A simple, nutty cooked frosting recipe perfect for German chocolate cake. Rich, buttery Coconut Pecan frosting is the perfect alternative to traditional frosting.

Coconut Pecan Frosting

If you’re looking for a non-traditional frosting recipe for a chocolate cake or cupcakes, this rich and buttery coconut pecan frosting is a must-try.

This coconut pecan icing is traditionally a German chocolate cake frosting. It has a buttery nut flavor and is rich and smooth, almost caramel-like instead of a fluffy buttercream texture. It would be delicious on any chocolate dessert such as brownies, cookies, cupcakes or cakes, or even simple flavors such as shortbread or sugar cookies.

Heavy Cream or Evaporated Milk?

You can use either in this recipe. I keep heavy cream in the fridge so that is what I use. You can substitute evaporated milk if you’d like.

Sweetened Coconut or Unsweetened Coconut?

You can use either. I tend to keep unsweetened coconut because that is what I have on hand. But you can use sweetened and not worry about changing the recipe at all. I also like to run the coconut through the food processor to make it extra fine. Even my kids who don’t like the texture of coconut go crazy for this frosting when the coconut is chopped small.

Make Ahead Frosting

Be sure to plan ahead for this cooked frosting. It needs time to cool completely before frosting your cake or cupcakes. After the frosting comes to room temperature, store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.