German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

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Granny’s German Chocolate Cake Icing is an old fashioned recipe that withstands the test of time. The homemade frosting is made on the stove-top and is truly the “icing” on the cake. Top your favorite chocolate cake or maybe just eat it with a spoon.

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Granny’s German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe

Forget the cake, I’m eating this German Chocolate Frosting on a graham cracker, over my ice cream, on a spoon or maybe just right off my finger. Granny knocked it out of the park with this one.

I found this recipe on a weathered recipe card in my Grandma’s wooden recipe box, but it actually is my other Granny’s recipe. I love how their lives were entwined through the marriage of my parents.

Now, I’m not afraid to admit that I used a boxed German Chocolate Cake. There’s no shame in that. But it would be an absolute, downright atrocity to cheat with a pre-made German Chocolate Frosting.

In all honestly, the recipe is simple and easy to follow. Granny even noted the amount of time it normally takes (12 minutes) to get thick on the stove-top. Bless you, Granny. It upsets me when a recipe gives no indication of time – is it 2 minutes or 20? It sets me into a state of panic when this happens.

German Chocolate Frosting

This German Chocolate Frosting is fabulous. I’m a big lover of chopped pecans and coconut. The combination over a chocolate cake is ammmmmaaaazing. If you bring this to your next pitch-in, you might actually get applauded as you leave.

The process of making the frosting is simple. Heat evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks and margarine in a medium-sized saucepan until boiling. Be sure to stir constantly until the icing turns that traditional light shade of brown and becomes thicker.

Turn off the heat, add the vanilla, shredded coconut and chopped nuts, and voila – the best German chocolate icing, ever.

Preparing a German Chocolate Cake

This is the easy part. Go out and purchase a German Chocolate Cake mix, and follow the directions on the back of the box. Or prepare your favorite German Chocolate Cake recipe.

It should go something like this.

  1. Pre-heat oven; grease the bottom and sides of the cake pan or cupcake tin.
  2. Mix dry cake mix, water, oil and eggs in large bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium speed or beat vigorously by hand. Pour batter into prepared pan.
  3. Bake as directed until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  4. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

Ingredient List for German Chocolate Icing

The ingredients for our grandma’s German Chocolate Icing are simple, but when cooked together, they become magical.

Evaporated Milk

Sugar

Egg Yolks

Margarine (stick form), room temperature

Pure Vanilla Extract

Chopped Pecans

Shredded Coconut

How to Make Coconut Pecan Frosting

Step by Step Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, heat over medium heat evaporated milk, sugar, eggs (yolks only), margarine to a boil.
  2. Stir mixture constantly at a low boil until thickened and the color changes to light caramel color, approximately 12 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla, chopped nuts and coconut.
  4. Spread over cooled cake.

For the full instructions for Old Fashioned German Chocolate Cake Icing, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Should German chocolate frosting be refrigerated?

Yes, it is recommended to refrigerate German chocolate frosting. A coconut-pecan frosting recipe contains evaporated milk, egg yolks, and shredded coconut, which can spoil if left at room temperature for too long. Storing the frosting in the refrigerator will help maintain its freshness and extend its shelf life. Cover the frosting tightly or transfer it to an airtight container before refrigerating. When you’re ready to use it again, you can let it come to room temperature before spreading it on your cake.

German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (6)

Recipe FAQs

  • This coconut pecan frosting is made on the stove-top. All you need is a medium sized saucepan and a whisk.
  • Substitute butter for margarine, if desired.
  • Prepare your cake ahead of time, and let it cook before icing.
  • Make these German Chocolate Brownies using this icing instead of a cake!
  • I prefer chopped pecans, but walnuts could work in a pinch.

More Old Fashioned Dessert Recipes

Real Lemon Meringue Pie

Grandma’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Grandma’s Perfect Apple Crisp

German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (10)

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.

German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (11)

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5 from 2 votes

Granny’s German Chocolate Cake Icing

Granny's German Chocolate Cake Icing is an old fashioned, withstand the test of time type of recipe. The homemade frosting is made on the stove-top and is truly the "icing" on the cake. Top your favorite chocolate cake or maybe just eat it with a spoon.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time12 minutes mins

Total Time17 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: coconut pecan icing, easy german chocolate cake icing, german chocolate cake frosting, german chocolate cake icing, german chocolate frosting, german chocolate icing, granny’s german chocolate cake icing, homemade coconut pecan icing, old fashioned german chocolate cake icing

Servings: 12

Calories: 290kcal

Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup margarine
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cups shredded coconut, sweetened
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks and margarine to a boil.

    German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (12)

  • Cook, stirring constantly until the icing thickens and turns a light brown color, approximately 12 minutes.

    German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (13)

  • Remove from heat; add vanilla, coconut and pecans and whisk until completely incorporated.

    German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (14)

  • Spread over a cooled German Chocolate Cake.

