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German Chocolate Cake Cookies

German Chocolate Cake Cookies feature all the great flavors of the classic cake in cookie form!

One of my favorite cakes is the always reliable German chocolate cake with coconut-pecan frosting. Not very creative, I know. But, what can I say? I like what I like. Unfortunately for me, coconut is most definitely not what Quinn likes.

I snuck in baking these cookies while Quinn was still enjoying our amazingly chocolate Christmas dessert. As much as he’s been enjoying it, I felt pretty sure that he wouldn’t mind. Or notice, for that matter.

German Chocolate Cake Cookies feature all the great flavors of the classic cake in cookie form!

The selling point for me is that all the components of a German chocolate cake are squeezed compactly into a cookie. It’s all there – chocolate, pecans, coconut. While they may not taste just like the cake, they are perfectly delicious on their own merit.

I love the chewiness and super chocolate-y-ness of these cookies. They are plenty rich, too. And plentiful. The recipe, which was supposed to make 3 dozen, made 5 dozen. I think I need to seek out some coconut-loving neighbors. So, if anyone’s interested, I have a few dozen of these to spare.

German Chocolate Cake Cookies

Yield about 60 cookies
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

These German Chocolate Cake Cookies have everything you love about the classic cake in convenient handheld form!

German Chocolate Cake Cookies feature all the great flavors of the classic cake in cookie form!

Ingredients

  • 2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • pinch salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
  2. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat together butter and both sugars. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans.
  4. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Notes

This recipe can be made into bars by pressing the dough into a buttered 8-inch square baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes. 

Recipe adapted from Food Network.

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    16 Comments on “German Chocolate Cake Cookies”

  1. Imagine that. I actually thought I was all “cookied” out after Christmas but these just turned my interest right back on. Back to the oven I go!

  2. As if I needed another excuse to make MORE cookies! 😉

  3. I love cake turned cookie – do you really want to fatten me up more after christmas :P!!!

  4. German chocolate cake is my favorite too! And I also suffer from a family who doesn’t care for coconut. More for us I guess!

  5. I’ve always wanted to make a German Chocolate Cake. The thought of baking one intimidates me a little. I’d rather make your cookie version!

  6. just when you thought you couldn’t find anymore cookie recipes! I’m so intrigued!

  7. Yuuuuum these look awesome! 🙂

  8. I am SO making these! I buy a box of Samoas from the Girl Scouts every year to get the taste of German Chocolate Cake in cookie form. These look way better — and I can make them all year. No need to wait for GS cookie season. 🙂

  9. Woow I really fell in love with your website and also with this cookie recipe! I am a big fan of chewy cookies and I tried out a few recipes! 😉 I am from Germany and I am so excited to try out this recipe!

  10. Oh, yum! I love german chocolate cake, but I’d rather not have a whole cake lying around for me to eat.. 😛 These cookies might just be the next best thing..will definitely have to try soon! They look delicious.

  11. I am definitely going to try these cookies soon but sans the coconut. We do not like coconut in our food! How do you think the cookies will taste without?

  12. Pooja, they’ll be just fine without the coconut. You might add more nuts and/or chocolate chips.

  13. Thanks, Jennifer! Will try doing that. Having tried a few recipes of yours, I am kinda sure this will be a winner too! 🙂

  14. Made these using the Food Network recipe. Looks exactly the same. They turned out awesome! I used unsweetened shredded coconut and the flavor is just perfect. Will make again.

  15. Could I make these with actual German chocolate square chocolate?

    • Hi, Kath. German’s chocolate is just a sweetened chocolate like semisweet chocolate. It does tend to be sweeter than most semisweet chocolate, so the sweetness level would be the only thing affected.

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