German Chocolate Trifles
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These German Chocolate Trifles have a delicious homemade brownie, a thick caramel coconut filling, and a rich, pipeable chocolate frosting all in a mug for delicious single serving trifles.
Ingredients
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all ingredients and quantities.
- butter – I use salted butter but you can definitely use unsalted butter. I would recommend adding about ½ teaspoon of salt to the brownies. We’ll be using melted butter and room temperature butter for these trifles.
- sugar – granulated sugar and light brown sugar are both needed for these trifles.
- cocoa powder – The Hershey’s special dark cocoa adds a nice contract to the trifles and also I love the flavor of it. Natural cocoa powder works great for this recipe too.
- vanilla extract – use your favorite store-bought or homemade vanilla extract. This adds a nice flavor to the brownies and caramel coconut filling.
- eggs – Always use large eggs in the recipes on cookiedoughandovenmitt.com unless specifically stated in a recipe.
- flour – All-purpose flour is a must for the brownies. I prefer to use King Arthur brand all-purpose flour.
- baking soda – The leavening agent needed for the brownies.
- chocolate chips – Both milk and dark chocolate are in this recipe.
- sweetened condensed milk - full-fat sweetened condensed milk is recommended.
- coconut – Toasted coconut is the way to go in this recipe. The texture of toasted coconut is just perfect in the caramel coconut filling.
- pecans – Pecans are optional if you aren’t a big fan of nuts. I enjoy them so I like them added. You can toast them if you don’t mind another step.
- powdered sugar – Powdered sugar for the chocolate frosting recipe.
- corn syrup – I used light corn syrup. This helps emulsify and fluff up the chocolate frosting.
Substitutions and Variations
- The light brown sugar can be substituted out for dark brown sugar in a pinch.
- The Hershey’s special dark cocoa powder can be substituted out with regular natural cocoa powder.
- This recipe can be made into one large trifle or individual trifles.
- The chocolate chips in the brownies and frosting can be switched out for your favorite chips whether it’s milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate.
NOTE: This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations
How to make German Chocolate Trifles
Homemade Brownies
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder until well combined.
Step 2: Whisk in melted butter, hot water, and vanilla until combined.
Step 3: Whisk the lightly beaten eggs into the mixture.
Step 4: Beat in the flour and baking soda until incorporated.
Step 5: Fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 6: Place the batter into the prepared pan to bake.
Step 7: Once baked, place on the counter to cool completely.
Step 8: Onced cooled, cut out 6 circles of brownies.
Caramel Coconut Filling
Step 9: In a saucepan, add the egg yolks and sugar. Whisk until combined.
Step 10: Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and butter into the pan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and let the butter melt while stirring occasionally. Let the mixture cook for about 10 minutes or until it’s thickened.
Step 11: Once thickened, pour the mixture into a heat-proof bowl. Stir in the vanilla, 1 cup of toasted coconut, and the pecans until well combined.
Step 12: Set aside while working on the frosting.
TIP: Make sure you use sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk for this recipe! They are next to each other in the grocery store but aren’t similar.
Chocolate Frosting
Step 13: In a microwave-safe bowl, add the dark chocolate chips. Microwave in 30-second intervals and stir after each interval until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Let the chocolate cool slightly so it doesn’t melt the butter.
In a large mixing bowl, add in the butter and melted chocolate chips. Beat using a hand mixer on medium speed until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Step 14: Add in the corn syrup and powdered sugar. Beat on low until the powdered sugar is almost completely incorporated.
Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add the chocolate frosting to a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 1M piping tip.
Assembling the German Chocolate Brownie Trifles
Step 15: Add the brownie to the bottom of the trifle cups.
Step 16: Add a scoop of caramel coconut filling on top of the brownie.
Step 17: Pipe a swirl of frosting on top of the coconut filling.
Step 18: Repeat the layers and top with a sprinkle of toasted coconut and a pecan.
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How to Store and Freeze
Store these individual trifles covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. You can eat them cold or let them warm up slightly on the counter.
