Let me start by saying Happy 4th of July! I am so thankful for the freedoms we are afforded by living in the United States of America and just want to say thank you to all of the men and women who have and still are fighting for our country. I do have to say that being a Public Safety Dispatcher the 4th of July means something way different to me than it does to the majority of our population. To begin with it is another work day, it is not a day off or a holiday. All of those in public safety will be working providing crowd control, traffic control, enforcement, firework suppression, yada, yada, yada. And let me just say that it is not only another work day it is right up there with one of two worse days of the year to work, the other being New Years Eve. Because for some glorious reason a lot of people use the 4th of July as an excuse to get crazy ass drunk, do stupid shit and fight each other, so much for brotherly love, ay. Anyway 4th of July is by far one of the busiest days of the year for my profession, usually providing plenty of entertainment with loud party calls, fireworks calls, fights, fires, etc. So to the men and women in my profession be safe and don't worry in another 24hrs it will all be over for yet another year.



Seeing as it is a busy holiday for us we always try to bring food and do something festive at work to celebrate our country. Since I am working tonight from 2pm-2am I have decided to bring in German Chocolate Cookies, however the description does not do them justice. They are German Chocolate cookies sandwiched with coconut pecan frosting. Holy yum!!

Now the first question I had when I came across this recipe was, what is the difference between a sandwich cookie and a whoopie pie? So a whoopie pie is traditionally a chocolate cookie with a white marshmallow filling, where as a sandwich cookie can pretty much be any type of cookie with any type of filling. Good to know, right? I also have to share this other random tid bit I learned, did you know that the whoopie pie originated in Pennsylvania with the Amish? I guess I was just a little surprised because the name is so sassy, however since they started around the 1930's my guess is that the meaning was probably a bit more mundane and non-sexual at that point. Who would have thunk!


So this recipe is also pretty much a one bowl wonder, which I love, as many of you know. This recipe came from a Sandra Lee cookbook and although she isn't one of my all time favorites, I do love that her recipes are easy, quick and take a ton of shortcuts!


In a mixing bowl, combine the German chocolate cake mix, chocolate milk (I drank the leftover, heaven), melted butter and egg. Mix for 1 minute and then stir in the pecan pieces and chocolate chips.



Once the cookies have cooled, spread the coconut pecan frosting on one side and sandwich them together. Instant festive goodness!! Love!


Here is the recipe:

1 pkg (18.25oz) German chocolate cake mix, Sandra Lee recommends Betty Crocker, which I also used and it worked great.
1/3 cup chocolate milk
** Did you know that chocolate milk is supposed to be a great recovery drink after a run? Love facts like that that help support the habits I love **
1/2 stick butter, melted (1/4 cup)
1 egg
1 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
** I actually used bittersweet and I like the contrast in sweetness and bitter chocolate flavors but that is just me **
1/2 cup coconut pecan frosting
** But seriously who measures the frosting? I have never had someone complain because there is too much frosting **

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 cookie sheets with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, chocolate milk, melted butter, and egg; beat with electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips. Drop 2 tablespoon portions of the cookie dough onto prepared cookie sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.

3. Bake in a preheated oven for 12-14 minutes or just until set in center, rotating cookie sheets halfway through the baking time. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.

4. Spread 1 T of the coconut pecan frosting on the bottom of a cookie; top with another cookie; bottom side down. Repeat to make 10 cookie sandwiches.

Let me just say these cookies are decadent! I love chocolate and I love coconut so the combination is a winner! The cookies are moist and chewy and the frosting is sweet and delicious! This is definitely a fun recipe and it's perfect for any party/celebration/get together!

Enjoy your Independence Day and Be Safe! Cheers!