• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mindee's Cooking Obsession
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
×

Home » Cake Recipes » Coconut Pecan Frosting aka German Chocolate Frosting

Coconut Pecan Frosting aka German Chocolate Frosting

Published: Feb 18, 2021 · Modified: May 3, 2022 by Mindee · This post contains affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sharing is caring!

32.1K shares
  • Share376
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Is German Chocolate Cake your favorite? Do you want to learn how to make the coconut-pecan frosting from scratch? My recipe is different from all the rest and that one difference takes all worry about messing it up away! So ditch the canned stuff and let me show you how it's done!

A little bowl of coconut pecan frosting.
Homemade Coconut Pecan Frosting aka German Chocolate Cake Frosting
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Couple Things You'll Need
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips
  • Related Recipes
  • Coconut Pecan Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • This easy recipe uses the entire egg, not just the egg yolks!
  • Uses a technique that guarantees success!
  • Classic recipe! No artificial flavor! No corn syrup! The best nutty flavor!
  • Great recipe to frost my Death by Chocolate Cake!

Ingredient Notes

  • Eggs - Yes, the whole egg not just the yolks. It is not a mistake that I've listed to use the whole egg.
  • Butter - Doesn't matter whether butter is salted butter or unsalted butter.
  • Pecans - if you can find pecan chips or pecan pieces instead of the halves or rough chopped it's a huge time saver.
  • Vanilla? - If you would like to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract feel free to do so.
Ingredients for Coconut Pecan Frosting.
The simple ingredients you'll need to make this delicious frosting!

Couple Things You'll Need

Image of Glass Measuring Cups

Glass Measuring Cups

Buy Now →
Image of Stick Hand Blender

Stick Hand Blender

Buy Now →

Step by Step Instructions

  • Chop up your pecans while your oven preheats to 350 degrees.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil and spread the pecan chips across it.
  • Toast for 4-5 minutes in the oven.
  • Set aside.
Toasted pecans on a baking sheet.
Toast the pecans to enhance their flavor!
  • Crack 3 eggs, yes, the entire egg, into a deep bowl. My preference is a 4 cup measuring cup for this.
  • Beat the eggs with a whisk really well and set aside.
  • Put the butter and sugar in a medium saucepan.
Beat eggs well and set aside.  Melt butter with sugar in a pot.
Get the eggs ready and heat the butter and sugar in a pot.
  • Pour in the evaporated milk.
  • Over medium heat, bring the contents in the pot to a simmer.
  • Here's the trick you won't find in anyone else's recipe....temper the eggs!
  • While whisking vigorously, pour the hot liquid into the eggs in a small stream. This will cook the eggs without scrambling them.
  • Pour the hot egg mixture back into the pot and return to the stove.
Pour in the evaporated milk and bring to a simmer.  Vigorously whisk into the eggs and pour back in pot.
Temper the eggs with the hot liquid.
  • Cook over medium heat until the liquid thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This should take 3 or so minutes stirring constantly to avoid burning to the bottom of the pan.
  • Remove from the heat.
  • Stir in the pecans and coconut.
  • Cool before using!
  • There should be enough frosting to frost the inside, top of a 2-layer cake and the sides of the cake OR makes 2 dozen german chocolate cupcakes.
  • Store leftover frosting in an airtight container. Put in the fridge to make it last longer, but it's also fine at room temperature.
Cook until liquid thickens, add the pecans and coconut.
Finish off this delicious coconut pecan frosting by adding the pecans and coconut for that wonderful texture!

Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

Why did this curdle?

This happens when you over cook/ over thicken this, however, it does not mean your frosting is ruined. It's just thick. It should still taste fine and the texture should still be smooth so go ahead and stir in the pecans and coconut.

Why did this thicken like a custard?

Because technically this is a custard. Yes, you frost german chocolate cake with it but it really is just a coconut pecan custard opposed to a traditional buttercream frosting.

Does it need to be refridgerated?

No, it doesn't, but it will last longer if stored in the fridge. You will need to allow it to return to room temperature before frosting a cake or cupcakes with it.

Related Recipes

  • Rich Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
  • The Best Buttercream Frosting
  • Raspberry Lemonade Frosting
  • Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Orange Buttercream Frosting

Have you tried this recipe? If so, leave me a rating and a comment below! And don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to get my latest recipes sent right to your email! You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A little bowl of coconut pecan frosting.

