Coconut pecan frosting is typical for German chocolate cake, but it complements other cakes, cupcakes, and chocolate brownies. This delicious frosting is essentially custard with the addition of toasted coconut and chopped pecans.


Coconut Pecan Frosting Recipe for German Chocolate Cake

Coconut pecan frosting is the quintessential German chocolate cake frosting, featuring a custard base with chopped pecans and shredded coconut for texture and flavor. Classic coconut pecan frosting is a variation of [German buttercream](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/german-buttercream-recipe) frosting that uses granulated sugar rather than the powdered sugar found in most [American buttercream](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/american-buttercream-recipe) and cream cheese frosting recipes. Egg yolks make a rich, creamy frosting—the perfect accompaniment for homemade [German chocolate cake](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/german-chocolate-cake-recipe).
Coconut pecan frosting is a little different from other frosting recipes. If you haven’t made this style of frosting before, here’s what you need to know:

1. __Chill the frosting before using it__. The first step in making coconut pecan frosting is melting the butter and sugar on the stove. While the frosting is technically usable at room temperature, it benefits from chilling and setting before spreading it on a layer cake. The warm frosting’s texture may be too runny and slide off the cake’s sides instead of spreading evenly.
2. __Toast the coconut and pecans__. Place shredded coconut and chopped pecans on a sheet pan to toast in the oven, or toast them in a skillet on the stove. Toasting the coconut and pecans brings out a toasty, nutty flavor and helps those ingredients retain their crunch in the frosting. Learn how to make [toasted coconut](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/toasted-coconut) at home. Alternatively, capture the flavor of butter pecan ice cream by frying the pecans in butter and omitting the coconut.
3. __Use the frosting for layer cakes or cupcakes__. Coconut pecan frosting is the traditional choice for a German chocolate layer cake, but you can use it in so many ways. Make individual servings by spreading this frosting on German chocolate cupcakes. If you’re not a fan of chocolate, pair the frosting with your favorite vanilla cake recipe (or use store-bought cake mix) instead. 

Coconut pecan frosting is typical for German chocolate cake, but it complements other cakes, cupcakes, and chocolate brownies. This delicious frosting is essentially custard with the addition of toasted coconut and chopped pecans.


Coconut pecan frosting is the quintessential German chocolate cake frosting, featuring a custard base with chopped pecans and shredded coconut for texture and flavor. Classic coconut pecan frosting is a variation of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/german-buttercream-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/german-buttercream-recipe","linkCopy":"German buttercream","category":null}'>German buttercream</a> frosting that uses granulated sugar rather than the powdered sugar found in most <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/american-buttercream-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/american-buttercream-recipe","linkCopy":"American buttercream","category":null}'>American buttercream</a> and cream cheese frosting recipes. Egg yolks make a rich, creamy frosting—the perfect accompaniment for homemade <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/german-chocolate-cake-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/german-chocolate-cake-recipe","linkCopy":"German chocolate cake","category":null}'>German chocolate cake</a>.

What Is Coconut Pecan Frosting?

Coconut pecan frosting is a little different from other frosting recipes. If you haven’t made this style of frosting before, here’s what you need to know:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Chill the frosting before using it. The first step in making coconut pecan frosting is melting the butter and sugar on the stove. While the frosting is technically usable at room temperature, it benefits from chilling and setting before spreading it on a layer cake. The warm frosting’s texture may be too runny and slide off the cake’s sides instead of spreading evenly. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Toast the coconut and pecans. Place shredded coconut and chopped pecans on a sheet pan to toast in the oven, or toast them in a skillet on the stove. Toasting the coconut and pecans brings out a toasty, nutty flavor and helps those ingredients retain their crunch in the frosting. Learn how to make <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/toasted-coconut' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/toasted-coconut","linkCopy":"toasted coconut","category":null}'>toasted coconut</a> at home. Alternatively, capture the flavor of butter pecan ice cream by frying the pecans in butter and omitting the coconut. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Use the frosting for layer cakes or cupcakes. Coconut pecan frosting is the traditional choice for a German chocolate layer cake, but you can use it in so many ways. Make individual servings by spreading this frosting on German chocolate cupcakes. If you’re not a fan of chocolate, pair the frosting with your favorite vanilla cake recipe (or use store-bought cake mix) instead. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Making Coconut Pecan Frosting

German-Style Coconut Pecan Frosting Recipe

Coconut pecan frosting is typical for German chocolate cake, but it complements other cakes, cupcakes, and chocolate brownies. This delicious frosting is essentially custard with the addition of toasted coconut and chopped pecans.