German Chocolate Cake Cookies – Soft, chewy chocolate cookies with rich caramel, coconut, and pecan frosting won’t last long on the cookie plate.
These German Chocolate Cake cookies are a delicious household staple. They make a perfect snack year-round but are an incredibly excellent holiday gift! They’re a great addition to any dessert table, but they won’t last long as they’re deliciously addictive!
Today, I am featuring one of the best cookies you will ever eat! A cookie that will become so addictive you will make them in large quantities and freeze them to have them for a week or two.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
From trusty pots and pans to handy gadgets, I’ve curated a list of products I use and love.
Making one of the traditional cakes, German Chocolate cake, into a cookie was one of the best recipes I have ever made. How can you go wrong with caramel, pecans, and chocolate?
My favorite thing about this recipe is that everything is from scratch. This chocolate cookie is so chewy and moist, making it the best platform for the frosting. Bake them today, as they are hands down amazing, delicious, unbelievable, out of this world, and the best cookie ever, as quoted by my friends and family who tried them.
Recipe Tips
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter softened
- Light brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs beaten
- All-purpose flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
How do you make German Chocolate Cake Cookies?
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Blend the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and eggs in a medium bowl.
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and blend until combined.
Drop the dough by tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheets, 12 cookies per sheet, and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
Cool on a baking rack.
Add evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter, and vanilla to a large pan and place on the stovetop over medium heat to make the frosting. Stir so that it becomes well combined.
Continue stirring until thickened; this takes approximately 11-12 minutes.
Once thickened, remove from heat and add coconut and pecans. Beat until thick enough to spread.
Spread frosting over the tops of cooled cookies.
More German Chocolate Cake inspired recipes
What brings me the most joy when making this cookie is my husband. He loves these; had I made these when we were dating, I think we would have married even earlier. He loves them so much it would have created an instant proposal.
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German Chocolate Cake Cookies
Video
Ingredients
Chocolate Cookies
- 1 cup salted butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch salt
Coconut Pecan Frosting
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Optional: ¼ cup chocolate candy coating melted for drizzle
Instructions
Chocolate Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer or large bowl using a hand mixer, blend the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and eggs. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture and blend until combined.
- Drop the dough by tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheets, 12 cookies per sheet, and bake 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a baking rack.
Coconut Pecan Frosting
- Add evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter and vanilla to a large pan and place on stovetop over medium heat.
- Stir so that it becomes well combined. Continue stirring until thickened, this takes approximately 11-12 minutes. I set my timer for 11 minutes and 30 seconds, this seems to work every time.
- Once thickened remove from heat and add coconut and pecans. Beat until thick enough to spread.
- Spread frosting over the tops of cooled cookies.
- Optional: Drizzle with melted candy coating and let set up. Top with a white chocolate heart. See note.
- Note: I melted some pink chocolate candy coating, put it into a Ziplock lunch baggie, snipped off a small corner. Then on some wax paper drew hearts with the chocolate. I let them harden, then gently placed them on top of the cookies. A great decoration for upcoming Valentine’s Day.
Yum! These cookies look so heavenly! Can’t wait to try them. Pinning!
Thanks Sheena!
Hi… just wonder how much in grams for 2 stick butter ? Thanks
a ‘stick’ is 4 ounces which is equal to 113.39809 grams, so the recipe would take 2 sticks which equals 226.7 grams… approx. 227 grams. Good luck.
Hi Sandra, what is 2 sticks of butter? I’m use to grams
226 grams 🙂 there are 113 grams in one stick – San
Can these be frozen?
Carol – they freeze well. My sister does this all the time.
How much is that in cups
1/2 cup
Half a stick is 1/4 cup, so 2 sticks would be a cup.
A friend shared this recipe on Facebook and it’s all I could think about all day so I bought the ingredients and made them last night! OMG, these are the best cookie in the whole history and future of cookies. I loved them. I took them to work to avoid eating them all myself and I got raves at work. I posted my plate of cookies in Facebook and already got 2 requests to make them for people. Excellent recipe! Thank you!
Please please tell me where I can get the recipe….I saw it on FB also and have been searching in vain for it. I went to Pinterest and the closest I could get was a list of ingredients but no procedure. I’ve been working at this for two days. Hubbys b’day is October 2nd and this is his favorite cake. So this would be a great surprise.