Coconut Pecan Frosting Recipe

★★★★★ 4.8 from 30 reviews
  • Author: Mindee
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 3 Cups 1x
  • Category: Cake
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Is German Chocolate Cake your favorite?  Do you want to learn how to make the frosting from scratch?  My recipe is different from all the rest and that one difference takes all worry about messing it up away!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups Chopped Pecans
  • 3 Large Eggs
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 cup Evaporated Milk
  • ½ cup Butter
  • 2 ⅓ cup Sweetened Flaked Coconut

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 
  2. Line a baking sheet with tin foil.
  3. Chop up your pecans and them spread them across the pan.. 
  4. Bake for 4 minutes.  
  5. Remove from oven and set aside.
  6. Crack the eggs into a medium, deep bowl.  I prefer a 4 cup measuring cup.
  7. Whisk the eggs until they are well beaten.
  8. Set them aside.
  9. In a pot over medium heat, bring the butter, evaporated milk and sugar to a simmer.  
  10. When the butter, milk and sugar begins to simmer, remove it from the heat. 
  11. Pour it in a trickle into the eggs while whisking vigorously until all the liquid has been added.
  12. Pour the mixture back into the pot and return it to the stovetop.
  13. Over medium heat, while continuing to stir, bring the mixture back to a low simmer. 
  14. Cook until it coats the back of a spoon. 
  15. Remove from the heat.
  16. Stir in the coconut and pecans. 
  17. Cool completely before frosting you cake.

Notes

  • I did recently update this recipe to call for more pecans and coconut than previously listed.
  • YES!  You use the whole egg.  This is not a mistake or misprint.  I realize that other recipes call for just the yolks.  This one uses the entire egg.
  • If you over cook this it will "curdle" or be like a thick custard, however, it is not ruined!!!  This frosting is technically a custard.  Even if it "curdles" the taste and texture should still be fine, just thick.  Add the pecans and coconut and use it as you planned.

Keywords: german chocolate frosting, coconut pecan frosting

Did you make this recipe?

Tag me on Instagram @mindeescooking and hashtag it #mindeescookingobsession

Thanks for stopping by! Before you go, be sure to check out a few of my most popular recipes!

  • Mini German Pancakes
  • Raspberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls
  • Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cheesecake
  • Easy Lemon Bundt Cake
  • Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs

Any nutritional analysis on this Site is based on an estimate, calculated by Nurtifox plugin (or other third-party source) from the individual ingredients in each recipe. Variations may occur for various reasons, including product availability and food preparation. We make no representation or warranty of the accuracy of this information.

« Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carol RK

    May 06, 2022 at 4:19 pm

    I will be making this soon. German chocolate cake is one of my husbands favorites, but I really don’t like all the fats in canned icing. Thank you for this easy recipe.

    Reply
  2. Tiffany

    April 28, 2022 at 2:30 pm

    I’ve made this several times and it’s an excellent recipe,very easy to follow. I must admit I use ALL the tips to ensure it turns out perfect

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mindee

      April 28, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you so much!!!

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I'm Mindee! Not only do I love to try and create all kinds of recipes, I LOVE to share them! Teaching others how to be successful in cooking in their own kitchens is one of my favorite things to do! Learn more about me or jump right in and check out my recipes!

Follow Me On Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Best Side Salads

Little bowl of pistachio salad.

Pistachio Salad Recipe (aka Watergate Salad)

Salmon Piccata Salad facebook image.

Salmon Piccata Salad

Bowl of poppy seed coleslaw garnished with green onions.

Sweet Poppy Seed Coleslaw

Poppy seed dressing drizzled over green salad.

Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

A southern bbq chicken salad with barbecue ranch dressing.

Southern BBQ Chicken Salad with Barbecue Ranch Dressing

Bowl of macaroni coleslaw.

Macaroni Coleslaw Salad

Plate of layered green salad.

Overnight Layered Green Salad

Barbecue Ranch Pasta Salad

Show Me More!!!

Top 10 Recipes

A deviled egg half on a plate.

Secret Ingredient Deviled Eggs

Slices of fresh white bread

Easy White Bread Recipe (1 Loaf)

A dipping bowl filled with tartar sauce placed on a plate next to some fish fillets.

4 Ingredient Tartar Sauce with Capers

Sticks of Italian Cheese Bread

Copycat Italian Cheese Bread

Slice of lemon bundt cake on a plate.

Easy Lemon Bundt Cake

90 Minute Dinner Rolls (Easy Yeast Rolls for Beginners)

Three soft crumbl oreo cookies sprinkled with extra oreo crumbs.

Soft "Crumbl" Oreo Cookies

two loaves of french bread in a basket.

Homemade French Bread with Video

Pretty slice of black tie mousse cake.

Black Tie Mousse Cake

Watermelon sticks arranged for a picnic or party.

Easy Watermelon Sticks (With How to Video)

Check out my Web Stories!!!

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ

Social

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

 

  • 376Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Yummly
32.1K shares