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German Chocolate Cookies – delicious cookies loaded with chocolate, caramel, pecans, and coconut flavor just like your favorite cake – but a million times easier!
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of contents
German Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
German chocolate cookies are a sumptuous variation of traditional cookies, inspired by the rich flavors of German chocolate cake. Known for their decadent and distinctive taste, these cookies are a perfect blend of sweet and nutty elements. The key ingredient, German chocolate, is a specific type of dark baking chocolate that offers a milder, sweeter flavor compared to regular dark chocolate. This chocolate is typically combined with brown sugar, butter, and vanilla, creating a deeply flavorful dough. What sets these cookies apart is the inclusion of coconut and pecans, which provide a delightful crunch and an extra layer of taste. The coconut adds a tropical sweetness, while the pecans contribute a nutty depth, making each bite a complex fusion of flavors.
The versatility of German chocolate cookies makes them a popular choice for various occasions, from casual gatherings to festive celebrations. They can be made in different forms, such as drop cookies, bars, or even sandwich cookies with a creamy filling. Bakers often experiment with additional ingredients like caramel or sea salt to add a modern twist to the classic recipe. These cookies are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a visual delight, often drizzled with melted chocolate or topped with a coconut-pecan frosting reminiscent of the traditional German chocolate cake topping. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee or as a standalone dessert, German chocolate cookies offer a unique and indulgent experience for cookie enthusiasts and chocolate lovers alike.
We recommend the following German Chocolate Cake Mixes:
- Duncan Hines German Chocolate Cake Mix
- Pillsbury Moist Supreme German Chocolate Cake Mix
- King Arthur Flour Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake Mix
How to Make German Chocolate Cookies
Since we’re using German Chocolate Cake mix as a great shortcut to these cookies, there are less ingredients to worry about tracking down – making this cookie recipe even easier!
- Mixing Bowls
- Silicone Stirring Spoon
- Baking Sheet
- Cooling rack
- Parchment paper
- Candy squeeze bottle
For the Cookies:
- 1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix
- 1/4 cup butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs
For the Icing:
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup chocolate candy wafers
First we’ll make the cookies – the easiest part of the recipe!
Once cookies are mixed and baked, they need to cool completely. If you go to ice the cookies quickly, the topping will melt off and become a complete mess.
Likewise, after icing the cookies, it is best to let the coconut and pecan topping set – you’ll also want to let the drizzled chocolate candy set, or you’ll have a face-full of chocolate.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect German Chocolate Cookies
Are German Chocolate cookies actually German? German Chocolate Cake is about as famous as Black Forest Cake in the US for being German – but German Chocolate cake isn’t actually from Germany! German Chocolate Cake was actually named after a man named Sam German – who was actually British or English (a lot of sources say different things) – but has nothing to do with Germany as an origin. We travel to Germany often – it’s one of our favorite places to visit (thanks to my brother in law and sister in law, who live outside of Frankfurt) – and I can attest that while you can find some coconut and pecan chocolate cakes and cookies, this recipe isn’t some old Bavarian secret. It still is totally delicious, though!
Let cookies cool. Icing cookies when still hot will result in your German chocolate icing melting.
Bake on parchment. For perfect nonstick cookies, bake on a piece of parchment.
Recipe FAQ’S
Cooking the icing can be a bit tricky to tell when it’s done – but after about 10 minutes, your egg white, condensed milk, and butter mixture will have visibly thickened – which means it’s done!
These cookies last in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to five days – but are best if consumed within two days.
Cookies can be frozen in a plastic bag or airtight container for up to four months. Let thaw naturally on the counter until soft and enjoy!
Traditional recipes include dairy and eggs, but you can make vegan versions by using plant-based alternatives for butter, milk, and eggs.
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour. Just ensure it’s a 1:1 substitution blend for baking.
Yes, you can omit nuts if you prefer or are catering to allergies. The cookies will still be delicious, though they’ll lack the traditional crunch and nutty flavor.
What to enjoy with your Cookies
German chocolate cookies, with their rich and distinctive flavors, pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages and other treats. Here are some delightful options to enjoy alongside these cookies:
Coffee: The robust flavor of coffee, especially a dark roast, complements the sweet and nutty notes of the cookies. A latte or cappuccino with its creamy texture can also balance the richness of the cookies.
Milk: Classic cold milk is a timeless pairing for any cookie, and it works beautifully with the sweetness and texture of German chocolate cookies. It helps cleanse the palate between bites.
Tea: A cup of black tea, such as Earl Grey or English Breakfast, can be a great accompaniment. The slight bitterness of the tea contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the cookies. Herbal teas, like peppermint or chamomile, can also offer a refreshing counterpoint.
Dessert Wines: For an indulgent pairing, try a dessert wine like a Port or a sweet Riesling. These wines have a natural sweetness and fruitiness that can enhance the chocolate and nut flavors in the cookies.
Nut Liqueurs: Liqueurs such as Frangelico (hazelnut) or Amaretto (almond) can complement the nutty elements of the cookies. These can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail.
Ice Cream: Serve the cookies with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or even coconut ice cream for a decadent dessert. The cold creaminess of the ice cream pairs nicely with the dense texture of the cookies.
Fresh Fruit: For a lighter accompaniment, fresh fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or bananas can add a refreshing and slightly tart contrast to the rich cookies.
Try these delicious cookies next:
You can find our complete Easy Dessert Recipe Index page here.
- The Best Easy Chewy Sugar Cookies Ever Recipe
- Cherry Danish Cheesecake Bars Recipe
- Easy Buttercreams Candy Recipe
- Candy Cane Cake Batter Microwave Fudge
- Easy Apple Sopapilla Cheesecake Recipe
- Easy Blueberry Peach Cobbler Recipe
- Easy Lemon Jello Poke Cake Recipe
- Easy Slow Cooker Pumpkin Bread Pudding Recipe
- Peppermint Buttercreams Candy
And to find more of our recipes that are perfect to give as a Christmas gift, please visit our Christmas cookies archive page here.
German Chocolate Cookies Recipe
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Easy German Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 box Pillsbury Purely Simple Chocolate Cake Mix
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
For the Icing:
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 ¼ cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup chocolate candy wafers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix cake mix, butter, and eggs well – until a thick cookie dough forms. Make sure there aren’t giant clumps, but do not overmix.
- Roll dough into 23 balls – about 1 1/2” or a little bit bigger than a golf ball.
- Place cookies on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake 8 minutes, until sides brown.
- Let cool and move to cooling rack to cool completely before icing, about 15 minutes.
- To make caramel pecan icing, add milk, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla to a pan and heat over medium heat, stirring often to mix well, until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in coconut and pecans.
- Spread out a heaping spoonful over each cookie.
- After cookies are iced, melt chocolate candy in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds to melt.
- Using the back of a spoon or a candy squeeze bottle, drizzle melted chocolate candy over cookies.
- Let set additional 15 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