A pound of butter is 454 grams so 1/2 of that
Yes
Can u 0lease post the receipt for the cheesecake
I just made them for Christmas for my kids so yummy ..love it …
For the icing, just wondering if it’s icing sugar or caster sugar?
Hi Taylor! Caster sugar would be the closest to what we use in the frosting. It is ground finer than our granulated sugar but it won’t affect the consistency of the frosting so you can use the same amount.
I made that today they are to die for
I made these cookies tonight and they were flat as a pancake. Threw in the trash. I followed the instructions on the recipe as said.
These cookies are flat and chewy cookie, they are not a thick cookie. Hopefully you tasted them before throwing them away.
Well idk mine came out the opposite following the directions as is. Puffy and cake like instead of chewy
I love this recipe. I followed the directions and got them just as they should be. Perfect. I’ll use this every time. I’ll never throw them away.
My daughter made these a few weeks ago and her first batch was very flat and chewy also. I suggested (not having seen this site or the intended texture of the cookie) that she add more flour. Since then she has used 2 3/4 cups of flour and they make a delicious thicker, cake-like cookie. With the icing they are delicious.
These cookies are supposed to flat and chewy.
Nice job adjusting the flour to get exactly what you are looking for. I prefer them they way they are, flat and chewy, loaded with icing.
xo San
Oh my! Why wouldn’t you at least try them before throwing away?! To many ingredients and expense! What a waste! If you had tried them, and didn’t care for them, you could at least have given them to a neighbor or senior center! wow!
Didn’t you look at the photos at some point? They clearly show a very flat cookie with a mound of coconut pecan frosting on top. It’s too bad that you wasted all your ingredients AND effort. Maybe the next time you try a new recipe, you should read it over a few times and look at any photos that are available, to be sure that you have a good idea of what the finished product looks like.
I love German chocolate cake and this looks good, but I have a daughter that is allergic to tree nuts. Is there an alternative to the coconuts and pecans I can use?
wonder if you can make them with greman cake mix if you add a dab more water or milk
Interesting, I have never tried that. Let me know if you do. xo San
I use a chocolate cake mix for chocolate cookies all the time..I use white cake mix for white cookies all the time too! Soo much easier nd cheaper really..Then with the german chocolate frosting in can…way easier!
But I have to say that canned frosting is not as tasty. But easier…yes.
Do you have to modify the cake recipe for the cookies?
Am in the middle of making these divine looking cookies …… They are coming out looking as flat as a pancake … Maybe flatter. More like a ginger snap. Not soft and chewy. Batch made about 4 doz. Cookies are tasty, but not what I expected. Tried various baking times, but they always flattened out. Might try mixing another batch of dough, but as of now, can’t see the coconut frosting on these ….. Maybe a dip in white chocolate , so all is not lost , but …….. Any thoughts ?
I found that if you use jumbo eggs or a little too much butter, it will make your cookies flat. Also, I’ve put a little baking powder in them and they puff up a little more. Also you can use self rising flour which is a lighter flour and has the baking powder already mixed with it. Worth a try but in my opinion just because they are flat doesn’t meant that they are no good unless you burnt them.
Thanks Jeanne for your comment. These cookies are flat and chewy that is what makes them so good. And you are right a flat cookie is just fine that is unless you burnt it. San
I know I am late to the party. But, these cookies are outrageous. My family started to devour them before I could frost them! I bake a lot of cookies so it is a big deal that these are such a hit. I am also making your recipe for your grandpa’s favorite German chocolate cake for my mom’s birthday,.. Grateful for the recipes!
One more thing, I added chocolate chips to the cookies because, well, basically, I add them to everything. I think it is one of the reasons my family could not wait for the frosting!
Thank you! so happy you loved them. We do too! xo San
How much is a stick of butter?
1/2 cup 🙂
I made these yesterday and turned out pretty good. I think the “prep time” needs to be adjusted….part of the directions is to stir the frosting for 12 minutes!! Can’t do everything else in 3 minutes!!!
Thanks for catching that it was a typo – San
How can I store these cookies??
I store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Oh goodness. My husband’s birthday is on Monday and he specifically asked for German Chocolate something. These might be it!!
Chelsea, you have got to do this. He won’t be disappointed. Can’t wait to hear how it goes 🙂 xoxo San
I am wondering if you can substitute the cocoa powder for the 1 oz German chocolate squares.
