I personally make both my cake and my frosting from scratch. This is one cake and frosting that you are not likely to find in a box or can. As a matter of fact, the one time I tasted coconut-pecan frosting in a can, I hated the heavy lard taste. The word "gross" comes to mind.
Unfortunately, store bought cakes or pre-made frosting in a can will make you think you don't like German chocolate cake. But, if you have never tried a homemade German chocolate cake, then you have never tried a real German chocolate cake.
Coconut Pecan Frosting Recipe
You actually make coconut pecan frosting by cooking it on the stove top, like candy. The pan matters. You need a heavy pan that will hold heat. I still use my grandmother's 4 quart Wagner Ware Sydney-O Magnalite pan (4684-P). Do not use a pan with non-stick coating.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk (shake well before opening)
- 1½ tsp. vanilla
- 1½ cups sugar
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 pkg. (7 oz.) Baker's Angel Flake Coconut (2-2/3 cups)
- 1½ cups chopped pecans
DIRECTIONS
1) Finely chop the pecans
2) Beat egg yolks, milk and vanilla in heavy saucepan with whisk until blended
3) Add sugar and butter; cook on medium heat 20 - 25 min. or until thickened and golden brown, stirring constantly
Remove from heat
4) Add coconut and pecans. Mix well
Cool to spreading consistency.
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One note, please don't give up if the frosting is not perfect the first time you make it. Like so many things in cooking, sometimes you need to make it a few times to perfect it with your cookware and stove.
The Brands I Use
I prefer to stick to specific brands, unless a company changes their recipe or goes out of business. I still use the brands that my mother and grandmother used when baking.
Pet Whole Evaporated Milk, 12 ounceCheck PriceMcCormick Vanilla ExtractCheck PriceBaker's Angel Flake Coconut Sweetened 7 OunceCheck PriceFisher Chef's Naturals Unsalted Chopped Pecans - ResealableCheck PricePrepworks by Progressive (Red)Check Price
If you want a Magnalite saucepan like mine, you will need to purchase it in an antique store or secondary market like Ebay. Current day Magnalite is not the same vintage Wagner Ware brand made in Sydney, Ohio. The current pans are made in China of a lighterweight material and is not the Magnalite I recommend. Magnalite Saucepan - 4 quart - 4684-M or 4684-P (-P or -M doesn't matter. They represent the mold used when making)
German Chocolate Cake Recipe will be published separately
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Coconut-Pecan Frosting Recipe for German Chocolate Cake or Cupcakes Written by:
© 2025 Cynthia Sylvestermouse
German Chocolate Cake happens to be my daughter's very favorite cake and the one she requests for her birthday every year. Our family are big fans. It's interesting to know there is a big difference in the taste of homemade, so your recipes are going to be perfect to try come her December birthday. Thanks for the recipe, Sylvestermouse.
ReplyDeletePS: I think my grandmother had one of those Magnalite saucepans back in the day. I recognize the cover.
Well, clearly if it is your daughter's favorite cake, you have been doing something right for many years, Elf! I'm not surprised that your grandmother also had a Magnalite saucepan. Seems like everyone I talk to has seen their grandmother using one. Some of us are fortunate enough to actually have our grandmother's Magnalite.
DeleteI used to bake German Sweet Chocolate Cake often when I was younger. Did you know the name was originally German’s (vs. German) Sweet Chocolate Cake because the cake batter is made with German’s Sweet Chocolate (named after chocolate maker Samuel German)? Although the frosting is more time-consuming yo make than a buttercream, it is essential to this iconic and delicious cake. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
ReplyDeleteYes, I use the German's sweet chocolate in my cake, Margaret. I plan to share the cake recipe next week in a separate review here on Review This Reviews. I started with the frosting recipe here simply because I sincerely think the homemade frosting is worth the time required if your are going to bake the cake. I wanted the frosting recipe already published to link to the cake recipe :)
DeletePerfect! I had a feeling you wouldn’t post the frosting recipe without also sharing the cake revipe. :)
DeleteYou are much more ambitious than me but it sounds delicious
ReplyDelete