German Chocolate Cake Cookies

These German Chocolate Cake Cookies are the perfect combination of the delicious flavors from the classic cake baled into a cookie. Made with rich chocolate, coconut flakes, and pecans, these cookies will satisfy any sweet tooth.

german chocolate cake cookie on a counter.

Not only are these cookies delicious, but they are also easy to make. The dough comes together quickly, and you only need a few simple tools, to bake up this sweet treat.

seven german chocolate cake cookies on a plate.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • These cookies are easier to make than the classic cake but still taste great.
  • This recipe is great for novice bakers or beginners. No special skills are needed.
  • They are great for holiday cookie swaps, cookouts, or just a regular day when you want something sweet.

🛒Ingredients

bowls of ingredients needed to make german chocolate cookies on a background.

You only need simple ingredients to help you make this chocolate coconut cookie recipe. Gather these ingredients, and pull out your baking supplies so you can enjoy one of these sweet buttery cookies.

  • semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • butter
  • sugar
  • vanilla
  • egg
  • baking powder
  • flour

For the topping:

  • evaporated milk
  • butter
  • egg yolks
  • sugar
  • vanilla
  • shredded coconut
  • chopped pecans
  • chocolate chips

See the recipe card below for quantities.

🔪 How to Make These German Chocolate Cake Cookies

Making these chocolate coconut cookies is so simple. Just follow these step-by-step instructions or check out the full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the recipe.

chocolate chips and butter being melted in a small bowl.

Step 1: Melt the chocolate chips

In a small, microwave safe bowl, place the chocolate chips and the butter and microwave in short 10 seconds intervals, stirring at every stop, until the chocolate and butter have completely melted. Set aside to allow it to cool slightly.

dry ingredients being whisked in a small bowl.

Step 2: In separate bowls mix the wet ingredients and dry ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, vanilla, and eggs together. In a small bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder together.

cookie dough being mixed in a large glass mixing bowl.

Add the cooled chocolate to the egg mixture and whisk until smooth. Add in the dry ingredients and mix well. Place the batter in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes until it firms up a little bit. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees

cookie dough balls on a baking sheet ready for the oven.

Step 4: Bake the cookies

Using a cookie scoop (about a large tablespoon if you don’t have a cookie scoop), scoop into balls and place them on a cookie sheet about 2 inches apart to allow room for them to spread. Place them in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove and place on a cooling rack.

topping being cooked in a saucepan.

Step 5: Make the topping

To make the topping, place the evaporated milk, butter, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla in a medium sized saucepan and cook over low to medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Once it has started to thicken, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Step 6: Add the coconut and pecans

Add in the shredded coconut and chopped pecans and stir.

coconut mixture being put on top of cookies.

Step 7: Top the cookies

Once the cookies and the topping have cooled, spoon a heaping tablespoon full of the topping on top of each cookie. You may have to shape it with your hands depending on if the coconut has long shreds.

chocolate being drizzled on top of cookies.

Step 8: Finish the cookies

Take the remaining 5 ounces of chocolate and melt it in the microwave in short segments until smooth and fully melted. Drizzle on top of each cookie in whatever pattern desired.

📝Variations

Do you want to change up this recipe and make it your own? Here are some ways that you can do that!

  • Nuts: For extra crunch add chopped pecans to your cookie dough.
  • Chocolate: Instead of using semi-sweet chocolate, use milk chocolate or dark chocolate instead.

Do you love German chocolate? If, so check out this German Chocolate Cake recipe or this German Chocolate Fudge. They are both delicious.

🥄 Equipment

This is a quick list of the kitchen tools that you need to make this tasty recipe:

  • Microwave Safe Bowl 
  • large bowl
  • small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cookie scoop
  • cooling rack
  • Baking sheets or Cookie Sheets
  • medium saucepan
german cookie with a bite missing.

Storage

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.

Serve With

You can serve these cookies with your favorite meal, or on your cookie tray alongside other cookies such as Lemon Cool Whip Cookies or Butternut Cookies.

💭 Tips

Here are a few tips that you can use to ensure that these delicious german chocolate cake cookies turn out perfectly for you when you make them.

  • Make sure that you stir the chocolate in between intervals, you don’t want the chocolate to scorch.
  • Don’t overcook the topping, once it starts to thicken remove it from the heat and allow it to cool.
  • A spoon or a plastic bottle can help you get an even drizzle on the top of your cookies.

⁉️ FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Why is German cake called German?

Most people do not realize that this recipe got its name from a person and not the country. It was named after the inventor Samual German.

Is a Texas Sheet Cake and German Chocolate Cake the same thing?

No, a Texas sheet cake is more brownie-like than a German chocolate cake.

Can I make these cookies ahead?

Yes, you can make them up to 24 hours in advance.

Do you enjoy cookie recipes? Here are some more recipes you may want to try:

🧾Recipe Card

Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.

german chocolate cake cookie on a counter.

German Chocolate Cake Cookies

These German Chocolate Cake Cookies taste just like the classic cake, but with a little less effort. If you love trying a few twist on a classic dessert this the is recipe for you.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies
Calories: 236kcal

Equipment

  • Microwave Safe Bowl 
  • large bowl
  • small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cookie scoop
  • cooling rack
  • Baking sheets or Cookie Sheets
  • medium saucepan

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 5.5 ounces sugar equal to 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon
  • ½ teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 egg
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ cup flour

For the topping:

  • 12 ounces evaporated milk
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ⅓ cup shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
  • 1 ¼ cup chopped pecans
  • 5 ounces chocolate chips

Instructions

  • In a small, microwave safe bowl, place the chocolate chips and the butter and microwave in short 10 seconds intervals, stirring at every stop, until the chocolate and butter have completely melted.
  • Set aside to allow it to cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, vanilla, and eggs together.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder together.
  • Add the cooled chocolate to the egg mixture and whisk until smooth.
  • Add in the dry ingredients and mix well. Place the batter in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes until it firms up a little bit.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Using a cookie scoop (about a large tablespoon if you don’t have a cookie scoop), scoop into balls and place them on a cookie sheet about 2 inches apart to allow room for them to spread.
  • Place them in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove and place on a cooling rack.
  • To make the topping, place the evaporated milk, butter, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in a medium sized saucepan and cook over low to medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken. This will take about 10-15 minutes.
  • Once it has started to thicken, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  • Add in the shredded coconut and chopped pecans and stir.
  • Once the cookies and the topping have cooled, spoon a heaping tablespoon full of the topping on top of each cookie.
  • You may have to shape it with your hands depending if the coconut has long shreds.
  • Take the remaining 5 ounces of chocolate and melt it in the microwave in short segments until smooth and fully melted.
  • Drizzle on top of each cookie in whatever pattern desired.

Notes

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cookie | Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 122IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg

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