This coconut pecan frosting is easy to make from scratch with simple ingredients! It’s sweet, buttery and the perfect topping for German chocolate cake and more desserts.

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German Chocolate Cake Frosting
If you’ve never tried coconut pecan frosting, also known as German chocolate cake frosting, you’re in for a treat. It has a rich caramel flavor and is filled with sweet coconut and crunchy pecans, making it a truly decadent topping.
Unlike buttercream or cream cheese frosting, it’s cooked on the stovetop. A mixture of evaporated milk, sugar, butter, and egg yolk simmers until thick and golden, creating a sweet and buttery frosting that’s perfect for German chocolate cake!
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this homemade pecan studded frosting.
- Evaporated milk: This is milk with the water boiled out of it. It is unsweetened and contributes to the creamy texture.
- Granulated sugar: Because the milk is unsweetened, we need to add a bit of sweetness to the frosting.
- Large egg yolk: Separate the yolk from the white while it’s still cold.
- Vanilla: I use pure vanilla extract.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the amount of salt. You can use salted if that’s all you have. Your finished frosting will just have a slightly saltier taste.
- Shredded coconut: Sometimes I toast the coconut first for another layer of flavor.
- Pecans: I use whole pecans and chop them myself or you can use pre-chopped.
How to Make Coconut Pecan Frosting
This simple recipe is ready to use in just 15 minutes. Just heat and stir!
- Simmer: Simmer evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolk, butter, and vanilla in a small saucepan. Make sure you stir everything frequently, as you don’t want the mixture to catch on the bottom of the pan and burn. Let everything simmer together for 8 – 10 minutes until the consistency has thickened and turned a light caramel color.
- Stir: Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut and pecans.
- Cool: Let your frosting cool slightly before using it to decorate your cakes or cookies. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Drizzle: For added flair, try drizzling some melted semisweet chocolate over the top.
Tips
Here are some tips for making your coconut pecan frosting even more special!
- Toast the coconut for a richer, deeper flavor. Add it to a dry skillet and cook over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until golden brown. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Toasting the pecans enhances their nutty flavor and adds extra crunch. Heat them in a dry pan over medium heat for 2–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Cook the frosting until the liquid evaporates and it turns a light caramel color. It should naturally thicken as it cools, but if it doesn’t, stir in 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar then chill to help it set.
- This recipe makes about 2 cups of frosting. For a 2- or 3-layer cake with frosting on the sides, consider doubling the batch.
Ways to Use German Chocolate Frosting
While German chocolate cake with coconut pecan frosting is a favorite, you can also use it on other baked good!
- German Chocolate Cookies – Add on top of the cookies with a drizzle of chocolate.
- Chocolate Cupcakes – Use as a filling in the center of each cupcake.
- German Chocolate Brownies – Spread on top with melted chocolate and pecans.
- Banana Brownies Recipe – Use in place of brown butter frosting.
- Chocolate Bundt Cake – Spread a layer of frosting on top of the cooled cake.
More Frosting Recipes
Coconut Pecan Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ounces butter (4 tablespoons)
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4-1/2 cup chopped pecans , more as desired
Instructions
- Combine 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 large egg yolk, 2 ounces butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-heat, stirring frequently. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened and turned a caramel color. Be careful not to burn.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup coconut and 1/2 cup pecans. Allow the frosting to cool slightly and thicken.
- Spread frosting on cooled cake, brownies or cookies. Drizzle with semisweet chocolate if desired.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Storage
The frosting will keep up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge, or you can freeze it in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. It’s a great frosting to make ahead.
Allow the mixture to come to room temperature before using it to decorate your cake or cookies.
Beverly Watkins
I made this and it is so easy and delicious. My sister tried it on my brownies and she said it was dangerous,lol
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Yum! Thanks for the review!
Trixie
So easy and so delicious. Thank you for this simple recipe.
Kathleen Cole
Thank you for this recipe. I am making a German Chocolate cake in a 13×9 pan for the holidays. Will these measurements make enough for my cake?
Jamielyn Nye
Yes this will be enough for a 13×9 cake :)
Barbara Lee
Thank you! So easy, so good.
Brenda Silva
Made this recipe because I couldn’t find the pre-made can at stores for the past holidays and I will continue to make or this way from now on. It’s so simple to make and the taste is 100x better. Plus you can control what type of pecans you want and how much too. Love it thanks for sharing recipe!!
Jamielyn Nye
So glad you enjoyed the coconut pecan frosting!
April Grogan
I tried making this frosting for the first time and it was very easy and delicious! I refrigerated it afterwards since I wouldn’t be frosting my German chocolate cake until the next morning and it was the perfect consistency!
Jamielyn Nye
So glad you enjoyed this frosting! Thanks for your review :)
Nellie Tracy
This is my new favorite and go-to frosting recipe. Absolutely delicious!
I Heart Naptime
So happy to hear that!
Gina
I could totally eat this frosting with a spoon! Absolutely delicious!
I Heart Naptime
I know, right?! It’s so good!!