Fudgy, chewy and easy to make German chocolate brownies are made with a chocolate brownie base, sweet caramel layer and topped with a gooey coconut pecan frosting.
If you love indulgent brownies for dessert as much as we do, try these Oreo brownies, frosted brownies and peanut butter brownies, too!
Table of Contents
Best German Chocolate Brownies
So I came up with the most AMAZING dessert recipe a few weeks ago….German chocolate BROWNIES! My family loves German chocolate cake and German chocolate cookies, but mainly because of the frosting! This frosting is DIVINE!
These German chocolate brownies combine my love of brownies, chocolate, caramel and coconut frosting. Using a dressed up brownie mix gives you time to focus on the homemade coconut frosting, which really is the star of the show in this super rich and chocolaty treat.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: These are a delicious twist on a classic and perfect for when you don’t have time to make a cake or want something more than just a homemade chocolate brownie.
- Flavorful texture: Chewy fudgy brownies with a gooey topping studded with pecans for crunch. These brownies have it all!
Ingredients Needed
Jump to the printable recipe for the full ingredients and instructions!
- Brownies: The first layer starts with a classic brownie base. I used a box of my favorite brownie mix, but you can make homemade brownies from scratch. Adding semi sweet chocolate chips gives it even more chocolate flavor.
- Caramel: Next comes a layer of gooey caramel. All you need to do is melt the caramel bits until smooth, then spread the caramel over top of the cooled brownies.
- Coconut pecan frosting: The last layer is a rich and divine coconut pecan frosting. It’s perfectly thick and delicious and tastes amazing paired with the chocolate and caramel. Top the icing with drizzle of melted chocolate and a sprinkle of chopped pecans.
How to Make German Chocolate Brownies
- Make: Bake your brownies according to package or recipe directions.
- Melt: Place your caramels in a bowl and melt down until smooth.
- Drizzle: Add that caramel evenly over the cooled brownies.
- Cook: Combine the coconut frosting ingredients and cook according to directions.
- Spread: Gently spread the frosting over the top of the caramel.
- Slice: Cut the brownies and serve.
Baking Tips
- After you bake the brownies in the oven, check them with a toothpick to make sure they come clean.
- Use fresh flaked coconut to make the coconut pecan frosting. It definitely makes a difference! Toast the pecan for more depth of flavor.
- For my chocolate lovers: drizzle chocolate on top of the brownies (before the caramel) or add chocolate chips to the brownie batter like I do in my cake mix brownies recipe.
- Make sure each layer has cooled completely before adding the next on top.
- I recommend refrigerating the brownies after frosting and adding toppings. They are easier to cut when hardened. A plastic knife works best to cut them.
- The frosting makes a lot, so you can also bake in a 9×13″ pan and use 2 boxes of brownie mix to have more squares.
- Sprinkle the tops with a little bit of flake sea salt for to cut the sweetness.
You may also love cake mix brownies and these brownie mix cookies!
More Delicious Brownie Recipes
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
German Chocolate Brownies
Video
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 (18-ounce) box brownie mix , plus ingredients on box
- 1 cup caramel bits
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
Coconut Pecan Frosting
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- ½ cup butter , or margarine
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups shredded coconut , make sure it's fresh
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Bake brownies according to package in a 9×9-inch pan. Let cool.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, cook caramel bits and heavy creamy for 30 second increments, stirring between each, until melted. Drizzle over brownies. Let cool.
Coconut Pecan Frosting
- In a large saucepan, stir together butter, egg yolks, sugar, milk, and vanilla over medium heat 10 minutes, or until thickened (make sure to stir consistently). Add coconut and pecans.
- Spread frosting over top of caramel. Top with melted chocolate and pecans, if desired. Chill before slicing into 16 squares.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Make sure to beat your eggs and sugar well. Also, make sure to not over bake, so the center stays soft.
Use milk instead of water and add extra chocolate chips in the batter. Make sure to not over bake them and also to add a frosting on top.
The term can refer to chocolate made in Germany, baking chocolate or a German chocolate cake. The coconut pecan frosting on top of these brownies makes them German chocolate brownies.
You can store these brownies covered at room temperature for 3-5 days. They can be stored in the refrigerator up to a week. To freeze, wrap uncut brownie in foil and plastic wrap and store in the freezer up to 3-4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
They look good, but I was thinking a brownie with chocolate chips, some coconut, chopped pecans and the caramel bits, then the frosting. Thanks for sharing. I love reading recipes. They might not always what I want, but they give me ideas.
I am going too make them
I so love these brownies. They are definitely my go-to recipe!
Seriously the best German Chocolate Brownies EVER! Even better than my grandma used to make.
So glad you enjoyed them :)
I had never heard of these before but I am glad I found them since I love coconut and pecans and they were delicious.
Except I have been making this recipe for years. I don’t think this is your creation.
I have Kraft caramel cubes. Can I just cut those up into small pieces and use them instead of the caramel bits? And 2nd question, what brownie mix do you usually use for this?
Yes you can just melt them (no need to cut them). I like to use Ghirardelli :)
Loved these! I’m a German chocolate anything aficionado. Can the caramel be swirled into the brownie mix like a turtle brownie?
I haven’t tried it that way, but I don’t see why not. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
These brownies were amazing! I wish I made more!
The recipe is easy to follow and so delicious! Love the caramel flavor in the brownie. It’s definitely one of my favorite dessert recipes.
Last question….can you use sweetened shredded coconut? That’s what I am finding in store.
Yes definitely :)
Loved these german chocolate brownies! We used the homemade version you linked it the post. It did take a little while, but worth the effort!
German Chocolate is my husband’s favorite. We loved these bronwnies!
Yes, a 9×13 will work great! :)
We love this recipe and will make it often!. I made this twice and both times the sides were crispy. How do I back 2 boxes of brownies in a 9×13 pan and not have it get hard around the edges?
You could try lowering the temperature to see if that helps! :)
I’m the brownie making queen in our family and I’m always looking for a great new brownie recipe and I can tell you – THIS IS IT. We like the chewy texture of the brownie and the melted caramel on top makes it even better. I follow the recipe exactly and they turn out perfect every time.
These are amazing! The frosting is definitely a labor of love but worth it in the end. It took me 40-50 minutes on medium heat to get the frosting to a thicker consistency, so don’t give up on it! I will make these again!
I made this yesterday and took it to work. The taste is great! Everyone loved them.
I can not eat Coconut this there a replacement for that? Thank you Sandy
Hi Sandy! I’m not sure what a good substitute would be, but you could leave it out! It may just be a little thinner.