German Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies (With Frosting Baked In)

These soft and chewy German Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies are packed with coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips — plus a can of coconut pecan frosting baked right in! An easy, no-fail recipe with big bakery flavor.

Some Ideas are Divinely Inspired!

I have two favorite cakes: First (my top favorite) is Italian Cream Cake. Second: German Chocolate with coconut pecan frosting. When I was a kid I would ask my mom to make it for me for my birthday! Both of those cakes have two things in common: coconut and pecans. I’m crazy about both. 

Some time ago a friend  reached out to tell me about a different kind of German Chocolate Cake (a bundt made with a can of coconut pecan frosting baked in). I loved it so much that I decided to take that same basic concept and turn it into a cake mix cookie. 

The first time I made this recipe, it flopped.

I added a stick of butter, along with the can of frosting. The whole thing fell flat. I ended up with wafer-thin cookies. Ugh!

So, I went back to the drawing board and decided to try again, this time with no butter. Turns out, I never needed it! The frosting has an oily base, which is the perfect substitute for the butter. 

In the end, I came up with a cookie that absolutely delighted me! And I’m so happy to say I made this one up, myself! I think you’re going to love it! 

German Chocolate Cake Mix Cookie Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. 

• 1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix (15.25 ounce)
• 1 can coconut pecan frosting (15 ounce)
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup shredded coconut
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips

How to Make German Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies (With Frosting Baked In)

These come together so easily and taste delicious! 

Empty the can of frosting into a large microwave-safe bowl. 

Microwave for 10 - 15 seconds, just enough to slightly loosen the frosting. 

Add the egg and mix well. (I mixed mine by hand using a Danish bread whisk.) 

Add the cake mix. (Stir until fully combined.) 

Now add the add-ins. (You don’t have to use this many add-ins, but I promise they amp up the flavor and texture!) 

Once the dough is prepped, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Scoop the cookies onto a parchment lined baking sheet. 

Place the baking sheet in the fridge for 10 minutes to chill the dough. 

Press down the cold dough balls. 

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 11 - 12 minutes or until set. You don’t want to over bake these. 

Remove and place cookie sheet on a wire rack to cool. 

After a few minutes transfer the cookies directly to the rack to continue cooling. 

Serve and enjoy! 

Store leftover in an airtight container. They should stay fresh at room temperature for 3-4 days. 

What to Expect from These Cookies

Friends, if you’re a fan of German chocolate cake, prepare to fall in love with this cookie version. These cookies are bursting with rich, chocolatey goodness and loaded with all the classic flavors you crave — sweet coconut, crunchy pecans, and melty chocolate chips in every bite. The texture is spot-on: soft, chewy, and irresistibly decadent. Honestly, this cookie isn’t just good — it’s a total showstopper. I’m giving it a solid ten out of ten. Absolute perfection!

Variations to this Recipe

Sandwich Cookies: I have a similar cake mix cookie that’s stuffed with frosting, but they don’t have frosting baked in. I think “sandwiching” these cookies together would be delicious! 

Skip all the add-ins, if you like a smoother cookie. This one will be great, with or without the additions! 

Other Cake Mix Cookies to Enjoy

If you love the ease of a cake mix cookie, we’ve got plenty more where these came from. Enjoy the following: 

Easy Carrot Cake Cookies (Doctored Cake Mix)
Soft, spiced, and packed with flavor, these easy carrot cake cookies start with a cake mix and taste just like spring in cookie form.

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (Cake Mix Cookies)
Rich, fudgy, and loaded with double the chocolate, these cake mix cookies come together fast for an easy, decadent treat.

Dolly Parton Coconut Cookies with Lemon Glaze
Sweet, soft coconut cookies with a bright, tangy lemon glaze — a simple, Southern-inspired dessert Dolly herself would approve of.

Strawberry Fluffies (Strawberry Crinkle Cookies)
These pillowy-soft strawberry cookies are rolled in powdered sugar for a crinkle effect and bake up light, fluffy, and full of berry flavor.

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That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe. 

If you make this recipe and love it, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you're at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!

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About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 170 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.