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stack of german chocolate brownies with bite taken out

German Chocolate Brownie Recipe

Reminiscent of your favorite cake, this German Chocolate Brownies recipe is decadent and topped with a delicious and sweet coconut topping!
2.97 from 87 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, German
Keyword: german chocolate brownies, homemade brownie recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 376kcal

Ingredients

For the Brownies

  • 1 cup salted butter , cut into tablespoons
  • 4 ounce German chocolate baking bar*
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour sifted

For the Topping

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup salted butter cut into tablespoons
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 1/2 cups toasted coconut
  • 1 cup toasted pecans , chopped
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Melted chocolate melting wafers for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray, set aside.
  • Place the cut butter into a large pot or dutch oven, begin to melt the butter over medium-low heat.
  • Break up the chocolate bar into squares and add them to the pot, stirring occasionally, melt the chocolate with the butter until smooth.
  • Take off the heat and whisk in the sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time and whisk them in fully before adding the next.
  • Whisk in the vanilla and salt. Add the flour and stir it in until fully combined with no dry patches. Do not overmix.
  • Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 35-38 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
  • Place on a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Once the brownies are cool, make the topping. Place the sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and egg yolks into a medium-sized saucepot.
  • Place over medium-low heat and stir together. Stir occasionally until the butter has melted.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer while still stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. Once it hits a simmer and thickens slightly take it off the heat, for approximately 12 minutes.
  • Add the coconut, pecans, and vanilla. Stir it in to combine. Continue to stir until it becomes thickened and spreadable, approximately 5 minutes.
  • Pour the frosting on top of the brownies and smooth it out. Let it cool completely.
  • Cut into bars and drizzle with melted chocolate if using.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Notes

If you can’t find or don’t have German baking chocolate you can use semi-sweet or unsweetened chocolate baking bars. 

Nutrition

Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 678IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg