An easy, from scratch, fudgy brownie is baked into a tart pan and topped with a classic coconut-pecan German frosting for a decadent dessert you won’t be able to resist!
In This Post
It was my birthday last week and that makes me an Aquarian. And like all water-bearing astrological believers, that means I have an affinity for chocolate.
I know! I didn’t know that was an astrological trait either. But just look it up online. That fact is sure to be attributed as truth out there somewhere. Or at least…it is now.
I get it from my mom. We’re both chocolate lovers. I can pass all day long on vanilla cupcakes and caramel dripping anything. But slip a piece of chocolate in front of me, and I melt.
So it makes complete sense that when the stars align, this Aquarian’s all-time favorite birthday tradition is a toast of German chocolate flavored anything and everything. Cake. Jars. Heck, toss me a bite size ALMOND JOY bite-size bar and look at me go all weak in the knees like a lovelorn 13 year old who just set eyes on her crazy crush.
My one birthday tradition has always been my mom’s German Chocolate Cake. It’s our timeless classic that is as synonymous with my birthday as the off-tune singing that helps the candles hopefully, eventually, blow out. There are more and more every year.
Last year I took over my mom’s GCC tradition and made this to mark the occasion. This year I put a new twist on my favorite with this rich, ultra chocolat-ey brownie pie covered in a sweet gooey frosting of coconut and pecans.
HERSHEY’S chocolate has been a tradition in both my mom’s and my own kitchen ever since I can remember, just like my German chocolate cake for each and every birthday. Because HERSHEY’S chocolate has always been made with quality ingredients like fresh milk from local farmers and high quality cacao beans that are sourced safely and from only the best suppliers, it’s level of high standards over the past 100 years has never wavered.
Watch this video to learn more about the timeless traditions of Hershey.
The recipe is a mash-up of three chocolate classics that have simply created a brand new tradition. The first is one I discovered on the HERSHEY’S Kitchens site, because who knows chocolate better than Hershey? The next is one from Barefoot Contessa, a recipe I’ve made several times after seeing it on her cooking show 943 times. And the third classic is my mama’s recipe, because her frosting is the one I’ve always had and is the one I will forever crave.
Oh my, my, my. This brownie pie. I may never go back to cake. German chocolate in any form is my timeless tradition. What’s yours?
About the Recipe
This brownie is exceptionally rich, dense and chocolate flavored. I used HERSHEY’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips for a rich flavor thanks to its higher cocoa content than milk chocolate.
I used this tart pan with a removable bottom to form my pie. I love it because it’s non-stick and the brownie pie pops right out, making it exceptionally easy for cutting.
Plan on allowing time for this brownie to sit and set after baking, preferably overnight. Baking the pie so it’s just barely set gives it an exceptionally fudgy flavor but allowing it to rest is what makes the consistency just right.
If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Like These:
- German Chocolate Ice Cream
- German Chocolate Cake
- German Chocolate Cheesecake
- German Chocolate Banana Bread
- German Chocolate Cookie Cups
- German Chocolate Brownies in a Jar
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #foodiecrush.
German Chocolate Brownie Pie
Ingredients
For the Brownie Pie
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter ¾ of a stick
- 3 cups HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips 18 ounces
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup chopped pecans
For the Frosting
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- ½ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
For the Brownie Pie
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a 9 ½-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray and lightly flour the pan, shaking to remove excess.
- Melt the butter and chocolate chips in a glass or metal bowl over a pan filled with 1 inch or so of simmering water. Stir until the butter and chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool.
- Beat the eggs, sugar, instant espresso and the vanilla extract in a stand mixer until blended. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and blend to combine. In a smaller bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and kosher salt and then add to the bowl of the stand mixer and mix just until combined. Stir in half of the chopped pecans and pour into the prepared pan. Top with the rest of the chopped pecans.
- Bake for 34-45 minutes or until the top begins to crack and the middle is somewhat set but still soft. The pie will deflate somewhat as it cools.
- Top the brownie pie with the frosting. Remove from the tin and serve cake at room temperature.
For the frosting
- Add the yolks to a small saucepan and beat with a hand mixer until yolks thicken and begin to ribbon, about 2-3 minutes. Add evaporated milk, sugar and vanilla and mix. Add butter and bring to medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes or until mixture becomes golden brown and thickens. Remove from the heat and add the coconut and pecans. Cool to room temperature and frost your pie, cake or cupcakes..
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Have a great day, and make something good.
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Mary Meister
Can you substitute unsweetened shredded coconut for the sweetened variety? It’s just what I happen to have on hand. :)
Hayley
Hi Mary! You could, but the icing will be noticeably less sweet.
Ivaire
Yesss delicious…but for me without chocolate
Kristin
Excited to try this brownie pie! Is the batter supposed to come out pretty thick – not exactly “pour-able”?
Thank you!
Yes, it comes out pretty thick, so it’s totally delicious when it bakes :)
Ana
A friend of mine loves german chocolate cake so I thought I would give your german chocolate brownie pie a go. The pie received rave reviews from the birthday girl and our friends at work. Thanks for the recipe!
Ana, so glad you and your friends enjoyed it, and of course best wishes to the birthday girl!
Jenni
I made this for a friend for her birthday last week and it was awesome in every way. No crumb of cake left behind!
Sabrina B.
lovely pie (cake?)! If you’re going with chocolate it might as well be super rich, nice recipe, thank you and belated happy birthday!
Betty
This brownie pie is amazing ! I have some food allergies so the adaptions were to substitute oat flour for regular flour. Used coconut milk from the can in place of sweetened condensed milk…it was perfect! Very rich dessert! This recipe is a keeper!
Oh I like your idea of using coconut milk for even more coconut flavor. Thank you Betty.
Lindsay
I have to say that this is one of the desserts that I always come back to. It is so good! The friends that I have made it for are hooked now also. Fantastic recipe :)
Shirley
Could a person use a regular brownie mix and then put the frosting you posted
I haven’t tried that but you could and let us know how it works out.
Brenda Garcia
This looks incredibly yummy! I want to make it for me daughter’s class so wondering whether an 8 x 8 or a 9 x 9 pan would work best and would the time in the oven be the same or would that need to be adjusted.
Kim
Just made the crust tonight-except in a springform pan bc I don’t have a tart pan. Hoping it turns out great for Father’s Day tomorrow! My FIL’s favorite dessert is German chocolate cake so we’ll see if he gives it the 2 thumbs up!
Serina oneal
Do you have to use the espresso powder?
No, you don’t have to add the espresso powder but it does enhance the chocolate flavor. I’ve used instant coffee granules before too, if you have those on hand.
Kim
If you use regular coffee do you use the same amount
Laura
Looks yummy!! Just not a fan of Hershey’s chocolate due to the soy from China in it!
Jeniece Stanfield
can’t wait to try this. I have been searching for a good frosting but this sounds even better
Cathy
This looks heavenly. Like you I love German Chocolate cake and even German Chocolate cheesecake. Today is my birthday so I can’t wait to make this delicious looking pie. Thank you so much for posting the recipe.
Nita Dievert
looks so delicious. German Choc is my favorite cake dessert. Can I use a regular baking dish or pan?
Yes, you definitely could. I just like the shape of the tart pan, and with the removable bottom it makes it so easy to serve.
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
Amazing! It combines two of my favorite things! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
This is my kind of pie, love the German chocolate topping!
Barrie
I don’t know why I have never made myself a GCC for my own bday! I love pecans. I love coconut. I love chocolate. It is on my to-do for this year! Thx for the great recipe and beautiful pics! Too bad I am a Virgo….um, August!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
German chocolate cake is my favorite ever! Combine the flavors with brownies and you created an epic dessert!
Patti
Looks like we have a new, delicious family tradition. Ahhhhh chocolate!
