Take your brownie game to the next level with our rich, gooey, decadent, Homemade German Chocolate Brownie Bites!
Made-from-scratch German Chocolate Brownie Bites are a phenomenal mini dessert recipe, and they’re easy to make in just 15 minutes using pantry staples. Moist, classic brownies, baked in mini-muffin pans, and topped with an incredible, caramelized vanilla coconut pecan frosting are destined to become a favorite!
Homemade Doesn’t Have to Mean Hard!
I love this German Chocolate Brownie recipe for two reasons:
1) The feel and flavor. Oh my. These little gems are so creamy, rich and chocolatey – they check off all the boxes for my sweet tooth! And
2) They’re really easy to make! Whip up the brownie batter from pantry ingredients in the same amount of time it takes to stir up a boxed mix (and they’re SO much better!). Then, while the brownies are in the oven, make the caramelized coconut pecan frosting in a skillet. That’s it – you’re done! And you have luscious little brownie bites for snacks, desserts, garnishes for ice cream – whatever your heart desires!
Other Recipes German Chocolate Pecan Recipes
- German Chocolate Cookie Bars have the same flavors as the brownie bites, but you can cut bigger pieces!
- Candied Pecans just make everything better, don’t they? This is an easy recipe for making a batch to use in various recipes or enjoy by the handful!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients for Brownies: The pantry basics to get you started on this scrumptious recipe include granulated sugar, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and flour.
Wet Ingredients for Brownies: Butter, eggs, and vanilla will finish off the batter – these brownie bites are incredibly easy to make!
Frosting: To make the German chocolate cake frosting, you’ll need evaporated milk, room temp butter, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla. Coconut and chopped pecans give the frosting its rich flavor and chunky feel!
How to Make German Chocolate Brownie Bites
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray two mini-muffin pans with non-stick spray. Set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl, add butter and sugar. Microwave until the butter is melted. Add in the cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla, and stir to combine.
STEP TWO: Whisk the eggs, one at a time, until the batter is smooth. Finally, stir in the flour until just combined. Don’t overmix.
STEP THREE: Spoon the batter into each mini muffin cup. Bake for 13-15 minutes until the tops are set.
STEP FOUR: Remove the brownies from the oven and leave them in the pan until they are cool enough to touch. Using a measuring spoon, melon baller, or the back of a wooden spoon, make an indentation in each warm brownie to create a cup shape. Transfer the brownies to a wire rack to cool.
STEP FIVE: While the brownies cool, combine the egg yolk, evaporated milk, and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Add the cold butter in chunks and cook over medium heat, constantly stirring, until creamy and thick, about 10 minutes. Stir in the vanilla, salt, coconut, and pecans.
STEP SIX: Fill each brownie with one teaspoon of the German chocolate cake frosting from the saucepan. Top each brownie bite with a pecan half, or serve as is.
Tips for Success
- You can make the frosting ahead of time if you want. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- Toasting the pecans and coconut takes a few extra minutes, but really brings a depth of flavor to this brownie recipe.
- If you use a boxed brownie mix, substitute milk for the water for a richer, more homemade taste and texture.
Should I Store Leftover Caramel Pecan Brownies in the Fridge?
German Chocolate Brownie Bites are best left at room temperature. Seal them in an airtight container and they will remain fresh and flavorful for 5-7 days. These “turtle” brownie bites can also be frozen for later use. Seal them in a freezer bag, then wrap the bag with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Set out on the counter for 8 hours to thaw and enjoy!
What IS German Chocolate?
You might be surprised to learn that German chocolate has nothing to do with the country, but was named after its creator, Samuel German. It was labeled “German’s Sweet Chocolate Cake” and, as a cake, is famous for its mild chocolate flavor and signature coconut-pecan frosting, which resembles chocolate caramel pecan “turtles” in taste. German Chocolate has evolved from just cakes into cookies, pies, fudge, ice cream, and more!
Other Beautiful Brownie Batter Recipes!
- Brownie in a Mug
- Peppermint Brownie Brittle
- Brownie Batter Dip
- Cosmic Brownies
- Iced Lunch Lady Brownies
- Brownie Pancakes
*This post originally posted on 06/07/2015.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Frosting
- 1 egg yolk
- 3 ounces evaporated milk
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar packed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- 48 pecan halves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the cups of two mini muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Add the butter, evaporated milk, and sugar to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until the butter has melted, and then whisk to combine. Stir in the cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs one at a time until smooth. Mix in flour just until combined.
- Use a cookie scoop to portion 1 tablespoon of brownie batter into each mini muffin tin cavity. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until tops are set.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and let them sit in the pan until they are cool enough to touch. Using the back of a melon baller, a teaspoon, or the back of a wooden spoon, make an indentation into each brownie to create a cup shape.
Frosting
- Combine the egg yolk, milk, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Add butter in chunks and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thick, about 10 minutes. Stir in vanilla, salt, coconut, and chopped pecans.
- Carefully place 1 teaspoon of German chocolate cake frosting into the center of each brownie. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for later.
Shari Kelley says
These look so delicious! My mother-in-law made me a German chocolate cake for my birthday last year, and I still dream about that frosting. I love that these are bite size and made with a brownie base. Thank you for sharing your recipe!