I tasted them, I thought they turned out awesome.
One thing about the icing……you must stir it continuously and over a low to low-medium heat. Otherwise, the eggs will scramble (yikes), or the sauce will scorch on the bottom (ugh)! Yes, it’s not easily standing up and stirring for 15 solid minutes but it’s worth it!
When I was growing up my mom used to make a dessert for every dinner meal. For that matter, she always put homemade cookies in our lunches too. One of my favorite desserts was her triple layer German Chocolate Cake. Mom didn’t scrimp out on the icing either. The top, sides and in between the layers were all loaded with her terrific coconut pecan icing. It was a fantastic cake and one she made for birthdays and special occasions often.
I miss not being able to enjoy my mom’s delectable desserts any more, but thankfully she passed on to me a love for cooking! While I need to get around to making her German Chocolate Cake one of these days, I believe these brownies would have done her proud. (Love and miss you, Mom).
If you’re looking for a brownie to wow your guests, friends, family or co-workers, you need to bake up a batch of these sensational German Chocolate Brownies immediately. Be prepared to have them go really, really fast. In fact, you may have to make up another batch really soon, too, if you want seconds! 🙂
German Chocolate Brownies are awesome!
Be warned! These luscious brownies are addictive.
The brownie layer is very dense and thick like brownies should be. It’s not a bit cake-like.
German Chocolate Brownies are perfect for holidays, special occasions and any party or potluck. Everyone loves them!
Here’s what I did.
I used these ingredients for the brownie layer.
Melt butter.
Add remaining ingredients.
Mix with an electric mixer until combined. Mixture will be stiff.
Spread or pat ingredients into a greased 8×12″ baking dish. (You can also use a 9×9″ baking dish).
Bake at 350 about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (Your oven may cook the brownie layer more quickly). Cool completely.
I used these ingredients for the icing.
Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add sugar and half-and half.
Add beaten egg yolks and stir continuously for about 10-15 minutes until icing thickens. (The recipe will be at a very low boil).
IMPORTANT: You must stir the icing continuously over low heat or you can end up with scrambled eggs in the icing or scorching it on the bottom of the saucepan. 🙁
Turn off heat. Add vanilla, coconut and finely diced pecans.
Stir ingredients to combine.
Pour hot icing over top of cooled brownie layer. If desired, garnish with whole pecan halves. (Press them into the icing so they adhere).
If you love your chocolate, you’ll love these German Chocolate Brownies.
These brownies are thick and fudgy. They’re terrific to serve at baby showers, backyard barbecues or when grilling out with friends.
German Chocolate Brownies are sure to go fast. You’d better make plenty of them!
Every bite of German Chocolate Brownies will have you drooling!
Here’s the recipe.
GERMAN CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
(My own concoction)
German Chocolate Brownies
Equipment
- 1 electric mixer
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 8x12" glass baking dish
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 medium sauce pan
Ingredients
BROWNIES:
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick)
- 1 1/4 cups cocoa
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
- 1 tbsp. vanilla extract (no substitutes) (tablespoon NOT teaspoon)
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
COCONUT-PECAN ICING:
- 3/4 cup half-and-half (you can also use heavy whipping cream)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large egg yolks beaten (discard whites)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract (no substitutes)
- 1 cup coconut
- 3/4 cup pecan chips (these are very finely diced pecans)
- 12 pecan halves for decoration
Instructions
BROWNIES:
- Melt butter.
- Add remaining ingredients and mix with an electric mixer until ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Ingredients will be thick/stiff.
- Spread brownie mixture into a greased 8x12” glass baking dish.
- Bake at 350 about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before adding icing.
COCONUT-PECAN ICING:
- Melt butter in a medium-sized skillet over low-to-medium heat.
- Add half-and-half and granulated sugar and stir to combine.
- Add beaten egg yolks and continue stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until mixture thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
- (The mixture will be at a very low boil).
- Remove from heat.
- Add vanilla and stir to combine.
- Then stir in coconut and pecan chips.
- Spread icing over top of the brownies.
- Place whole pecan halves in a 3x4 pattern on top of the icing.
- Press down slightly so the pecan halves will adhere to the icing.
Notes
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
Nutrition
For those who love coconut, German Chocolate Brownies are amazing.
The combination of chocolate, coconut and pecans is spectacular!
I assure you, these are irresistible! 🙂
I guarantee, once you eat one of these brownies, you won’t want to stop!
You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!
Hershey’s Chocolate Nugget Brownies
German Chocolate Brownies
Equipment
- 1 electric mixer
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 8×12" glass baking dish
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 medium sauce pan
Ingredients
BROWNIES:
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick)
- 1 1/4 cups cocoa
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
- 1 tbsp. vanilla extract (no substitutes) (tablespoon NOT teaspoon)
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
COCONUT-PECAN ICING:
- 3/4 cup half-and-half (you can also use heavy whipping cream)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large egg yolks beaten (discard whites)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract (no substitutes)
- 1 cup coconut
- 3/4 cup pecan chips (these are very finely diced pecans)
- 12 pecan halves for decoration
Instructions
BROWNIES:
- Melt butter.
- Add remaining ingredients and mix with an electric mixer until ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Ingredients will be thick/stiff.
- Spread brownie mixture into a greased 8×12” glass baking dish.
- Bake at 350 about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before adding icing.
COCONUT-PECAN ICING:
- Melt butter in a medium-sized skillet over low-to-medium heat.
- Add half-and-half and granulated sugar and stir to combine.
- Add beaten egg yolks and continue stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until mixture thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
- (The mixture will be at a very low boil).
- Remove from heat.
- Add vanilla and stir to combine.
- Then stir in coconut and pecan chips.
- Spread icing over top of the brownies.
- Place whole pecan halves in a 3×4 pattern on top of the icing.
- Press down slightly so the pecan halves will adhere to the icing.
9 Comments
Debbie
July 26, 2019 at 1:28 pm
These bars turned out great. I cheated and used a brownie mix for the bottom. Cooked the top. Tasted delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Teresa
July 27, 2019 at 7:19 am
You’re welcome, Debbie. So glad you liked it.
work
March 2, 2018 at 9:23 am
These are not only super fudgy, easy to make cookies that are ready to eat about 15 minutes after pulling them out of the oven (being careful NOT to burn yourself) full of melted chocolate lava chunks throughout, they are absolutely incredibly fudgy the next day! AND the day after that, and even stay fudgy after freezing them OR eating them cold out of the refrigerator up to a week later.
Teresa
March 2, 2018 at 11:10 am
They are delicious no matter how you serve them. 🙂
benchmarc
March 1, 2018 at 7:39 am
Teresa, thanks for the article post.Really thank you! Great.
Teresa
March 1, 2018 at 7:51 am
🙂
German Chocolate Brownies — Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Meals are on Wheels
February 26, 2018 at 6:08 pm
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Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess
February 26, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Those GC brownies look delectable Teresa! What a sweet story about your mom! She sounded so amazing and thoughtful to have dessert after each meal and home-made cookies in your lunches for the family. Such a gem!
Teresa
February 26, 2018 at 8:46 pm
Hi, Kim. They really are delectable. Yes, I miss mom so much. But I have tons of wonderful memories of her delicious desserts and home-style cooking. 🙂