We love making decadent and amazing desserts. Some of our most favorite ones are Berry Fluff Pie, also the Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars. I also recommend you try this homemade Key Lime Pie and silky smooth No-Bake Chocolate Pie.
German Chocolate Pie
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This German Chocolate Pie is rich, chocolaty with the right balance of sweetness to it. Just like this German Chocolate Cake, it is the perfect combination of chocolate and coconut-pecan filling that makes this pie one of the best. The flavors are irresistible, and it is perfect to enjoy pretty much any day of the year.
This pie is also quite festive looking. So, you can definitely make it for birthday parties, holidays, or special events. If you love chocolate, there is no better dessert out there.
This pie requires simple ingredients and a little bit of time to prepare. Although this is an easy recipe to make and follow, it does require some time to prepare so plan accordingly.
How To Make German Chocolate Pie?
For the exact measurements and steps, please see the recipe card below. However, the general steps are as follows:
- Prepare the Crust Pie: the pie has an easy No-Bake Oreo Crust, that is made with just two ingredients.
- Make the Chocolate Mixture: Microwave chocolate and butter until melted and set aside. Combine the cocoa powder, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the heavy cream. Prepare the egg yolks, and add the cornstarch mixture gradually to the eggs, whisking constantly. Eventually returning the mixture on the stove. Then, add the melted chocolate and pecans to the mixture. Once all ingredients have been combined, pour filling into crust-lined plate. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until completely cooked.
- Coconut Mixture: Cook butter, condensed milk and egg yolks over medium-low heat. Stir in coconut flakes and chopped pecans. Let the mixture cool then pour over top of cooled chocolate layer.
- Serve: After all the layers have been assembled, refrigerate the pie for 3 hours. It will firm up nicely. Enjoy as is, or with a cup of tea or coffee!
Can I Make It In Advance?
Absolutely! If you want to make it ahead simply follow the recipe steps below. Then, let the pie completely cool prior to storing it. Once cooled, wrap it with plastic, and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Can I Freeze German Chocolate Pie?
Yes! Prior to freezing, ensure the pie is cooled. Then transfer it to a freezer-safe dish and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight on the counter prior to serving.
Recipe Tips:
- If you prefer the cake sweeter, adjust the sugar content in it.
- Do not overcook the pie. It should be slightly soft when pulled out of the oven. It will firm up as it sits and cooled.
- Because chocolate is the main ingredient here, I strongly recommend using a high-quality one. Feel free to use more or less cocoa % based on your preference.
- Also, if you like pecans, feel free to add some extra. Similarly, if you are allergic to pecans or not a fan, simply do not use them.
- You can also decorate it with some sprinkles, or top it with some melted caramel.
Other Delicious Desserts To Try!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – so easy and fun!
Caramel Apple Cheesecake – perfect Fall dessert.
Cake Mix Cookie Bars – when you are in a rush.
Lemon Cheesecake – a classic!
Classic Peach Galette – so pretty.
German Chocolate Pie
Ingredients
No-Bake Oreo Crust:
- 3 cups oreo crumbs
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
Chocolate Filling:
- 8 ounces German sweet chocolate chopped
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder I used Dutch cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 ¼ cup pecans chopped
Coconut-Pecan Topping:
- 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter
- 2 egg yolks lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- 1 ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
Garnish:
- Whole pecans
- Chocolate sauce
Instructions
No-Bake Oreo Crust:
- In a medium-size bowl combine melted butter with Oreo crumbs and mix until fully combined.
- Using a measuring cup, press the cookie crumbs mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 1/2 inches pie pan. Place in the fridge for 20-30 minutes for the crust to harden.
Chocolate Filling:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add chocolate and butter to a medium, microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted. Stir until smooth, and add vanilla extract to the mixture.
- Add sugar, cocoa powder and cornstarch to a small size saucepan and place it over medium heat.
- Once sugar is melted, whisk in heavy cream and cook stirring until the mixture thickens and is bubbly, for about 5-8 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add room temperature egg yolks to a small bowl. Whisk in a small amount of the CREAM mixture into the egg yolks, continuing to add small amounts. You don't have to add ALL the mixture to the eggs, just enough to temper them, so they don't curd when combined with the hot mixture.
- Add the EGG mixture to the remaining CREAM mixture and place the pan over medium heat. Whisk constantly and bring to a gentle boil, cook stirring for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir in melted chocolate mixture until fully combined.
- Fold in the chopped pecans.
- Pour chocolate mixture into the prepared crust.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until set.
- Cool completely before adding the Coconut-Pecan Topping.
Coconut-Pecan Topping:
- Add sweetened condensed milk, butter and lightly beaten egg yolks to a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook stirring until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, coconut flakes, and chopped pecans.
- Cool the mixture, then spread it on top of the chocolate layer.
- Garnish with whole pecans.
- Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
- Serve drizzled with chocolate sauce.
Video
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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Question: how does sugar and cornstarch and cocoa powder melt in a pan with no liquid!?! Making this now and that step makes no sense. Is it supposed to be added to the melted chocolate and butter mixture?
Hi Lindy, the sugar melts combining with the cocoa powder and cornstarch. The chocolate mixture gets mixed back to step 7.
Cooking 3 dry ingredients in a heated pan did absolutely nothing. I had to add half a cup of cream to get the sugar (and other two dry ingredients) to start melting/cooking together. Then I added the rest of the cream. Also, boiling the mixture made the fat in the cream split. I had to make a slurry of 2 teaspoons (more) of corn starch and 1/4 cup of cream to get the mixture stabilized.
After adding the chocolate mixture, I only cooked the mixture until it was the same smooth consistency, then I removed it from the heat. Didn’t want anything splitting again.
Tips: There is no need to boil anything in this recipe, especially since it will be cooked in the oven.
I also added an extra half cup of coconut to the topping, it was too liquidity without it.
Overall, it’s a delicious pie (just have to tweak it), and I thought it’d be easier than making a German Chocolate cake, but not so much. I still prefer it over the cake, so thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the tips, Lindy! We appreciate you sharing them with us 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this pie!
This seems like a good idea, but there are so many issues, I’m not sure I’ll try it…if you boil and simmer cream, it will just burn…if you don’t fully cook the coconut layer, you’ll have raw eggs…and no one else has tried it or commented…so that’s a concern…so I may rework it and let Pinterest know how it is later…
Hi Allen, we would love to hear how this recipe turns out for you, it worked great for us as written. The cream is simmered while whisking which keeps it from burning while allowing it to thicken perfectly! Also, the eggs in the coconut layer are cooked with the sweetened condensed milk so that shouldn’t be an issue with the topping. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!