Coconut Pecan Frosting Recipe

Coconut Pecan Frosting for German Chocolate Cake

This Coconut Pecan Frosting is the perfect topping for my all-time favorite German Chocolate Cake Recipe. And if you already love this classic dessert, Homemade German Chocolate Cake Frosting will make you love it even more!

Also known as Coconut Pecan Frosting, this creamy cake topping can be made right on your stovetop. When you see how easy it is to make, you’ll definitely want to swap it out for the canned stuff!

What is German Chocolate Cake?

Originally known as German’s Chocolate Cake, it was made with German’s Sweet Chocolate which was developed by Samuel German in the mid 1800s. A classic version of the cake is made with moist chocolate cake layers and a rich German Chocolate buttercream then topped with this Coconut Pecan Frosting.

Coconut Pecan Frosting Recipe Ingredients

This Coconut Pecan Frosting Recipe is made with evaporated milk, egg yolks, vanilla, chopped pecans, sugar, butter, and shredded coconut.

This was by far the most amazing recipe; cake and frosting! I can’t thank you enough! German chocolate is my husbands favorite and he requested this for his birthday for here on out. I was sure to write everything to a T for the future!

– Nicole

How To Make Coconut Pecan Frosting

1. To make the frosting, begin by simply heating the milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter, and vanilla in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.

2. Remove the mixture from heat and add in the coconut and pecans. Use a hand mixer to beat the frosting until cool and of spreading consistency.

3. Use as a topping on German Chocolate Cake or another dessert as desired.

How To Use This German Chocolate Cake Frosting Recipe

While cakes and cupcakes might be the most obvious option. It also makes a great filling for whoopie pies or even as a topping for German Chocolate Cookies.

And don’t feel like you have to pair it with chocolate either, coconut and pecans are a combination that would go well with spiced bundt cakes too!

Storing Coconut Pecan Frosting

This frosting will stay fresh for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Since this frosting thickens as it cools, you may find that it is hard to spread straight from the fridge. You’ll likely want to microwave it for 30 to 60 seconds to soften it back up for use.

Technically, this frosting does not need to be refrigerated. However, it will stay fresher much longer if it is. My rule with this frosting is that if I’m not using it right away, it goes in the fridge. If I’m using it immediately on a cake, the cake goes in an airtight container at room temperature where it can be stored for up to 4 days. This is mostly because I don’t like the texture of chilled cake. So it really comes down to personal preference.

How do you make German chocolate frosting thicker?

I wouldn’t want to thicken this frosting much more than it already is based on the recipe directions. However, every stove and cook is different so if you find that it still seems really runny after the suggested cooking time, chances are your heat is a little lower than mine and I would recommend cooking it for a few additional minutes.

It’s also important to remember that this frosting will thicken as it cools, so feel free to place it in a metal bowl in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to see if that helps then use it as desired.

You can also add a couple of tablespoons of powdered sugar to help thicken.

More Delicious Frosting Recipes

• Peanut Butter Frosting – Sweet, creamy peanut buttery perfection!
• Chocolate Frosting – Made with chocolate liqueur!
• Nutella Frosting – Buttercream frosting combines with chocolate and hazelnut!
• Vanilla Buttercream Frosting – Made with only 5 ingredients in just 10 minutes!
• Salted Caramel Frosting – Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies!