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
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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.
These are awesome! Will definitely make again
We loved these german chocolate brownies! Thank you!
I was getting ready to make these and realized the brownie mixes that I bought are for an 8×8 pan not 9×13. What did you use?
I get irritated when I forget to look at that, but I think it should stand out more on the box.
Hi Gwen! The 8×8 should work fine! I’ve used both.
I am going to make these brownies for father’s day. What size pan did you use? Thanks so much for a great recipe.
I used a 9×13 pan! :)
2 boxes of brownie mix in one 13×9? How long did you bake it?
Hi Kelley! Yes, I used 2 boxes, but I can’t remember how long they baked for. I would add 10 minutes to what the package says and then check it with a toothpick and add time accordingly after that.
I heart this recipe! Yummy- my favorite cake made into brownies. Thinking this looks like a good Sunday afternoon project with my girls. Visiting from Under the Table and Dreaming.
These are heavenly!!! Thanks so much for sharing!
German chocolate cake is my favorite! We loved this version!
Two of my favorite things in 1! Holy Cow, so good!
These look dangerous! But oh so yummy!
Wow -those sound delicious! Does it get any better than German chocolate and brownies?
Yum. I live german chocolate cake.
Those look fabulous! I’ll definitely have to try those next time I get a hankering for chocolatey goodness! :)
Ooh, those look delicious!!
Hugs from Germany,
Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}
I’m not sure what’s German about them ;-), but these look so extremely delicious, that they just made number one on my “recipes I must try” hit list ;-). Love your blog, you are such a great source of inspiration! Thanks for sharing!
Mmm those look so good! I love that kind of frosting also. But something I can eat by itself is cool whip.
Oh, My. Gosh. Those look like heaven. Definitely gonna have to try them!
Oh My Goodness!! Those look DELICIOUS!! I think I just might have to make those for dinner (uh, I mean dessert) tonight. :)
These look awesome! German chocolate is mine and J’s fave!!!! Thanks for sharing!