Hi Sandra! German Chocolate is one of my favorite cakes! These look insanely delicious and dangerous for me to be around! 🙂 Add the fact you said they’re the best cookies I will ever eat, I guess I will have to try them!!! 😉 Pinned 🙂
Jamie, Girl you will love these! I have no doubt, can’t wait for you to try them. xoxo San
Awesome photography and the cookie is absolutely scrumptious looking. Pinning. Linda
Thanks Linda! Hope you are able to try them soon! xoxo San
Wow, these look delicious! I love German Chocolate cake so I can only imagine how yummy this is! Pinning for later
Ciara,
I love German Chocolate Cake but these cookies win over the cake, can’t wait for you to try! xoxo San
Hi Sandra, If it’s chocolate, coconut and pecans than I’m definitely going to have to make these cookies. They sound delicious. Pinning and sharing.
Thanks Joanne! You will love them. xoxo San
My husband loves german chocolate cake so when he hears that I have a recipe for german chocolate cookies, he’s going to be so excited! Thanks for the post!!!!
These look all kinds of amazing! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
I love german chocolate cake! and these look like all those great flavors in a cookie 🙂 Great recipe! I will be pinning this!
these look like they would be a favorite of mine yum love german chocolate.
G’day! Another great recipe and photo Sandra!
Thanks for sharing at the Foodie Friends Friday Healthy Choices Party!
Cheers! Joanne
My hubby’s favorite cookie! Thank you for bringing them last night. It was great catching up!
These look so yummy! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
As a kid, my request for birthday cake was always German chocolate. I can’t wait to try it in cookie form! Pinning and trying soon. Thanks! (p.s. love your name! – I’m also a mother of 5! )
Sandra – welcome! So happy to have you here, can’t wait to get to know your more. What is your boy to girl ratio? Mine is 3 boys / 2 girls. SO FUN! and exhausting! San
My son has egg allergies and I have a substitute for eggs, but not sure what would work for the egg yolks. Any suggestions?
Oh, sweet yum! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Pop on over and grab a feature button. Here is the link to this week’s party. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2014/01/make-it-pretty-monday-week-84.html Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Kathryn – thanks for featuring my German Chocolate Cake Cookie! I already linked up! Love your party and site! xoxo San
Can you freeze these?
Oh wow! These look so amazing! I can’t wait to try them out! I am so glad you shared this recipe at the Foodies and Crafties Soiree!
Hi the instructions say add chocl chips coconut and pecans but ingredients do not have them in it
Debi – thanks for catching that when I updated my recipe I forgot to edit it. It is correct now. Thanks for catching this! San
The directions say nothing about when or how to add the chocolate striping I’m seeing on the picture……I see something about white chocolate..which makes NO sense and a pink heart floating..where??This SOUNDED like a great recipe…I was anxious to TRY it..but how about REAL directions that match the pictures?
Barbara – there is a note at the bottom of the recipe about the chocolate and how to do that. If you need more details than listed email me at sandra@ adashofsanity.com
How do you store the German chocolate cookies? Do they need to be refrigerated?
They don’t need to be refrigerated but they do even freeze well. I love them cold.
Silly Question..Do you have to keep the icing refrigerated?
No you are good, but I am sure it would still taste just as yummy! But no refrigeration needed. xoxo San
ps: not a silly question!
These chocolate cookies with this delicious frosting sounds so yummy! What a great idea! Thank you so much for stopping by and linking up at Saturday dishes. I pinned it!
Blessings,
Diane Roark
http://www.recipesforourdailybread.com
My husband loves German Chocolate Cake! I might just have to try making these for him! Thanks for sharing at Saturday Dishes. Pinning.
I am definitely pinning this and trying them ASAP. I love German Chocolate Cake, so I’m super excited about these!
Linking up via Turn it Up Tuesday on Epic Mommy Adventures!
Just a tip to those who want to print out this recipe – use the print button at the top of the post that is located next to the “Save Recipe” button. If you use the one located right above the comments section, it is 9 pages long.
Alyssa – thanks for that. I had no idea, I will be checking into that. THANK YOU! San
I just made these tonight. O. M. G. These are amazingly delicious. And beautiful to look at. I, of course, did not have quite enough cocoa powder (a little more than 1/4 cup), and no evaporated milk. So I threw in an oz of melted bakers chocolate and used a combination of skim milk and cream and they turned out fine. Okay, better than fine…I don’t know how I’m going to avoid eating them all at once. Thanks so much!!