Buffy Hillis
What kind of pan can you use if you don’t have a Tart Pan ?
You could use a 9-inch pie tin.
Buffy Hillis
I don’t have a Tart Pan , can you use a regular pie pan?
Suz
I use a regular pie pan lined with foil and then two layers of heavy duty plastic wrap, yes it can be baked at 350. After you take it out of the oven and it cool, th efoil will lift straight up and I usually place mine in a sealable pie carrier to protect it. HTH !
Lining the pie tin (if you’re using one that doesn’t have a removable bottom) is the key. Thanks for sharing your tips, very helpful to many, I’m sure. Happy baking!
Alex
Beginner here…so forgive the ignorance please —
WHOA—Plastic wrap can be oven-ed at 350 and not melt???
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste
OH EM GEE!!!! THIS IS MY ULTIMATE DESSERT! EVER… OF ALL TIME… FORVER!
Annalise @ Completely Delicious
I’ve been dying to see this pie. It turned out awesome!
Sarah | Broma Bakery
Channeling my inner Noah Calhoun: If you’re an Aquarian, I’m an Aquarian.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
This looks off the charts, Heidi. German Chocolate was always my favorite too! Looking forward to making this!
Jina @ Pink Piccadilly Pastries
This looks fabulous!! Can’t wait to try it!!
Natalie | Paper & Birch
Happy Belated Birthday! I’m with you, I could pass up vanilla anything, but chocolate…. oh heck no! Definitely going to save this one to try!
Thank you, and I couldn’t agree more!
Auntiepatch
German Chocolate ANYTHING is my favorite treat and always has been. This will be my next baking project. Thanks!
Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life
I’ve never had German Chocolate anything! Why oh why hasn’t this delicious looking trend made it Down Under. Guess it’s my duty to introduce it :)
This brownie pie is something my family is going to go crazy for, although none of us are Aquarians….
Auntiepatch
NEVER?!?!?
You won’t be disappointed, I promise! You definitely need to break that German Chocolate nut!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
Mercy this looks amazing! So much deliciousness in one recipe! Love!
Yolonda
This is very appealing! I may have to make it for Easter! Pinning!
Jeff Winett
Possible typo? In the batter, I see no amount of coconut in the ingredients, yet the directions have you mix in coconut and nuts. Excited to try this, but would love to know the amount of coconut that goes into the batter itself. Thank you,
Jeff
Yes! I just noticed it too. I got ahead of myself with the frosting ingredients :) Fixed!
Julie
Can the espresso be omitted?
SUre, you can leave it out Julie. It’s there because espresso or coffee brings out even more of the chocolate flavors. But you can skip.
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
Ahhhh german chocolate…..Something I can’t resist. The fact that you’ve morphed it into a brownie instead of going the traditional route is extremely exciting to me, because brownies are infinitely better than cake. More chocolate, more love.
Kathleen @ yummy crumble
Who needs cake! This looks incredible. Im a chocolate fiend as well, but I didn’t know it was astrological. That’s so neat. My birthday is next week. Go Aquarians! Happy belated bday by the way
Kate
This looks intense! But in the best possible way :-) I made a brownie pie a few years back and my friends still claim it’s the best thing they ever ate – that stuff has a way of getting to people’s hearts!
kelley
This is so good it hurts! I have a little something for you that I forgot to give you when I saw you last week! Let’s catch up soon to eat brownie pie.
Cookbook Queen
Are you even kidding me with this??? I have to make this for my husband’s birthday!! German chocolate cake is his favorite — with pie a close second.
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden
I’m not sure if the same cake you are talking about, but I just can’t the image of the cake the Barefoot Contessa made for her anniversary on the show! Mind blowing. And yet, I think I love this German chocolate cake about the same, it looks fab! Perfect for your birthday, I’m sure you enjoyed mightily. I love the chocolate and nuts combo, I find I actually am able to eat a little less cake with the packed protein of the nuts! (Or am I just nuts?!?)