These No-Bake German Chocolate Cheesecakes are amazingly delicious, easy to make, and will bring your friends & family a whole lot of cheer.
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These No-Bake German Chocolate Cheesecakes are amazingly delicious, easy to make, and will bring your friends & family a whole lot of cheer. With a chocolate cake at the bottom, topped with a No-Bake German Chocolate Cheesecake, toasted coconut, and pecans, and topped off with caramel sauce, German Chocolate Cake just got better in a way I didn’t even think possible.
This holiday season I was thinking why not delight my family & friends with homemade presents, edible ones presented cutely in half-pint sized Mason jars. These No-Bake German Chocolate Cheesecakes are what I came up with. Not only is this recipe easy to make and to assemble, but also frugal and festive. They’re perfect for any get together. Using half-pint sized Mason jars and several Kraft products, these “presents” have all the traditional flavors of a German Chocolate Cake.
But friends, this recipe is easier. I am about to say something I never thought I would – these are even better than traditional German Chocolate Cake. Why? Because of its ease and layers of flavors. And trust me, I consider myself a connoisseur when it comes to German Chocolate Cake, as I come from a long line of German Chocolate Cake lovers.
I love the holiday season. Christmas shopping may be one of my favorite things to do. But as much as I love it, it can become overwhelming and expensive. So this year, I thought why not have our gifts to friends and neighbors be a dessert that our family loves that others can enjoy and easily replicate at any other time of year.
Since I have more digital neighbors than physical ones, here’s a step by step recipe on how to make & assemble these adorable No-Bake German Chocolate Cheesecakes. If you’re like me, you want a one-stop-shop where you can pick all of the ingredients up. Check out your local Walmart. I got everything there: the Mason jars, Bakers Coconut, Bakers Chocolate, Kraft Cream Cheese and Cool Whip.
If you love this idea of gifts in a jar and would like some more ideas, check out the Cooking Up Good website. It has recipes, sweepstakes, loyalty programs, coupons, and more! What’s not to love? If you’re looking for a new dinner idea or a chance to win some awesome prizes, be sure to check it out!
Why not spread holiday cheer with something made from the heart, like these No-Bake German Chocolate Cheesecakes in a Jar.
Happy Holidays from my family to yours! XOXO San
How do you make No-Bake German Chocolate Cheesecakes?
Cupcakes
- Mix all ingredients together until moist and well blended. Place 9 cupcakes liners in a cupcake pan.
- Add batter until about 2/3 full. Place in oven for 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- Remove from oven once cupcakes are completely cooked, and cool on baking rack. Set aside until completely cooled. In the meantime, make your cheesecake layer.
Cheesecake Layer
- In a small mixing bowl or large glass measuring cup, melt chocolate in microwave for 1 minute. Stir until completely melted. You may need to microwave it for another 30 seconds. Set aside and cool to room temp, or cool to the touch.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and chocolate in a medium mixing bowl until smooth. Stir in Cool Whip until mixture is well combined. Leave in mixing bowl and set in the fridge until ready to assemble.
Toasted Pecans & Coconut
- While you are still waiting for the cupcakes to completely cool, toast the coconut and pecans. This is essential! Otherwise, the raw coconut will over-power the rest of the ingredients.
- Set your oven on low broil, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add coconut to the pan on top of the parchment paper, and set in the oven and bake until most of the coconut is a golden brown. Mine took 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully to not burn. Leaving the coconut on the parchment paper, slide the parchment paper of the pan, and let the coconut cool.
- Line the baking sheet with another piece of parchment paper, add the pecans to the pan on top of the parchment paper, and set in the oven and bake until most of the pecan are a dark shade of brown. Mine took 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully to not burn. Watch these carefully, checking every couple of minutes. Leaving the pecans on the parchment paper, slide the parchment paper off the pan and let the pecans cool. Once they are cooled, chop the pecans into pieces, and set aside.
Assembly
- Take 9 half-pint sized mason jars, remove lids, and set them aside.
- Remove cupcakes from their wrappers and push one cupcake at the bottom of each Mason jar. I then take a fork and smash it around a bit, to break up the cupcake. This is totally optional – I just like the way it looks.
- Top the cupcake layer with about 1/4 of a cup of the cheesecake, it doesn’t have to be exact. I do this with a piping bag (you could use a Ziploc bag with a clipped corner). Start off with small amounts, then come back and add more if there’s leftover.
- Top the cheesecake layer with toasted pecans – add as many as you would like to each jar. I added about 2 tablespoons to each one.
