German Chocolate Cake with Homemade Icing
My husband’s 33rd birthday was this weekend, and his absolute FAVORITE cake is German Chocolate Cake. I must admit that I don’t make this cake often, because I am not a huge fan of coconut. Neither are the kids! Because it was his birthday I let him win. Gotta let him choose every once in a while right?
This cake would be heavenly, for me, if I could just leave off the coconut. I would love all of that caramel goodness! It’s not the flavor of coconut that bothers me, but the texture. However, if you are a lover of coconut, cake and caramel type frosting, then you will love this German Chocolate Cake. You can use a store bought German Chocolate Cake mix, to simplify, but this frosting is way better than canned frosting. This recipe comes from my mother-in-law. Hubby’s favorite!
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/3 cups coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Combine milk, sugars & butter in a saucepan. Bring to a full boil, stirring constantly.
- Remove pot from heat (may look curdled). String a small amount of mixture into the egg yolks (to temper), then add back into the mixture.
- Return sauce to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, coconut and nuts. Let cool to a spreading consistency.
Tracey McPeters says
German Chocolate cake is my favorite as well. I never get if for my birthday because my family doesn’t like coconut either!
Emily Lyon says
I have a piece of some that is leftover, if you want to come get it! 😉
cakes southern sydney says
A friend referred me to your site. Thank you for the details.
Denise says
I would LOVE to make this German Chocolate icing….but…I’m not seeing anything in the box above except this: *#ingredients# & 1. #instructions#
Am I “missing something” here? And why the hash-tags?
Thank you 🙂 and btw, I *love* your blog! 🙂
Emily Lyon says
Thanks Denise! Not sure what happened but I’m fixing it now!
Denise says
THANK YOU!! I made this yesterday evening and wanted to let you know it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for!! My Mom made her from scratch (as I called it…”a little of this…a little of that…a whole LOT of those” kind of recipes – Lol!) and trying to get her to actually write them down, including her recipe for the coconut/pecan icing for her German Chocolate cake, was harder than making the cake – Lol – and your recipe is the closest I’ve found!! It’d going to get printed-off & go to my “Keeper” file!! Lol! Again, thank you for re-doing the recipe! 🙂 Merry Christmas!!
Emily Lyon says
So so happy you found a recipe like your mom’s!!
mary ellett says
When I use coconut in recipes, I make sure to use really good brand like angelflake, especially in the can it’s more tender then I use a knife and chop it up even more, most people who don’t care for coconut, like it better this way
Mattie Hutchison says
I just made this cake and even more impressive the homemade icing. I bake A LOT and I am 64 years old and I hate to say it this is my first time making homemade German Chocolate Icing. Your recipe was Awesome. The only thing I would elaborate on more is tempering the eggs. I’m sure that some new cooks may not know what tempering is. just a thought. Anyway this was a 5* hit.
Emily Buys says
I’m happy to hear it!