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Homemade Coconut Pecan Frosting

June 17, 2021 by Sweet Ordeal 10 Comments

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Homemade Coconut Pecan Frosting, the perfect topping for German chocolate cake, and it’s even better when made from scratch. This classic recipe is easy to make right on your stove top and you can make it while the cake is in the oven. The sweetness from the coconut with the savory of the pecans is a timeless treat.

Sauce pan with cooked German Chocolate Cake icing.

It’s not just for cakes, though. I just posted a recipe for German Chocolate Chip Squares where you can substitute Homemade Coconut Pecan Frosting instead of buying canned.

This recipe makes a little more than the canned, however; it makes 2 3/4 cups, which is great for either a 2-layer cake, or for 24 cupcakes. 

In my pictures you’ll see I made a 6″ 2-layer cake, plus 16 cupcakes. It was the perfect amount, which I love, and I didn’t scrimp on even one cupcake. Truth be told, I love a little cake with my frosting, if you know what I mean. 

If it’s the coconut you love, I also have a recipe for Macaroon Brownie Topping with a similar recipe using coconut flakes that you put over brownies.

A cake and cupcakes frosted with same homemade recipe.

Making Homemade Coconut Pecan Frosting

In a medium to large sauce pan add the evaporated milk, sugar, brown sugar, egg yolks, and butter. Bring to a low boil, then allow to simmer on medium-low for about 15 minutes. It needs to thicken up, which it will, you just have to be patient. It takes about 15 minutes or so and you should stir it often. 

Let’s go back to the sugars, if that’s ok. The recipe calls for 1/2 cup sugar AND 1/2 cup brown sugar. To make your life easier, you can mix and match here.

In other words, if you prefer one sugar over the other, use 1 cup of that one.

Sometimes my brown sugar is hard as a rock and I don’t always know it until I go to use it. It’s nice that it doesn’t change the recipe too much by using all regular sugar, or all brown sugar. 

Homemade Coconut Pecan Frosting

Once the frosting has thickened up, and I always let it simmer a few minutes more just in case, then you can remove it from the heat. 

Add in the vanilla extract, coconut flakes, and the pecans. Mix it together and let it sit to cool.

When can I start frosting? 

Once it’s reached room temperature, it’s ready to use.

If the frosting is still warm, it could make your cake soggy… too cold, it’ll be hard to spread.

A bowl and a cupcake with frosting made from scratch.

For more frosting ideas, check out these other recipes:

  • Mocha Frosting
  • Pumpkin Pudding Frosting
  • Orange Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
  • Dark Chocolate Cake
  • Chocolate Banana Pudding Cake
Print
3.65 from 84 votes

Homemade Coconut Pecan Frosting

A classic recipe and the standard for German chocolate cake.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cooling time30 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: from scratch
Yield: 24
Calories: 140kcal
Author: SweetOrdeal.com

Materials

  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cups sweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions

  • Combine milk, sugars, egg yolks, and butter in sauce pan. Simmer on medium-low until thickened. (approx. 15 minutes)
  • Remove from heat and add vanilla, flakes, and pecans.
  • Allow to cool to room temperature before frosting. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 178IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Follow me on Pinterest, and please feel free to rate the recipe or leave a comment below.

I love hearing from all of you, you all have such great ideas that inspire me.

Homemade Coconut Pecan FrostingHomemade Coconut Pecan FrostingCopyright © Sweet Ordeal. All content and images are copyright protected. Do not use any images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, make sure to re-write the recipe in your own words and only list ingredients making sure to link back to this post for the original recipe and directions.

Filed Under: All Recipes, Frosting, Uncategorized Tagged With: comfort food, homemade

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Previous Post: « German Chocolate Chip Squares
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10 Comments
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Morgan
8 months ago

I’m excited to make this! Can I prepare it ahead of time?

1
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Author
Sweet Ordeal
8 months ago
Reply to  Morgan

Hi Morgan…happy you’re excited about it. I wouldn’t make it too far in advance, maybe a day. Keep it tightly sealed in the refrigerator if you do make it ahead, but it should be room temperature before trying to frost a cake with it. It won’t spread too well if it’s cold. Hope this helps.

0
Reply
Diana
7 months ago

5 stars
It was a very good recipe just like my mother use to make which is what I was hoping for

0
Reply
Author
Sweet Ordeal
7 months ago
Reply to  Diana

Awesome…it’s what I was hoping for, too.

0
Reply
Anubis7914
5 months ago

5 stars
This was the 75 servings recipe. I think it really turned out nice.

26932A00-7EE2-4534-AC29-66F5FDDC3A01.jpeg
0
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Author
Sweet Ordeal
5 months ago
Reply to  Anubis7914

Just beautiful, well done. My mouth is watering thinking about it. Thanks for sharing.

0
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Penny
3 months ago

Does the cake have to be stored in the fridge?

0
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Author
Sweet Ordeal
3 months ago
Reply to  Penny

Nope, once frosted you can keep the cake in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

0
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Connie
1 month ago

I forgot and added the vanilla along with the butter and sugars
. Will it harm the frosting?

0
Reply
Author
Sweet Ordeal
1 month ago
Reply to  Connie

Not at all, it should be fine. I forget too sometimes, but I’ve never noticed a difference in taste.

0
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Hello...and welcome. I love sharing a great recipe and I hope you find your next favorite right here. I'll be sharing recipes from appetizers to desserts, easy and moderate, some are even healthy and low-calorie. There's also a few dog treat recipes for any dog lovers out there.

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