German chocolate pie brings all the delicious flavors of the popular German chocolate cake into a single pie form. With a rich bittersweet chocolate pudding base topped with toasted coconut and pecans, all encased in a flaky, buttery pie crust, this pie is sure to become a crowd-pleaser. It’s a perfect dessert to enjoy without the effort of baking a layered cake.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• For the crust:

  • 1 refrigerated pie crust (or homemade, blind-baked)

• For the filling:

  • 2 cups half-and-half

  • 4 oz German’s sweet chocolate baking bars

  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 4 egg yolks

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter

• For the topping:

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter

  • 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

  • 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

  • 1/2 cup evaporated coconut milk

  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 4 egg yolks

  • Unsweetened whipped cream (for serving)

Directions

1. Prepare the crust: If using refrigerated pie crust, follow package instructions. If making your own, blind-bake the crust to ensure it is fully baked as this is a cold-set pie.

2. Make the filling: In a medium saucepan, combine half-and-half, German’s sweet chocolate, and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted.

3. Thicken the mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk cornstarch and egg yolks until smooth. Gradually add some of the hot chocolate mixture into the yolks, then pour it back into the saucepan. Stir and cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

4. Finish the filling: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and butter until melted. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and allow it to cool.

5. Prepare the topping: In a skillet, melt butter and toast coconut until golden. Add pecans and continue to cook until fragrant. Stir in coconut milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and egg yolks. Cook and stir until it thickens.

6. Assemble the pie: Once the filling is cool, top with the coconut-pecan mixture. Let the pie chill in the fridge for about 3 hours to set completely.

7. Serve: Top with unsweetened whipped cream before serving.

Nutritional Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 430

• Protein: 6g

• Fat: 25g

  • Saturated Fat: 9g

• Carbohydrates: 52g

  • Fiber: 2g

  • Sugars: 40g

• Cholesterol: 150mg

• Sodium: 210mg

• Potassium: 180mg

• Vitamin A: 6% DV

• Vitamin C: 1% DV

• Calcium: 4% DV

• Iron: 6% DV

The Allure of German Chocolate Cake

Before delving into the pie itself, it’s important to understand the origin and appeal of the original German chocolate cake. Despite its name, German chocolate cake is not a German creation but rather an American invention. The cake is named after Samuel German, an English-American chocolate maker, who developed a brand of dark baking chocolate in 1852. The cake became a popular hit after a recipe using this chocolate was published in a Texas newspaper in 1957. It quickly gained fame for its unique combination of chocolate cake with a rich, coconut-pecan frosting.

German Chocolate Pie takes this traditional cake and reimagines it in a more accessible format. The chocolate filling is a silky pudding made with high-quality chocolate, and the topping is a mix of sweetened shredded coconut and toasted pecans. This transformation into a pie allows the flavors to shine in a fresh way, creating a new twist on a classic favorite.

The Pie Crust: A Perfect Foundation

The foundation of any great pie is its crust, and in this recipe, the crust plays an essential role in supporting the rich and indulgent filling. You can use either a store-bought refrigerated pie crust or make your own from scratch. If you choose to make your own, be sure to blind-bake the crust beforehand. Blind baking is essential in this recipe because the pie filling needs to set properly, and a pre-baked crust ensures that it doesn’t become soggy.

A buttery, flaky crust contrasts beautifully with the smooth, chocolatey filling and adds another layer of texture to the pie. Whether you use a homemade or pre-made crust, it’s important to follow the instructions carefully to achieve the perfect result.

The Chocolate Filling: Rich, Velvety, and Irresistible

The filling of German Chocolate Pie is what sets it apart from other chocolate pies. Made from half-and-half, German’s sweet chocolate, brown sugar, and egg yolks, the filling is a thick, rich custard that provides the ideal base for the coconut and pecan topping. German’s sweet chocolate, with its deep cocoa flavor, is a key ingredient that gives the pie its signature taste.

Once the chocolate and sugar are combined with the half-and-half, the mixture is cooked until thickened. This step creates the rich, custard-like consistency that makes the pie so indulgent. The addition of butter and vanilla extract at the end of the cooking process enhances the flavor, adding an extra layer of creaminess and depth to the filling. When the filling cools and sets in the pie crust, it becomes perfectly smooth and ready for the topping.

The Topping: A Coconut-Pecan Delight

The topping of German Chocolate Pie is what brings it closest to the traditional German chocolate cake. The toasted coconut and pecan topping is absolutely essential, providing a delightful contrast to the rich chocolate filling. The coconut is toasted to golden perfection in butter, adding a depth of flavor that enhances the overall experience of the pie.

Once the coconut is toasted, chopped pecans are added to the mixture, followed by coconut milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, kosher salt, and egg yolks. The mixture is then cooked until it thickens, which allows it to form a sticky, sweet topping that holds together well when placed on the pie. This topping is what gives the pie its signature crunch and sweetness, complementing the smoothness of the chocolate filling beautifully.

Setting and Chilling the Pie

After assembling the pie, it’s important to chill it in the fridge for a few hours. Chilling allows the filling to set and helps the topping firm up, creating a pie that holds its shape when sliced. It’s best to allow the pie to chill for at least three hours, ensuring that the filling is firm and that all the flavors meld together. The result is a pie that’s both indulgent and satisfying.

While the pie is chilling, the flavors continue to develop, and the texture becomes more cohesive, allowing the chocolate, coconut, and pecans to come together in perfect harmony. This step is essential for achieving the best possible result and should not be skipped.

Serving the Pie: A Perfect Finishing Touch

Once the pie has set and is ready to serve, the final touch is a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream. The whipped cream provides a light, airy contrast to the rich, dense pie, and it adds a fresh, clean note to balance out the sweetness. While the pie is already quite indulgent, the whipped cream enhances the overall experience by providing a refreshing and light complement to the richness of the chocolate, coconut, and pecans.

This pie can be served at room temperature or slightly chilled, depending on personal preference. Its richness and flavor make it a perfect dessert for any special occasion, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or celebrating a holiday. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser, with its blend of textures and flavors satisfying even the most discerning dessert lovers.

The Nutritional Profile: A Decadent Indulgence

While German Chocolate Pie is undoubtedly a rich and indulgent dessert, it’s also a fairly balanced treat in terms of its nutritional profile. One serving of the pie contains 430 calories, with 25 grams of fat and 52 grams of carbohydrates. The pie also provides 6 grams of protein, which comes from the eggs and the pecans in the topping. Though it’s a dessert to be enjoyed in moderation, German Chocolate Pie offers a satisfying and delicious way to end a meal.

Conclusion: A Timeless Dessert Reimagined

German Chocolate Pie is a delightful reimagining of a classic dessert that has been loved for decades. By combining the flavors of German chocolate cake into a more convenient and accessible pie format, this dessert offers all the indulgence without the effort of baking a multi-layered cake. The rich chocolate filling, combined with the toasted coconut and pecan topping, creates a dessert that is both luxurious and comforting.

Whether you’re a fan of German chocolate cake or just looking for a new dessert to try, German Chocolate Pie is sure to become a favorite. Its combination of smooth chocolate, crunchy coconut, and pecans, all encased in a buttery pie crust, offers a satisfying and indulgent treat for any occasion. With its perfect balance of sweetness, richness, and texture, this pie is the ideal dessert to share with family and friends.