German Chocolate Cake Brownies
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Why choose between brownies and German chocolate cake when you can have both? These German Chocolate Cake Brownies start with a boxed brownie mix and get topped with a thick layer of homemade coconut pecan frosting.
Why I Love These German Chocolate Brownies with Brownie Mix
One of my favorite dessert shortcuts is taking a basic box of brownies and giving it an upgrade. I’ve made dozens of different versions over the years, and my Buckeye Brownies are still one of my favorites. I usually start with Duncan Hines Fudgy Brownies because they’re my favorite base for all those fun additions.
I’m also a huge fan of coconut in desserts, like my Coconut Raspberry Poke Cake. But pair coconut with pecans and a buttery, caramel-like frosting? Even better! These brownies have all the flavors I love about German chocolate cake, without the hassle of baking and frosting an entire cake.
Ingredients
- Fudge brownie mix – An 18-ounce box of brownie mix is the base for this recipe. I use Duncan Hines Fudgy Brownies for their rich chocolate flavor and fudgy texture. You’ll also need the eggs, oil, and water called for on the box.
- Evaporated milk – Be sure to use evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk.
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness to the coconut pecan frosting.
- Egg yolks – You’ll need three large egg yolks, not whole eggs.
- Granulated sugar and brown sugar – The combination gives the frosting its sweetness and caramel-like flavor.
- Fine sea salt – Helps balance the sweetness of the frosting.
- Chopped pecans – Add crunch to the frosting. Chop them into small pieces for easier spreading and slicing.
- Sweetened shredded coconut – Use sweetened coconut for the classic German chocolate cake frosting.
- Vanilla extract – Adds flavor to the coconut pecan frosting.
How to Make German Chocolate Cake Brownies
- Bake the brownies – Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and bake the brownies according to the package directions. Let them cool completely before adding the frosting.
- Cook the frosting – Combine the evaporated milk, butter, egg yolks, both sugars, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously for 8–10 minutes, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Add the coconut and pecans – Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped pecans, shredded coconut, and vanilla until everything is evenly coated.
- Frost and chill – Spread the warm coconut pecan frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the frosting firm up before slicing.
Variations and Substitutions
There aren’t a lot of variations for this recipe, and honestly, if you don’t like coconut or pecans, German chocolate cake brownies probably aren’t for you! But there is one easy adjustment you can make depending on how much frosting you like.
- Use a 9×13-inch pan – The coconut pecan frosting is very generous when spread over brownies baked in a 9×9-inch pan. If you prefer a thinner layer of frosting, bake the brownies in a 9×13-inch pan instead, following the brownie mix package directions for that pan size. You’ll get the same flavors with a different brownie-to-frosting ratio.
Tips for Success
- Let the brownies cool completely – Adding warm coconut pecan frosting to hot brownies can make them too soft and difficult to slice.
- Keep stirring the frosting – Stir continuously while the frosting cooks, scraping the bottom and sides of the saucepan to prevent scorching and keep the eggs from scrambling.
- Watch for thickening – The frosting should be noticeably thicker and coat the back of a spoon before you remove it from the heat. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Don’t skip the chilling time – Refrigerate the frosted brownies for at least 2 hours so the coconut pecan topping can firm up. This makes them much easier to cut into neat squares.
- Use the parchment paper to lift – Leave some parchment paper hanging over the sides of the pan so you can lift the chilled brownies out before slicing.
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More Ways to Upgrade Boxed Brownies
Here are a few more ways to turn basic brownies into something a little more fun.
Did you make these German chocolate cake brownies with box mix? Please leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments below.
German Chocolate Cake Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (18-ounce) box fudge brownie mix I used Duncan Hines
- ingredients listed on the box typically eggs, oil, and water
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup of pecans chopped
- 1 1/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
Instructions
- Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. Mix and bake the brownies according to the package directions. Allow them to cool completely in the pan.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the evaporated milk, butter, egg yolks, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously and scraping the bottom and sides of the pan, for 8–10 minutes, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the chopped pecans, shredded coconut, and vanilla until evenly combined.
- Spread the warm coconut pecan frosting evenly over the cooled brownies.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the frosting has firmed up. Use the parchment paper to lift the brownies out of the pan, then slice into squares.
Notes
- Stir the frosting continuously while cooking to prevent scorching or curdling. The frosting should be noticeably thickened before adding the coconut and pecans.
- Store brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
- Freezing is possible, although the coconut pecan frosting may change texture slightly after thawing. Wrap individual brownies tightly and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.