    German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (15)

Notes

  • This coconut pecan frosting is made on the stove-top. All you need is a medium sized saucepan and a whisk.
  • Substitute butter for margarine, if desired.
  • Prepare your cake ahead of time, and let it cook before icing.
  • I prefer chopped pecans, but walnuts could work in a pinch.
  • A boxed cake mix is perfect for this recipe.
  • Or, make our triple chocolate cake instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 459IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg

German Chocolate Cake Icing Recipe - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

FAQs

What is the frosting on German chocolate cake made of? ›

3. Make the German Chocolate Frosting: Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts and coconut.

Why won't my German chocolate frosting thicken? ›

If your frosting isn't thickening, there are a few possible reasons: insufficient mixing, incorrect ingredient ratios or having too much liquid are the most common. You can try gradually adding thickening agents like cornstarch or powdered sugar as a last resort.

What are 2 differences between chocolate cake & German chocolate cake? ›

German chocolate cake uses a particular kind of baking chocolate as its base, one which has a milder, sweeter profile thanks in part to lecithin, a fatty substance derived from egg yolks. In contrast, classic chocolate cake recipes often use cocoa powder or darker chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor.

How to improve store bought German chocolate frosting? ›

How to Upgrade Store-Bought Frosting
  1. Cream cheese. Beat in 8 ounces of room temperature plain or flavored cream cheese. ...
  2. Whipped cream. Mix equal parts freshly whipped cream and frosting. ...
  3. Butter. ...
  4. Peanut butter or other nut butter. ...
  5. Nutella. ...
  6. Cookie butter. ...
  7. Jam, preserves, or marmalade. ...
  8. Lemon curd.
Feb 14, 2024

Why does German chocolate cake taste different? ›

The name German chocolate cake is a little deceiving as it is not actually a German dessert and traditionally the cake is a lighter colored cake with a mild chocolate taste and the entire cake is usually covered in coconut pecan frosting.

What is German buttercream made of? ›

Regardless of who calls it what, German Buttercream is a combination pastry cream plus butter. Ultimately, what you need to know is this frosting is a two-part process of making the pastry cream, then whipping it with butter.

How do you fix runny chocolate frosting? ›

If you are making a chocolate frosting, adding more cocoa powder is a great option for thickening it. The technique is basically the same as if you were thickening with powdered sugar, but you want to use a smaller quantity of cocoa powder than icing sugar. Try adding just 1 to 2 teaspoon at a time.

How to thicken up icing without powdered sugar or cornstarch? ›

Heavy cream Add about a ¼ cup (55 mL) of heavy whipping cream into your frosting mixture. Then, use a stand or hand mixer to whip the cream within the frosting, which may help improve the consistency.

What is a fun fact about German chocolate cake? ›

The "German" in German chocolate cake is the work of an American man, not a European country. It is named after Sam German, who created the formula for a mild dark baking chocolate bar for Baker's Chocolate Company in 1852, which was later renamed Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate. Let's go back to June 13, 1957.

Do they eat German chocolate cake in Germany? ›

Hence the name German chocolate cake, right? However, the popular dessert isn't from Germany at all. Instead, it originated in the country that loves it the most: America.

What is the difference between Devil food cake and German chocolate cake? ›

A devil's-food cake is richer and darker, and has a strong cocoa flavor. German chocolate (a favorite here in south Texas) usually is a lighter-colored cake with a flavor of mild chocolate. True German chocolate cake has delicious pecan-coconut frosting, while the devil's food usually has a dark fudge frosting.

How to make store-bought frosting taste like bakery? ›

How do you make Duncan Hines frosting taste homemade? Whip the frosting with half a block of cream cheese and an extra cup of powdered sugar and a few drops of the appropriate flavoring extract. If you're using chocolate, add cocoa powder. If you want a richer buttery flavor add a few tablespoons of butter as well.

Does whipping canned frosting make it better? ›

Whip it good.

Dump your canned frosting into a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer or into the bowl of an electric mixer and whip it up. Without even adding any other ingredients, this will aerate the frosting for a fluffier consistency.

Can you add powdered sugar to store-bought frosting? ›

Thicken it with powdered sugar: Need frosting that can be piped onto a cake? Thicken store-bought frosting by mixing in powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. Whip it until fluffy: To make frosting fluffy, it needs to be aerated.

Why is it called German chocolate frosting? ›

In fact, the name comes from American baker, Samuel German, who developed a type of dark baking chocolate in 1852. The baking chocolate was then named Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate in honor of German.

What is the difference between buttercream and German buttercream? ›

For American buttercream, you'd replace the pudding with a base made from a ton of powdered sugar and a splash of cream, and for the German buttercream you'd replace the pudding with a basic custard made with egg yolks and milk.

Does Duncan Hines make coconut pecan frosting? ›

Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Duncan Hines Creamy Coconut Pecan Frosting, 15 oz.

Does frosting made with evaporated milk need to be refrigerated? ›

Evaporated milk – This makes the frosting extra creamy. You can use whole milk in place of the evaporated milk, however you will need to refrigerate the frosting if you are not eating it immediately.

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