German Chocolate Browniesrn

close up shot of German Chocolate Brownies

German chocolate brownies are decadent, fudgy treats that blend the rich flavors of German chocolate cake with classic brownies, creating a chocolatey delight.

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Table of Contents

German Chocolate Brownies Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This German Chocolate Brownies Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Get ready to savor the classic flavors of German chocolate and brownies in our mouthwatering German chocolate brownies. They’re a delightful dessert featuring a rich chocolate base topped with a gooey coconut pecan topping that’s sure to impress.

German Chocolate Brownies Ingredients

German Chocolate Brownies raw ingredients that are labeled

These decadent brownies are a delightful fusion of a nutty German chocolate baking bar, gooey semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a chewy coconut-pecan frosting.

The brownies taste indulgently chocolatey with hints of caramel and tropical coconut, offering a satisfying blend of fudgy and chewy textures in every delectable bite.

You’ll need:

For The Brownie Base:

1¼ cups of all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon of table salt
1 cup of salted butter, sliced into 1 tablespoon pats
1 (4-ounce or 113-gram) German chocolate baking bar, chopped
1 cup of light brown sugar, packed
1½ cups of granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
¾ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

For The Coconut Pecan Frosting:

½ cup of salted butter, sliced into 1 tablespoon pats
1 cup of evaporated milk
1 cup of light brown sugar, packed
¼ teaspoon of table salt
3 large egg yolks, room temperature
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
1½ cups of sweetened coconut flakes
1 cup of chopped pecans
½ cup of chocolate melting wafers (optional garnish)

Substitutions and Additions

ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR: If you want a gluten-free option for this German chocolate brownie recipe, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

SALTED BUTTER: Unsalted butter works well, too; just add a pinch of salt to the brownie base.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE BAKING BAR: If you can’t find this specific chocolate, use dark chocolate as a substitute. It will give a slightly different but equally delicious flavor.

SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Experiment with milk or dark chocolate chips for different flavor profiles.

COCONUT PECAN FROSTING: Feel free to use store-bought coconut pecan frosting if you’re short on time.

CHOCOLATE MELTING WAFERS: While optional, they add an elegant touch. You can use melted chocolate chips instead.

How To Make This German Chocolate Brownies Recipe

Making these fudgy brownies is as easy as mixing the chocolatey brownie batter, baking the brownies, and topping them with the delicious coconut pecan frosting.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Allow your eggs and butter to come to room temperature before using. Room-temperature ingredients incorporate better into the batter, resulting in a smoother texture.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper or heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Be sure to leave a slight overhang to help lift the brownies out of the pan. Generously spray the parchment paper or foil with nonstick cooking spray.

PRO TIP:

You can make the brownie base the night before and make the frosting the next day.

STEP TWO: Add the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and table salt to a large bowl (3-4 quarts). Whisk dry ingredients to combine.

STEP THREE: Add the sliced butter pats and chopped baking bar to a 2 to 3-quart saucepan over medium heat.

Stir until the butter and baking bar are melted and completely combined. Remove the pan from the heat.

butter and baking bar added to a saucepan

STEP FOUR: Stir in the light brown and granulated sugar. Continue stirring until the butter mixture and sugars are well combined.

STEP FIVE: Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each egg.

eggs added and stirred into the sugar mixture

STEP SIX: Stir in the vanilla extract.

STEP SEVEN: Add the butter and chocolate mixture to the flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated and no flour lumps remain.

Be careful not to overmix the brownie batter. Fold in the chocolate chips.

butter and chocolate mixture added to the flour mixture

STEP EIGHT: Evenly spread the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes away with a few moist crumbs.

Remove the brownies from the oven and allow the brownies to cool. While the brownies are cooling, make the coconut pecan frosting.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your homemade brownies as the suggested baking time approaches.

brownie batter spread into the baking dish

STEP NINE: Add the sliced butter, evaporated milk, light brown sugar, table salt, egg yolks, and vanilla to a 3 to 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Keep a close eye on the frosting.

If it begins to boil or cook too quickly, reduce to medium-low heat. Stir continuously until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.

Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and reaches a nice golden caramel color. This will take about 9-10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

butter, milk, light brown sugar, salt, egg yolk, and vanilla added to a saucepan

STEP TEN: Stir in the coconut flakes and chopped pecans. Continue stirring until the frosting is thickened; this should take about 3-4 minutes.

Evenly spread the coconut-pecan frosting over top of the brownies. Allow the German chocolate brownies to cool completely.

STEP ELEVEN: Use the parchment paper or foil overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan.

STEP TWELVE: Carefully use a sharp knife to cut 4 slices x 4 slices.

STEP THIRTEEN: Add the chocolate candy melts to a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat, at full power, in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and heat for an additional 20 seconds until melted and smooth.

Add the melted chocolate to a disposable piping bag or a quart-size ziplock with a small corner snipped off. Drizzle the chocolate diagonally over the surface of the coconut frosting. Allow the chocolate to solidify before serving.

chocolate drizzled over the coconut frosting

How To Serve

Elevate your German chocolate brownies by serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm, gooey brownies and the cold, creamy ice cream is divine.

For a special treat, crumble the brownies over yogurt or ice cream. The combination of textures and flavors is simply delightful.

For more recipes that feature the unique German chocolate flavor, try our German chocolate cake and German chocolate fudge.

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Storage

Follow these guidelines for storing any leftover brownies so that you can enjoy them later.

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the brownie base the night before and make the frosting the next day for a convenient make-ahead option.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftover brownies covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. Be sure to keep them airtight to maintain freshness.

IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, wrap brownie squares individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to two months.

REHEATING: To reheat, simply microwave individual brownie squares for about 15 seconds or warm them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes until they’re warm and gooey again.

Why We Love This Recipe

FLAVOR FUSION: We adore this recipe because it brilliantly combines the lusciousness of German chocolate cake with the beloved simplicity of brownies. The result is an explosion of rich flavors.

CROWD-PLEASER: These German chocolate caramel brownies are a hit at any gathering. Their decadence and harmonious blend of textures and flavors make them universally loved.

FREEZER-FRIENDLY: Knowing we can freeze these brownies for future cravings is a game-changer. They taste just as amazing after time in the freezer.

close up shot of German Chocolate Brownies stacked on top of each other on a tray with one having a bite taken out of it

Our German chocolate brownies are a delightful fusion of German chocolate cake and classic brownies. They’re versatile, perfect for various occasions, and can be made ahead. Whether you’re indulging alone or sharing with loved ones, these brownies are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for a German chocolate baking bar?

Dark chocolate is a great alternative that will yield delicious results.

Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?

Absolutely, feel free to experiment with different chocolate chip varieties for this delicious recipe.

How do I know when the German brownies are done baking?

Use the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they’re ready.

Is store-bought coconut pecan frosting okay to use?

Absolutely, it’s a time-saving option that works well.

Can I make these German chocolate cake brownies in advance?

Yes, prepare the brownie base one day and make the frosting the next for a convenient make-ahead option.

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