- Once you have added the pecans to each jar, top with the toasted coconut – about 2-3 tablespoons.
- Finish off by drizzling caramel over the toasted coconut – about 1 tablespoon of caramel, but more if desired.
- Serve immediately or set in the fridge until ready to eat. If you are going to set them in the fridge for longer than 15 minutes, wait to drizzle the caramel over the top, otherwise, it gets hard.
Looking for some other German Chocolate ideas for the holidays? Check out some of my favorites: German Chocolate Cake Cookie Bars, German Chocolate Cake Donut Holes, German Chocolate Cupcakes, German Chocolate Upside Down Pumpkin Pie
Don’t forget to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!
Kids review: These were a huge hit not only with my kids, but my husband too! He loves, loves, loves these German Chocolate Cake Cheesecake jars.
No Bake German Chocolate Cheesecakes
Ingredients
Cupcake Layer
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
Cheesecake Layer
- 8 ounces Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- 1 container Cool Whip
- 4 ounces Bakers German Chocolate
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
Toppings
- 2 cups coconut
- 1 1/2 cups whole pecans
- 9 tablespoons caramel sauce
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Mix all ingredients together until moist and well blended. Place 9 cupcakes liners in a cupcake pan.
- Add batter until about 2/3 full. Place in oven for 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- Remove from oven once cupcakes are completely cooked, and cool on baking rack. Set aside until completely cooled. In the meantime, make your cheesecake layer.
Cheesecake Layer
- In a small mixing bowl or large glass measuring cup, melt chocolate in microwave for 1 minute. Stir until completely melted. You may need to microwave it for another 30 seconds. Set aside and cool to room temp, or cool to the touch.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and chocolate in medium mixing bowl until smooth. Stir in Cool Whip until mixture is well combined. Leave in mixing bowl and set in the fridge until ready to assemble.
Toasted Pecans & Coconut
- While you are still waiting for the cupcakes to completely cool, toast the coconut and pecans. This is essential! Otherwise, the raw coconut will over-power the rest of the ingredients.
- Set your oven on low broil, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add coconut to the pan on top of the parchment paper, and set in the oven and bake until most of the coconut is a golden brown. Mine took 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully to not burn. Leaving the coconut on the parchment paper, slide the parchment paper of the pan, and let the coconut cool.
- Line the baking sheet with another piece of parchment paper, add the pecans to the pan on top of the parchment paper, and set in the oven and bake until most of the pecan are a dark shade of brown. Mine took 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully to not burn. Watch these carefully, checking every couple of minutes. Leaving the pecans on the parchment paper, slide the parchment paper of the pan and let the pecans cool. Once they are cooled, chop the pecans into pieces, and set aside.
Assembly
- Take 9 half-pint sized mason jars, remove lids, and set them aside.
- Remove cupcakes from their wrappers and push one cupcake at the bottom of each Mason jar. I then take a fork and smash it around a bit, to break up the cupcake. This is totally optional - I just like the way it looks.
- Top the cupcake layer with about 1/4 of a cup of the cheesecake, it doesn't have to be exact. I do this with a piping bag (you could use a ziploc bag with a clipped corner). Start off with small amounts, then come back and add more if there's leftover.
- Top the cheesecake layer with toasted pecans - add as many as you would like to each jar. I added about 2 tablespoons to each one.
- Once you have added the pecans to each jar, top with the toasted coconut - about 2-3 tablespoons.
- Finish off by drizzling caramel over the toasted coconut - about 1 tablespoon of caramel, but more if desired.
- Serve immediately or set in the fridge until ready to eat. If you are going to set them in the fridge for longer than 15 minutes, wait to drizzle the caramel over the top, otherwise it gets hard.
- Enjoy!
That sounds heavenly. I need to get the ingredients so I can make this SOON.
Oooo I gotta try that one. Looks easy and tasty.
Looks so easy and really delicious! My mom’s favorite cake is German Chocolate so I may have to make her this for Christmas. What a wonderful homemade gift. She would love it!
You had me at the words “German Chocolate Cake” and “no bake”. Yum!
That’s just about the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I’d love to get this as a gift.
Delicious and easy are two of my biggies when it comes to recipes, and it doesn’t get much easier than no bake. Thanks!
This is awesome! I love rich and delish desserts, but even better when it is no bake!
Shoot – forget the cupcake and just give me the cheesecake layer. I love anything with coconut, so these will be on my list of goodies for this year. Thanks!
