Easy German Chocolate Cookies
Recipe ByAshley |
UpdatedJuly 15, 2026 |
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Hey friends! Ashley here. If you are a fan of German chocolate cake — that dreamy combination of rich chocolate, toasted coconut, and buttery pecans — wait until you try these German chocolate cookies. We’re starting with a box of German chocolate cake mix, adding coconut and pecans, and finishing with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt that takes everything over the top. They come together in 20 minutes and taste like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen. Y’all, these are imperfectly perfect little bites of joy and they disappear from the cookie jar faster than I can make them!
Why You’ll Love This German Chocolate Cookies
- Ready in 20 minutes: from mixing bowl to cooling rack, this is the fastest impressive dessert you’ll ever make.
- Six ingredients: cake mix, butter, eggs, coconut, pecans, and sea salt. That’s it!
- Rich German chocolate flavor: all the classic coconut-pecan taste in cookie form, no frosting required.
- The sea salt finish: that sprinkle right after baking creates the most addictive sweet-salty contrast.
- Perfect for baking with kids: simple enough that little helpers can do most of the work themselves!
These cookies are proof that the best baking doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest ingredients make the most memorable treats!
What Goes Into These German Chocolate Cookies
Here’s the beautiful thing about these German chocolate cookies — six ingredients, zero fuss, and maximum impact:
German chocolate cake mix — the shortcut that makes this recipe genius. The cake mix brings all the chocolate flavor plus the perfect structure for a chewy, soft cookie. Look for German Chocolate variety (it’s different from regular chocolate — it’s sweeter and slightly more complex in flavor!).
Melted butter — half a cup of melted unsalted butter makes these cookies rich and slightly crispy on the edges while staying soft and chewy in the center. Do not use oil as a substitute — butter is essential here for the flavor and texture!
Shredded coconut — sweetened shredded coconut is what gives these cookies that signature German chocolate cake character. It adds chew, sweetness, and a wonderful texture in every bite. Don’t leave it out!
Chopped pecans — buttery, slightly crunchy pecans are the perfect complement to the chocolate and coconut. You can toast them lightly in a dry pan first for even deeper flavor, or use them straight from the bag. Either way, they are wonderful.
Flaky sea salt — this is the finishing touch that makes everything taste more intentional and elevated. Sprinkle it on immediately after the cookies come out of the oven while they’re still warm. The salt melts slightly into the surface and creates the most incredible sweet-salty bite!
Let’s Bake!
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until a thick dough forms.
- Step 3: Fold in shredded coconut and chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Step 4: Use two cookie scoops of dough per cookie. Roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms.
- Step 5: Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Step 6: Bake 10–11 minutes until the edges are set but centers still look slightly underdone — they’ll firm up as they cool!
- Step 7: Immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Ashley’s Pro-Tips
Don’t overbake — pull them out when the edges are set and the centers look underdone. They will continue cooking on the hot pan and will be perfectly chewy once cooled.
Use TWO scoops per cookie — this is the trick for a perfectly sized, bakery-style cookie. One scoop makes them too small and they dry out faster.
Salt immediately — sprinkle the sea salt the moment they come out of the oven while the surface is still warm and slightly tacky. That’s what makes it stick and melt in perfectly.
Toast your pecans — 3-4 minutes in a dry pan over medium heat brings out an incredible buttery, nutty depth that makes these even more special.
Storage & Pairing
Room temp: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They actually get chewier on day two!
Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months, or freeze the raw dough balls and bake straight from frozen — just add 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.
Serve with: A big glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or alongside a warm cup of coffee for the grown-ups!
A Little Joy on Top
If you love easy, pantry-staple baking like these German chocolate cookies, you have to check out my Easy Homemade Brownies — they’re better than any box mix and made with ingredients you already have!
For another crowd-pleasing dessert that’s secretly simple, my Easy Sourdough German Pancakes are a family favorite that doubles as breakfast AND dessert!
And if you want a cozy, homemade spread to go alongside all your baking, my Easy Slow Cooker Apple Butter is absolutely magical and makes the house smell incredible!
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Easy German Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until a thick dough forms.
- Fold in shredded coconut and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
- Use two cookie scoops of dough per cookie. Roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms.
- Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake 10–11 minutes until edges are set but centers still look slightly underdone. They will firm up as they cool!
- Immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
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Meet Ashleybakeseasy
Welcome to Ashley Bakes Easy! I’m Ashley, a home cook and mother who believes that delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated. My journey in the kitchen started with a simple goal: create meals that my whole family would love, we could afford on a single income, and create recipes tailored for our special needs son Winston.
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Hello Form Ashleybakeseasy
Welcome to Ashley Bakes Easy! I’m Ashley, a home cook and mother who believes that delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated. My journey in the kitchen started with a simple goal: create meals that my whole family would love, we could afford on a single income, and create recipes tailored for our special needs son Winston.
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