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Coconut Pecan Frosting

Sep 11, 2022 · 19 Comments

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Collage with a close of coconut pecan frosting on top of a German chocolate cake topped with toasted pecans on top, coconut pecan frosting oozing from between 2 layers of cake on the bottom, and the words "coconut pecan frosting" in the center

Make this Coconut Pecan Frosting recipe from scratch for your favorite German Chocolate Cake! This decadent frosting is gooey and sweet like caramel and loaded with coconut and pecans.

Coconut pecan frosting on top of a German chocolate cake topped with toasted pecans

Coconut Pecan Frosting

No Southern baker should be without this amazing Coconut Pecan Frosting recipe. It is super sweet, super gooey and loaded with pecans and shredded coconut.

To make it, you use the same method as you would for custard, and it tastes like caramel mixed coconut and the crunch of pecans. Totally decadent and sweet and rich, and complements chocolate amazingly well.

What Do I Use Coconut Pecan Frosting for?

Coconut Pecan Frosting is a gooey frosting, with the consistency of a cross between custard or pudding and caramel.

Traditionally, it's used to fill and frost a German Chocolate Cake.

What to Do with Leftover Coconut Pecan Frosting

Here are some more ways to use it!

  • German Chocolate Cookies
  • German Chocolate Brownies
  • German Chocolate Pie
  • Parfait
  • Mini tarts
  • Chocolate pudding topping
  • Sandwiched between 2 cookies
  • Ice cream topping
Close up of coconut pecan frosting oozing out from between 2 layers of chocolate cake

Does Coconut Pecan Frosting Need to be Refrigerated?

If I made it ahead and haven't yet used it on a cake or other baked good, I prefer to keep it in the refrigerator. (Remove it for an hour to come to room temperature before spreading)

If it's on a cake or cookies, etc., it can stay covered at room temperature for up to 5 days.

How to Thicken Coconut Pecan Frosting

This frosting is made kind of like a custard or pudding. The thickeners are the egg yolks and cornstarch. Simply whisk the frosting base on the stove unless it reaches desired thickness. As long as you cook it for long enough on the stove, you shouldn't need anything else to make it thicker.

More Delicious Frosting Recipes

  • Caramel Frosting - gooey spreadable frosting that's made with a homemade caramel base
  • Marshmallow Frosting - gooey, sticky, sweet, and vanilla, just like a marshmallow
  • Strawberry Buttercream - made with real, fresh (or frozen) strawberries!
  • Whipped Mascarpone Frosting - light, fluffy, and delicately sweet!
  • Pipe-able Cream Cheese Frosting - a cream cheese frosting that is thick enough to hold its shape when piped onto cupcakes!

Coconut Pecan Frosting Video

Coconut pecan frosting on top of a 3 layer German chocolate cake

Coconut Pecan Frosting

Make this Coconut Pecan Frosting recipe from scratch for your favorite German Chocolate Cake! This decadent frosting is gooey and sweet like caramel and loaded with coconut and pecans.
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Coconut Pecan Frosting
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 235kcal
Author: Michelle
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 2 cups evaporated milk
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 cup butter sliced
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 cups shredded sweetened coconut
  • 2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, add evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, and butter. Cook stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes or until butter melts and sugar dissolves.
  • Continue cooking and stirring constantly until mixture becomes a light caramel color, is bubbling, and reaches a pudding-like thickness, about 12-15 minutes.
  • Remove pan from heat. Stir in vanilla, coconut, and pecans.
  • Transfer mixture to a bowl. Let stand, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes or until cooled and spreading consistency.

Notes

This recipe makes enough to fill and frost a 3 layer cake, about 6-7 cups.
  • Toast the coconut for more flavor. Place on a baking sheet, and bake at 325ยฐF for about 5-10 minutes until golden. Then mix into frosting as called for in the recipe.
  • Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week. Leave out for an hour and stir well before spreading onto a cake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 283IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chike Robinson says

    September 15, 2022 at 11:50 am

    Delicious

    Reply
  2. Dannii says

    October 11, 2022 at 7:58 am

    Oh I want to put this on everything! Anything with pecans is good with me.

    Reply
  3. Toni says

    October 11, 2022 at 8:15 am

    My kids really loved it!! I couldn't wait to make it again!

    Reply
  4. gunjan says

    October 11, 2022 at 8:19 am

    loved the combination of coconut and pecan in frosting. My kids licked up the entire batch as is. It came out super nice.

    Reply
  5. Tayler Ross says

    October 11, 2022 at 8:25 am

    I've made several german chocolate cake frostings, but this one is by far my favorite!

    Reply
  6. Jovita says

    October 11, 2022 at 8:50 am

    Amazing! A delicious frosting and an easy to follow recipe. Family loved it. Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  7. Claire says

    November 09, 2022 at 8:31 am

    Delicious. First time making coconut and pecan frosting and we all loved it!

    Reply
  8. Katherine says

    November 09, 2022 at 8:39 am

    This frosting is exactly like the one on then German Chocolate Cake that I get at restaurants!

    Reply
  9. Aimee Mars says

    November 09, 2022 at 8:46 am

    The frosting is one of the best parts of a German Chocolate cake and this one looks like the ultimate indulgence. I'm going to bookmark this recipe!

    Reply
  10. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    November 09, 2022 at 8:54 am

    This frosting would be great on cupcakes and loaf cakes too. I think I could just eat it with a spoon!

    Reply
  11. Savita says

    November 09, 2022 at 9:36 am

    This turned out soo well, loved the recipe so easy to make and follow too.

    Reply
  12. Elisa says

    July 24, 2023 at 2:28 pm

    Love this Coconut Pecan Frosting recipe, never seen this before, I will make it soon. Thanks for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  13. Kechi says

    July 24, 2023 at 2:39 pm

    I love everything coconut and am interested to try this one. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. shashi at savory spin says

    July 24, 2023 at 11:12 pm

    Oh my lawd- forget the cake, I can eat this with a spoon!

    Reply
  15. Ned says

    July 24, 2023 at 11:19 pm

    After living in the south when I was young, I developed a love of everything pecan. This frosting was delicious! Thank you!

    Reply
  16. Anjali says

    July 25, 2023 at 3:07 am

    This frosting was perfectly sweet, delicious and decadent! I actually used it as a topping for chocolate cupcakes and it worked out great!

    Reply
  17. Ava M says

    July 25, 2023 at 3:48 am

    How decadent! Looks absolutely delicious, can't wait to try it.

    Reply
  18. Beth says

    July 25, 2023 at 2:02 pm

    This is amazing! I will be slathering this frosting on everything in sight!

    Reply
  19. Sandy says

    August 20, 2023 at 4:22 pm

    Perfect amount of frosting. The instructions were awesome. The frosting has great flavor and texture. This recipe is a keeper for sure!

    Reply

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