How to make coconut frosting for german chocolate cake

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.

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.

Ingredient List for German Chocolate Icing

Evaporated Milk

Sugar

Egg Yolks

Margarine (stick form)

Vanilla Extract

Chopped Pecans

Shredded Coconut

How to Make Coconut Pecan Frosting

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, heat over medium heat evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, margarine to a boil.
2. Stir constantly at a boil until thickened and the color changes to light brown, 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. 

Notes About Easy German Chocolate Cake Frosting:

• 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.

More Old Fashioned Dessert Recipes:

Real Lemon Meringue Pie

Grandma’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Grandma’s Perfect Apple Crisp

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.

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 mins

Cook Time12 mins

Total Time17 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

• 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

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

  

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

  

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

  

• Spread over a cooled German Chocolate Cake.

  

• 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. 

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