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German Chocolate Brownies

Alright, picture this: the moment you pull these warm, fudgy brownies out of the oven, the irresistible scent of toasted coconut and caramelized pecans fills your kitchen. It’s like the perfect marriage of rich chocolate and that classic German chocolate cake frosting, but in a brownie form that’s way easier to share (or not). I seriously can’t get enough of the creamy, gooey coconut-pecan topping sitting atop a dense, chocolatey base — it’s a game-changer. Whether you’re a longtime German chocolate fan or just looking for a brownie that stands out at your next bake sale, this recipe nails the sweet spot every single time. Trust me, your taste buds are about to throw a party.

Quick Facts

Yield: Serves 9–12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the Main Dish:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder

For the Coconut-Pecan Topping:

1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large egg yolks, beaten
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 ½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp vanilla extract

How I Make It

Step 1:

First up, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it—this helps get those brownies out smoothly. In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until glossy. Then, beat in your eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla.

Step 2:

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Gently fold the dry mix into the wet batter just until combined—don’t overmix or your brownies might turn out cakey instead of fudgy.

Step 3:

Pour the brownie batter evenly into your prepared pan. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes; the edges should be set but the center still a bit soft. This gives a nice chewy texture underneath the topping later.

Step 4:

While the brownies bake, start your topping by combining evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly—this is key!—until the mixture thickens and is golden (about 12-15 minutes). If you don’t stir enough, you’ll risk curdling or burning.

Step 5:

Once thickened, remove from heat and immediately stir in the coconut, pecans, and vanilla. Mix well and smell that buttery, toasty goodness fill your kitchen!

Step 6:

Take the brownies out after 20 minutes and quickly spread the warm topping evenly over them. Return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, just enough for the topping to set but stay gooey around the edges. Let the whole pan cool completely before slicing—it helps those layers hold together beautifully.

Variations & Tips

Swap pecans for walnuts if that’s what you have on hand—still delicious.
If you don’t have evaporated milk, whole milk with a tablespoon of flour makes a decent substitute.
For extra fudginess, replace half the flour with almond flour.
Use a toothpick to test brownies; it should come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter before adding the topping.
Toast your coconut and pecans lightly in a dry pan for deeper flavor before mixing them into the topping.
Want more chocolate punch? Stir in mini chocolate chips to the batter before baking.

How I Like to Serve It

This is pure comfort food, so I love serving these brownies slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top—hello, molten magic! They also make a standout addition to holiday dessert tables or casual weekend get-togethers. Don’t be shy about wrapping a few in parchment for friends; they’ll thank you (and maybe ask for the recipe!).

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back that ooey gooey texture.

Closing: This recipe always works because it balances a rich, chewy brownie with a luscious topping that’s anything but ordinary—your kitchen will smell like heaven, and your crowd will be begging for seconds.

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