Coconut-Pecan German Chocolate Pie

Total Time

Prep: 50 min. + chilling Bake: 35 min. + chilling

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Jan. 03, 2024
This German chocolate pecan pie combines the ingredients everyone loves in its classic cake cousin. It's so silky and smooth, you won't be able to put your fork down. —Anna Jones, Coppell, Texas

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons cold lard
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water
  • FILLING:
  • 4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • TOPPING:
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in lard until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Shape into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes or overnight.
  2. Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice.
  3. Bake 11-13 minutes or until bottom is lightly browned. Remove foil and weights; bake 6-8 minutes longer or until light brown. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 350°.
  4. In a microwave, melt chocolates in a large bowl; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk in milk, egg yolks and vanilla; stir in pecans. Pour into crust. Bake 16-19 minutes or until set. Cool 1 hour on a wire rack.
  5. Meanwhile, in a small heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, cream and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Cook 2-3 minutes or until mixture thickens and a thermometer reads 160°, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut and vanilla; cool 10 minutes.
  7. Pour over filling; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate 4 hours or until cold.
Test Kitchen Tips
  • Use any single-crust pie pastry your heart desires (here's our favorite), including pre-made if you're short on time.
  • Hold the scrambled eggs, please! To achieve a silky smooth filling and topping, heat the egg yolks slowly and gently.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 piece: 801 calories, 54g fat (24g saturated fat), 215mg cholesterol, 227mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (53g sugars, 5g fiber), 12g protein.