Okay, now this is a fabulous recipe. It sounds and looks delicious. Thank you so much for sharing…
Sounds good to me. Your photos look amazing and I wishI had one of those cups in front of me right now.
These look like cute little gift ideas!
All I can say is that there is nothing that can keep me away from this…lol! It looks heavenly.
OK I want to try this. I love anything that has the word cheesecake in it and I see no bake which is even more awesome!
What an incredibly delicious desert! I’m a huge cheesecake fan and there is nothing that can beat chocolate!
my dad’s favorite cake is german chocolate and we will see him over break, I need to bring along this recipe I know he would love it.
I bet these were a HUGE hit in your house. What a neat way to show appreciation for someone during the holidays.
If I make these do I have to give them away?! They look heavenly.
Oh my word this is so yummy looking. I love anything chocolate and german chocolate cake s the best.
For a minute I thought these were a milkshake with the straws in the picture! These would make a great teacher gift.
Oh my gosh, this looks AMAZING. Wow–I’m dying to try it!
This looks so good. I can not wait to make some this weekend when i do my Holiday baking.
This is amazing, I need this in my life. I love that you can make them in glass jars.
I’m not a big coconut lover but I’d definitely give this a try! I love how it’s no bake, too 🙂
Um, yum! Definitely pinning this for later! What a delicious gift idea!
I love cheesecake!! These would make a great dessert!
Wow, that looks delicious. And so easy to make!
Okay, this looks super crazy. German chocolate cake is my dads fave, I have to make this for him.
I like the idea of dessert in a jar. From a purely aesthetic perspective it is a wonderful idea.
This sounds amazing! I love any kind of cheesecake!
I love no bake desserts. German chocolate cheesecake sounds delightful!
I have never had german chocolate cheesecake, but I bet it is delicious! I will need to try this recipe out!
You had me at no bake, I love cheesecake with a passion!
Love the idea of no bake cheesecake!
I like German Chocolate Cake. And I like Cheesecake. Therefore, the probability of me liking German Chocolate Cheesecake is very high!!
What an awesome idea! Anyone would be thrilled to get this as a gift! Pinning and sharing!
I love quick and easy desserts that look like they took forever to make….I am adding this one to my list to use to impress the relatives this holiday season 🙂
Those look so sweet and delicious! I would love to make them for my family!
My goodness this looks absolutely amazing! I wish I had some right now, I would totally eat one!!!!
These sound completely incredible! So delicious!
I love gifts in a jar and this looks delicious!!
Gifts in a jar are so much fun (especially for people like me who can in jars! I love getting them with my gift!) I would definitely like to find one of these under my tree. I <3 cheesecake!
Oh wow, this looks amazing! We are fans of both cheesecake and German chocolate cake but I never thought of combining both! I think this would no-bake recipe would go over great with my family!
These look amazing! I am a total chocolate fanatic, and know plenty of others… so I will definitely be trying this out 🙂
My mom’s favorite cake is German Chocolate cake – I think I will make these for her for a stocking stuffer!
Wow! These sound and look amazing!! They would make cute little gifts too 🙂
This looks so good! I love German chocolate desserts!
This just moved to the top of my must try list! My mom loves German chocolate and cheesecake, so I will need to make this when I am over there sometime for dinner.
These would be amazing on New Year’s Eve or day for my family. I love coconut and so do my nieces. I’m definitely trying them out. Yummy!!
I love the idea of this dessert. However, the giftability is rather amazing and looks so cute!
Holy cow that looks beyond delicious! Yum!
This looks amazing! That picture of the drizzling caramel… totally sold that I need to make this! YUM! #client
Perfect for gifts in my office! I do love anything in a mason jar!
This is fabulous! I know my chocolate addicts in home will certainly be happy if i make and master this recipe. Appreciate the share and idea, will probably make it up during holiday break as I have two weeks with four kids to tend to 🙂
Oh my this looks delish !!! Nothing beats a simple no bake yummy dessert !!! Our little guy who just turned 3 loves to help out with “cooking” this is one of those perfect recipes he can help with !! Thanks for sharing and very detailed with the pictures I love that !!
Did I miss something. Says NO BAKE German chocolate cheesecake but you do bake it in the oven. How can that be ?
Maybe confusing, I can understand why – you don’t bake the cheesecake. So the cheesecake is no-bake. Hope that helps.
HI, could you make these ahead of time and freeze them??? with out caramel sauce???
Diana – I haven’t tried this. Sorry I can’t let you know how it does. xo San
What size container of cool whip?
8 ounces