These trifles also freeze great! Make sure the trifles are in a freezer-safe container. If they don’t have a lid, wrap them tightly in two layers of plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag or a freezer container for up to 2 to 3 months.
Let the trifles thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can cut the brownies into bite size pieces to make the brownies go further in the trifle and will make it easier to enjoy.
Yes! If you want thinner brownies, feel free to use a large baking pan or jelly roll pan. The baking time will be a bit shorter so keep an eye on them while they bake.
Oh my goodness! I have so many ideas. You can make it a delicious topping for a gerham chocolate cheesecake or mix it with baking chocolate for delicious german chocolate truffles.
This post for German Chocolate Trifles was originally posted April 8, 2014.
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German Chocolate Trifles
Ingredients
Brownie
- ½ cup salted butter melted
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¾ cup Hershey's special dark cocoa powder
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Coconut Filling
- 3 large egg yolks
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup salted butter cubed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups toasted coconut divided
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Chocolate Frosting
- ½ cup salted butter room temperature
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips melted
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Brownie
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper. Grease the sides and parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add in the butter. Place in the microwave for two 30 second intervals. Stir after each interval.
- In a large mixing bowl, add in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder. Whisk together to remove the lumps.
- Add the melted butter, hot water, and vanilla into the sugar and cocoa powder ingredients. Whisk until everything is combined.
- Add in the lightly beaten eggs and continue whisking until smooth.
- Add in the baking soda and flour. Whisk until incorporated. There may be a few lumps in the batter but that's okay.
- Stir the chocolate chips into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread the batter to the sides and into the corners of the pan evenly.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until done. Place a toothpick into the center of the brownies. If the toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs, it's done. Let the brownies cool.
Caramel Coconut Filling
- In a medium saucepan, add in the sugar and egg yolks. Using a clean whisk, whisk together until well combined.
- Add in the sweetened condensed milk and butter. Place the saucepan over medium/low heat. Once the butter melts, turn the heat up to medium and whisk occasionally. Let the mixture cook until it thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Once thickened, pour the mixture into a heat-proof bowl. Add in the vanilla, 1 cup of toasted coconut, and pecans. Stir with a spatula until combined.
Chocolate Frosting
- Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals and stir after each interval. Mine took three 30-second intervals to completely melt the chips into a smooth mixture.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, add the butter and melted chocolate chops. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until combined.
- Add in the corn syrup and powdered sugar. Beat on low speed until the powdered sugar is combined. Turn the mixer on high and let it whip for another 3 minutes until light and fluffy. If the mixture is too thick for you, add a tablespoon of milk to thin out.
Assembling the Trifles
- Using a glass that has a opening about the same size as the cups you're using for your trifle, cut out 6 circles from the brownies using the glass.
- Place the brownies on the bottom of the cups for the single-serve trifles.
- Add as much of the filling on top of the brownie as you would like and push to the edges of the cup with a spatula. I used 1 ½ tablespoons to 2 ½ tablespoons of caramel coconut filling for each layer.
- Place the frosting in a piping bag fitted with the wilton 1M piping tip and pipe out a layer of frosting.
- Repeat the layers. Top with the trifles with the remaining ¼ cup of toasted coconut for garnish.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)
I adore German chocolate cake! I make it so rarely because I simply can not control myself around it, that's ho much I love it!
Your single serve trifle (we all know a dessert in a mug can not feed a family) are perfect for a friends together or park and eat at the picnic.
Thanks for sharing and for joining the party again this month
I love chocolate and those trifles look so delicious
I'm a pretty big fan of chocolate too! 😀
I love how these are individually served, perfect for parties! So rich and divine - who doesn't love chocolate with coconut?
I didn't until recently! lol These would be wonderful for parties.
I love German Chocolate cake so these trifles look heavenly, great idea!
Thank you, Suzanne!
Mhmm these definitely do look cute and big enough to feed a family?! Sign me up! I personally love the chocolate and coconut combination, so this looks like it'll be on the dessert menu for me soon 🙂
Thank you! I really packed those mugs full! Let me know how they turn out for you. 😀