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German Chocolate Cookies

The Washington Post, December 9, 2009
  • Course: Dessert
  • Features: Holiday (Christmas)

Summary:

These cookies have all the great tastes of the cake they are named for: rich chocolate, coconut and pecans.

MAKE AHEAD: The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The dough can be frozen for up to 2 months. The baked cookies can be frozen for up 2 weeks.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen

Ingredients:

  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, such as Droste
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes or shredded coconut
  • 1 cup pecans, lightly toasted, then coarsely chopped (see NOTE)
  • 4 ounces Baker's German's chocolate, coarsely chopped

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.

Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer or hand-held electric mixer. Beat on low speed to start, then on medium speed until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add the egg and then the vanilla extract, beating well between additions. Scrape down the sides of the bowl; then, on low speed, add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt; beat until everything is well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the coconut, pecans and chocolate, mixing until well combined.

Drop the dough by heaping teaspoons onto the baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. (Alternatively, the dough can be rolled into a log, then cut into thin slices.) Bake one sheet at a time for 10 to 12 minutes, until the undersides of the cookies begin to firm up. The tops may still look shiny. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

NOTE: To toast the pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and place in a 325-degree oven, shaking the sheet occasionally, for 15 minutes. Watch carefully; nuts burn quickly.

Recipe Source:

From cookbook author Sally Sampson's "Cookies" (Wiley, 2007).

Tested by Bonnie S. Benwick for The Washington Post.
E-mail the Food Section with recipe questions.

(Jonathan Ernst for The Washington Post)
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: Per cookie (based on 4 dozen)
Calories: 107
% Daily Values*
Total Fat: 7g 11
Saturated Fat: 4g 20
Cholesterol: 12mg 4
Sodium: 64mg3
Total Carbohydrates: 11g 4
Dietary Fiber: 1g 4
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 1g
*Percent Daily Value based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Total Fat: Less than65g
Saturated Fat: Less than20g
Cholesterol: Less than300mg
Sodium:Less than2,400mg
Total Carbohydrates: 300g
Dietary Fiber: 25g
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