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

October 13, 2020November 3, 2023

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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.

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.

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

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