German Chocolate Pie Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

This decadent dessert is everything you love about German chocolate cake in one easy-to-make pie! Layers of chocolate custard, perfectly sweet shredded coconut, and salted pecans all in a golden, flaky crust. It’s the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table!

With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what desserts you want to serve alongside your meals! You really can’t go wrong with a delicious homemade pie. A few more incredible recipes to try are this banana cream pie, pistachio cream pie, and coconut cream key lime pie. They’re all creamy, delicious, and so easy to make!

Coconut Pecan German Chocolate Pie Recipe

German chocolate is one of my absolute favorite cake flavors. There’s just something about the combination of milky chocolate and sweet, shredded coconut that is to die for! When I first tried this pie I was blown away. It’s everything you love about German chocolate cake but in creamy, decadent pie form! (To be honest, I never thought that anything could be better than traditional German chocolate cake, but I think this pie has it beat.)

Honestly, this German chocolate pie is everything you could want from a dessert. It’s rich and chocolatey while still being light and fluffy! You’re going to absolutely love the custard filling! And did I mention that the topping is made with shredded coconut, butter, brown sugar, and condensed milk? It’s every dessert lover’s dream and the perfect remedy for a sweet tooth.

German Chocolate Pie Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to put this insanely good pie together! German chocolate pie uses a lot of standard baking ingredients to make your life a little easier! Note: exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

• Cooked Pie Crust: You can use a premade crust or make your own from scratch using my recipe here. Note: since this is a cream pie and there’s no baking involved, you’ll want to make sure your crust is blind-baked and not raw.
• 9-Inch Pie Pan:A deep pan is best for this recipe!

Filling

• Milk Chocolate Chips: Give the custard its perfect chocolatey flavor. You can also use dark chocolate chips if you’d like!
• Butter: Adds richness and makes the texture of the filling extra creamy!
• Sugar: Granulated sugar makes the filling nice and sweet.
• Cornstarch: Helps the filling solidify.
• Whole Milk: Adds creaminess and makes the chocolate filling nice and smooth.
• Egg Yolks: Bind all of the ingredients together and make the filling smooth and silky!
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla makes everything better! Add some in for a deeper, sweeter flavor.

Topping

• Brown Sugar: For smoky, sweet flavor.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Coats the flaked coconut in creamy, fluffy goodness!
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: You know the dessert is good if condensed milk is an ingredient. This adds flavor and a creamy texture to the topping!
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor.
• Large Egg Yolks: Help all of the topping ingredients to bind together.
• Sweetened Coconut Flakes: A must-add for that classic German chocolate flavor!
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract if you can for the best flavor.
• Salted Pecans: Chopped pecans add a boost of flavor and texture. You can also use chopped walnuts if you’d like!

How to Make German Chocolate Pie

This German chocolate pie is so easy to make! It’s also perfect for making ahead – this gives it plenty of time to chill and set so you can cut it into nice, uniform pieces!

To Make the Filling:

1. Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a microwave, melt the chocolate and butter together in 10-15 second increments, and stir until smooth.
2. Prepare Hot Mixture: In a saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch, whisk in the whole milk, and cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
3. Add Egg Yolks: Mix a small amount of hot mixture with egg yolks in a separate bowl. Once incorporated, add the egg yolk mixture to the rest of the hot mixture in your pan and constantly whisk, bringing it to a gentle boil. Mix for two additional minutes, and remove from heat.
4. Combine: Whisk in your chocolate butter mixture and vanilla, and stir until well combined. Pour into your baked pie crust. Let set up completely before putting the topping on.

To Make the Topping:

1. Sugar and Cream Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, heavy whipping cream, and sweetened condensed milk. Bring mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, and stir until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
2. Add Egg Yolks: Whisk egg yolks and a small amount of hot mixture in a separate bowl. Once combined add it all back into the saucepan and return to the stove. Cook for 2-3 minutes on medium heat, constantly stirring until it thickens. Remove from heat.
3. Mix In Remaining Ingredients: Add in your vanilla, shredded coconut, and salted pecans. Cool for 10 minutes then pour over the top of your chocolate filling.
4. Garnish: (Optional) Top with additional shredded coconut and chopped pecans.