This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

Germanย Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are all of the things you love about German Chocolate Cake in a cute little thumbprint cookie! A rich, chocolate shortbread with a coconut pecan frostingย and drizzled in chocolate!

If photo of one German chocolate thumbprint cookie.

Hey everyone! It’s Kelly back fromย Life Made Sweeter! Have you guys started your holiday baking yet? We’ve been busy making candy, fudge, snacks and tons of cookies to package up for our neighbors and friends.

12 German chocolate thumbprint cookies lined up and rolled garnished with walnuts and coconut.

One of our favorites we make every year are these German Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies. If you guys love german chocolate cake like we do, these are the perfect cookies to add to your list!

They have that classic combination of chocolate, coconut and pecan flavors baked up into soft, rich and chocolatey shortbread cookies.

Overhead shot of German chocolate thumbprint cookies.

What’s even better? This dough comes together in just one bowl and you don’t even have to chill it! Just perfect when you have that cookie craving and don’t want to have to wait around.

The best part for me will always be that gooey coconut pecan frosting. I mean seriously, that amazing frosting gets me every time! You can top it on just about anything and I would be in heaven! Plus that melty chocolate drizzleย is just theย perfect way to tie everything together.

German chocolate thumbprint cookies on a parchment paper with shreds of coconut and chopped walnuts.

These delicious cookies have everything that you love about german chocolate cake and are sure to be the star of any holiday cookie platter!

One German chocolate thumbprint cookie with a bite taken out of it.

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

German Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

By: Kelly Kwok
All the things that you love about the classic German Chocolate Cake in a cute little thumbprint cookie! A rich, chocolate shortbread crust with a coconut pecan frosting and drizzled in chocolate!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 22 cookies

Ingredients 

Frosting

Chocolate Drizzle

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand mixer on medium speed, whisk the ยฝ cup softened unsalted butter, โ…” cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and ยผ teaspoon salt until the mixture is smooth, don't over-mix.
  • Add in the 1 large egg, and 2 tablespoons milk and mix until combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Turn the mixer to low and slowly mix in the 2 tablespoons cornstarch, ยฝ teaspoon baking powder, โ…“ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1 ยผ cups all-purpose flour, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  • Continue mixing, adding flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough gathers itself into a ball and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. (You may only need 1-2 tablespoons)
  • Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Make an indentation in the center of each cookie with your thumb or a teaspoon.
  • Bake the cookies for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are just dry. (do not overbake as the cookies will continue cooking while cooling). Remove from oven and allow cookies to sit for 5 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting:

  • Add the ยฝ cup heavy cream, โ…“ cup packed light brown sugar, and ยผ cup unsalted butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer, it should bubble and thicken into a caramel sauce (about 6-7 minutes - do not continuously stir or the mixture will not thicken). Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract, ยฝ cup sweetened shredded coconut and ยฝ cup chopped pecans. Let cool slightly.
  • Fill the center of each cookie with about 1 teaspoon of the frosting. Melt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and drizzle on top of the cookies. Allow to set.

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 40mgPotassium: 117mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 291IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Kelly Kwok

Kelly is the blogger behind Life Made Sweeter. She is a self-taught baker and loves using her slow cooker. You can often find her in the kitchen dreaming up tasty new dishes that are quick and easy to make for her family. She also enjoys adding a fun and healthy twist to many classic favorites.

More Ideas

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




3 Comments