The Best German Chocolate Brownies

If my Turtle Brownies and Coconut Mounds Bar Brownies had a baby, this is what it would look like.

Dense, rich, ultra fudgy brownies topped with a coconut and pecan frosting that’s sweet and full of texture from shredded coconut and pecans.

I’m not sure why the ‘frosting’ on German chocolate cakes or brownies is called frosting when it’s more like a topping, but I’m not about to question the name of something that tastes so good.

I used chopped Fisher Pecans in the topping. Fisher Nuts is the only national brand of recipe nuts entirely without preservatives making them an excellent choice for baking.

The brownies would be a wonderful treat for any mom you’d like to celebrate on Mother’s Day. Check out these Fisher recipes created by celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli.

The brownies are an easy, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that’s as fast as using a boxed mix and they turn out fudgy with zero cakiness.

It’s a brownie base I’ve fallen in love with because it’s easy and always delivers amazing results. Many of the Related Recipes below use the same base.

The frosting takes less than 10 minutes to make.

The hardest part is whisking it continuously but I just considered that a mini arm workout before diving into these decadent brownies that are the best German chocolate brownies I’ve ever had.

The Best German Chocolate Brownies

Yield: one 8x8 pan, 9 to 12 squares

Total Time:about 90 minutes, for cooling

Prep Time:10 minutes

Cook Time:about 20 to 22 minutes

Dense, rich, fudgy brownies topped with a coconut and pecan frosting that’s sweet and full of texture from shredded coconut and pecans. The brownies are an easy, one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that’s as fast as using a boxed mix and they turn out fudgy with zero cakiness. The frosting takes less than 10 minutes to make and tastes so good on top of these decadent brownies that are the best German chocolate brownies I’ve ever had.

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Ingredients:

Brownies

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 6 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used Trader Joe’s 72% Pound Plus Bar)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon brewed coffee (leftover or cold coffee is okay), optional but recommended
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules, optional but recommended
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Topping/Frosting 

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) full-fat evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened and quartered
  • 2 large egg yolks (discard whites or save for another use)
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut flakes
  • heaping 1/2 cup chopped Fisher Pecans, lightly toasted if desired

Directions:

  1. Brownies – Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang and spray with cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
  2. To a large microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, chocolate, and heat on high power to melt, about 2 minutes. Stop to check and stir after 1 minute. Heat in 15-second increments until chocolate has melted and mixture can be stirred smooth. Allow mixture to cool momentarily before adding the eggs so they don’t scramble.
  3. Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, optional coffee, optional espresso granules (neither make brownies taste like coffee and both enhance and round out the chocolate flavor), and whisk vigorously to combine.
  4. Add the flour, salt, and stir until smooth and combined without overmixing.
  5. Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula as necessary.
  6. Bake for about 20 to 22 minutes, or until center has just set and is no longer glossy. A toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Allow brownies to cool in pan on top of a wire rack while you make the topping.
  7. Topping/Frosting – To a medium saucepan, add the evaporated milk, butter, egg yolks, brown sugar, salt, and heat over medium-low to low heat for about 7 to 10 minutes, or until mixture has thickened. Whisk constantly or there’s a high likelihood you’ll end up with scrambled eggs in the bottom of your saucepan. The mixture should be boiling gently while whisking.
  8. Remove pan from the heat, add the vanilla, and whisk to combine using caution because the mixture could bubble up.
  9. Add the coconut, pecans, and stir to combine. Allow topping to cool in pan for about 5 minutes.
  10. Turn topping out over brownies, using a spatula to spread it as necessary.
  11. Allow brownies to cool uncovered for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. I prefer to cover the brownies with foil and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight because they’re much easier to slice when chilled and I prefer the taste when chilled. Brownies will keep airtight at room temp for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I store them in the fridge.

Adapted from The Best Turtle Brownies and Allrecipes

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Related Recipes

The Best Turtle Brownies – Super fudgy and loaded with chocolate, pecans and caramel! So.crazy.good!

Chocolate Coconut Mounds Bar Brownies – Like eating a Mounds candy bar that’s on top of rich, fudgy brownies! Easy and oh so good!

Oreo Cream Cheese Brownies – Fudgy brownies with a layer of cream cheese and tons of Oreos! They’ll be your new favorites!

Andes Mint Brownies – Super fudgy brownies loaded with Andes! Chocolate + mint is the best! Meet your new favorite brownies and so easy!

Salted Caramel Pretzel-Topped Fudgy Brownies – Super fudgy scratch brownies as easy as a mix and the salty-and-sweet combo is irresistible!

Loaded Fudgy Candy Bar Brownies – Perfect for using extra candy you have! There’s no such thing as too much chocolate!

Fudgy Peanut Butter Cup Brownies – Easy, one-bowl, no mixer brownies with a full-size PB cup in every brownie! As fast as using mix and tastes way better!

Salted Caramel and Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars – You’ll never want plain pecan pie again! Caramel and chocolate makes the bars taste amazing!

Homemade Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies – A dead ringer for the real thing and just so good!

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