These German Chocolate Cookie Stacks are homemade German chocolate cookies and coconut pecan frosting layered into fun cookie stacks. They are delicious chocolate coconut cookies that everyone will love.
If you like these chocolate cookies you should also try my Grandfather’s Favorite Iced Chocolate Cookies and these Snickers Chocolate Cookies.
German Chocolate Cookie Stacks
So the other weekend, an unusual thing happened. The hubs and I were hanging out and he wondered aloud what desserts we had because he wanted something. While that’s somewhat unusual, the really unusual thing was that I actually didn’t have anything for him.
What?! How does that happen in our house?
Since I didn’t have anything, we decided to go get something. There’s a McDonald’s right by our neighborhood so we went there first. The ice cream machine wasn’t working. 🙁
So we went to Wendy’s. And then I was reminded of a beef I have with Wendy’s. Do you know what it is? I have one word for you – Frosty.
Years ago I went to Wendy’s and ordered a Frosty and for the first time ever they responded with, “Chocolate or vanilla?”
Um, excuse me? Frosty’s ARE chocolate. End of story. I want a Frosty. That is all.
And they asked me that again the other night and I still felt the same way. I can’t deal. Vanilla is NOT a Frosty. It’s just some vanilla thing. If I wanted the vanilla thing, I’d order the vanilla thing. I want a Frosty.
But of course, I have to say chocolate. Ugh.
Are These German Chocolate Cookie Made With Cake Mix?
I supposed these German Chocolate Cookie Stacks have a somewhat similar, yet different problem. Though they are called “German”, they aren’t technically German. They actually get the German part of their name based on the last name of the person who made the chocolate that’s used in it. Interesting, right?
I actually made the cookies first with a cake mix, but then decided to make them from scratch. The truth? They tasted the same. The cake mix didn’t make them taste any cake-ier. So I went with the from-scratch version so that everyone can make them and you don’t have to worry about getting a cake mix.
The cookies are nice and thin, so you don’t end up with a crazy tall cookie stack. They are layered with your classic coconut pecan frosting.
Believe it or not, I’d never made German Chocolate Cake before and it’s not a cake I’ve had very often. I can really only remember having it once before and I didn’t really pay that much attention to it. Turns out that’s very sad because this stuff is thebomb.com.
Yes, I said thebomb.com.
Are German Chocolate Cookies Easy To Make?
So.Darn.Good. I had no idea what I’ve been missing. And I love these cookie stacks because they are easy to make and so cute! Plus, they are served individually, which is pretty nice. AND the ratio of cookie to frosting is perfection.
The frosting is pretty easy to make too. You basically add some stuff together and heat them on the stove until they thicken. Like how I simplified that for you? 🙂
I have to say, the frosting reminds me a lot of a samoa. Why have I never made the connection before? I LOVE samoas so it makes perfect sense that I’d love these.
Seriously. My new obsession. You have to try them.
More Dessert Recipes
- German Chocolate Cake
- German Chocolate Cheesecake
- Outrageous Chocolate Coconut Cheesecake
- Samoa Cookie Cake
- Snickers Chocolate Cookie Cups
German Chocolate Cookie Stacks
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Ingredients
Cookies
- 3/4 cup butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 8 oz German chocolate (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Frosting
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup butter (cubed)
- 2 2/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream butter, sugars and chocolate together for 3-4 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla and beat until well combined.
- Add the flour, baking soda and cornstarch and mix until smooth.
- Scoop balls of about 1 tbsp of dough out onto a cookie sheet lined with a silicone baking mat, or parchment paper.
- Bake for 8-9 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 3 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.
- Once cooled, make the frosting. In a large saucepan, combine the egg yolks, milk and vanilla and whisk until well combined.
- Add sugar and butter and cook on medium heat for 12-15 minutes, or until thickened (almost pudding-like) and golden brown, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and add coconut and pecans. Mix well.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Using three cookies per stack, layer the cookies into stacks with the coconut pecan frosting. Each stack should have three layers of frosting. If the frosting is too thin, add more coconut until thickened. Refrigerate cookies until ready to serve.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Enjoy!
I’m making these for my son’s birthday! is that sweetened or unsweetened coconut for the frosting? Thanks!
I use sweetened.
I’d love to make these! What’s the baking temp?
350°F (176°C)
Hi Lindsay, These look incredible! Your site is amazing– so creative, beautiful, and … helpful!! Thanks so much!!
This recipe must be perfect. Your attractive photos made me eager to try it soon because I’m addicted of chocolate and coconut.
It looks very yummy…
thanks.
These are simply mouthwatering, Lindsay! I love a good chocolate and coconut recipe! Haven’t had German chocolate cake in forever. These cookies would be a great fill-in!
This is such a great idea!! I’ve still not had German Chocolate Cake, but I’m a cookie monster, so would probably prefer these!
B-e-a-u-t-iful Lindsay! Just love these gorgeous cookie stacks. I’ve seen German chocolate cake around the place but never actually had it myself. I must try!
My dad absolutely loves german chocolate cake so these would be the most fantastic thing ever for him!
I wish my husband would let me substitute these cute cookies for his annual birthday German Chocolate Cake – and, yes, I make it from scratch each time. I always mention to him that it’s a good thing I love him so much because making the cake is a time-consuming endeavor! I will make these cookies soon just to give him a semi-annual “birthday” treat! : )
These would be the perfect half-birthday treat! I hope he loves them! 🙂
That’s a great idea, Lindsay! I’ll give that a try – I’m sure he will love them!
I am with you! A frosty is always, always chocolate!! 🙂
I am a sucker for chocolate and coconut! Love it! These cookies are simply mouthwatering, Lindsay!
German Chocolate is my all time favorite cake in the whole world!! My mom makes a triple layer from scratch for me on my birthday and I hoard it as much as possible. OMG…so good. Thanks for this great idea. I think I will have to give it a try since I won’t be seeing my mom around my bday. I’ll place it out nicely in the kitchen for the kids to find…hint hint….or email it!! LOL. Thanks, keep up the great work! Love your site!
These are definitely a fun twist! I hope you enjoy them 🙂
Nothing is the way it used to be. The Frosty is just one more example of some person up in corporate deciding to change things and everyone else going with it. I mean, does nobody care about the Frosty legacy? Except us, I mean.
These cookie stacks are pretty awesome. I never thought of making stacks, and now a whole new world of possibility is open!