The Girl Scouts Cookie season is over, but that doesn't mean you can't make your own Samoas! This recipe will teach you how to make your very own Homemade Samoas with coconut, caramel, chocolate, and all the things you love about the beloved Girl Scout Cookies. These homemade versions are so much better than store bought because they're loaded with even more delicious ingredients. No matter what time of year it is, make these for a special treat!
Homemade Samoas
The time has finally come. I can no longer justify $5 - $6 for a box of Girl Scout cookies when the amount in the box keeps getting smaller and smaller. So this year, I am determined to learn how to make all my favorites. Then I can have copycat Girl Scout Cookies all year round. Although I know moderation is key...right?!? I've been testing Homemade Samoas all week long. I've tried to restrain, but even on the recipes that didn't make the final cut, they were still pretty good. It's really hard to go wrong with coconut, caramel, and chocolate. Oh and a cookie! Samoas quickly became my favorite girl scout cookie and have been ever since they came out. Although thin mints are a close second. What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?
My challenge with these was that I have access to some pretty high quality products. So I did do a batch of gourmet Samoas. I used a caramel recipe from my chocolate shop and dipped the cookies in Valrhona chocolates. But I figured since most people don't have access to those ingredients, I would go with basic grocery store items that everyone should be able to acquire. I will say there is a difference in taste. But as one would expect, I don't think most people expect an artisan bonbon to taste like something from Hershey's. I'm sure you know what I mean and I am certain you will love these easy homemade Samoas. But I will say those gourmet Samoas are the real deal! If you have access to higher quality ingredients, by all means, I'd say use them.
Samoas Ingredients
This is basically a buttery shortbread cookie topped with toasted caramel and coconut creation with a chocolate drizzle. This recipe is a lot easier than you might think and it uses basic pantry ingredients.
- Butter
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Shredded sweetened coconut
- Caramel (store-bought) - Or you could make your own chewy caramel
- Dark chocolate - make sure to use your favorite delicious chocolate
How to Make Homemade Samoas
The homemade samoas cookies are super simple. It's your basic cookie, a lot of butter mixed with flour and sugar type of cookie. The key to this is to not overcook the cookies. When I say pale golden brown, that's what I mean. Any longer and you just get a crunchy crumbly cookie that can work, but isn't the best choice.
The coconut layer is quite easy. The key here is to not burn the coconut when toasting it. Shredded coconut is one of those things that goes from perfect to burnt in a matter of seconds. In my oven I cooked the coconut for 15 minutes and stirred it every 3 minutes. Everyone's oven is different. So keep an eye on it. Your coconut may be done in 10 minutes instead of 15. You are looking for that golden browned color. Not burnt.
Now for the dark chocolate. Here is where you don't want to skimp. You only need 12 ounces, so get the best you can afford to get. Dark chocolate chips will work, but so will a couple of bars of your favorite artisan chocolate at your grocery store.
Tips for Samoas Success
- Use whole milk in the recipe.
- Keep an eye on the coconut, it goes from golden brown to burnt in seconds.
- Make sure the cookie is chilled before attempting the dip in the chocolate. The chocolate will set up on a cold cookie much quicker.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
So if you loved our recipe, or find that Homemade Samoas are not your cookie of choice, you might want to try these other recipes:
I hope you enjoy these Easy Homemade Samoas as much as I do, they are quickly becoming my new favorite recipe. Please let us know how the recipe worked out for you.
Make at Home Samoas
Ingredients
Cookies
Recipe adapted from Instructables.
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup) at room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Coconut Topping
- 3 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- 20 ounces store bought caramel
- 4 tablespoons milk
- 12 ounces dark chocolate
Instructions
Make the cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350° F
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the creamed butter, mixing between each addition and being sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the milk and vanilla and blend together to combine.
- Once combined, remove dough from mixer and separate dough in half. Press each half into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about an hour.
- Once the dough has chilled, roll out each disk on a lightly floured surface until it is about ⅛" thick. Cut out as many cookies as possible with a doughnut cutter or use two cookie cutters of different sizes to get the hole in the middle. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the cookies for 10 - 15 minutes until they are pale golden brown. Transfer cookies onto a wire rack to cool.
Coconut topping
- Spread the coconut onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the coconut for 10 - 15 minutes in a 350° oven until toasted. Stir frequently to make sure the coconut does not burn.
- Once done, remove from oven to cool.
- Melt the caramels and milk in a double boiler over medium-low heat. Stir until fully melted. Remove from heat and combine ½ of the melted caramel with the toasted coconut in a large bowl. Stir until mixed.
- Use the remaining caramel to spread a thin layer onto the cookies. You will want to move quickly through this step so the caramel does not cool. Use your hands, and press the coconut mixture onto the caramel. And remember you are looking for the perfect ratio of cookie to toppings, so don't overdo it with the caramel and coconut.
- Let the cookie cool.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler. Once melted dip the bottom of the cookie into the chocolate and place them on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Use a piping bag (if you don’t have one, a ziploc bag will work with a corner cut off) to drizzle the remaining chocolate on the top of the cookies.
- Let the cookies sit until the chocolate hardens.
Notes
Nutrition
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Brianna says
Samoas are my favorite girl scout cookie and these turned out even better than the original!
Oscar says
These were delicious. I made a batch to bring to a family picnic and everyone devoured them.
Kayla DiMaggio says
I love a good, clean copycat recipe and these samoas totally hit the spot!
serena says
Thanks Kayla!
Jean says
It looks so decadent! Never tried it before and now Im keen to make them in the kitchen. Thanks for your recipe.
serena says
Enjoy 🙂
Elizabeth says
These cookies are just so delicious! Would have never thought to make them at hone but I’m so glad I did!
Jere Cassidy says
These cookies look amazing and are easier to make than I thought. Can't wait to make these treats.
serena says
Enjoy 🙂
Amy says
I love samoas, what a great idea to do a homemade version! These look delicious!
serena says
Thanks Amy 🙂
Erin Gierhart says
These are better than the original! So very good!
serena says
Thanks Erin!
Ahna schmid says
I will be making these soon.I did,nt realize they are this easy.thanks
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
I'm so excited about this recipe! I can't get enough of these delicious cookies, but they're only sold for such a short time each year. Now I can have them whenever I want!
serena says
Me too Rachel. Although now that I have eaten so many of them, I'm putting them in the dangerous category. Can't stop eating them!
Allison says
My mom would love these (she LOVES coconut)
serena says
They are so simple to make Allison! Mothers day is coming up 🙂
Greta says
These look so yummy! I can't wait to try!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
serena says
Thanks Greta!
Lauren says
I am right there with you with the whole not wanting to spend $5 on a box of cookies thing! This more gourmet version looks totally awesome. I will definitely have to save for later and try it out!
serena says
Thanks Lauren! They are definitely simple to make and a crowd pleaser.
Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder says
THESE ARE MY FAV (well tied with Thin Mints). Coconuut, chocolate, and caramel = win. Thanks for the recipe - much cheaper hehe
serena says
I know what you mean Natalie! It's a debate that seems to go on for years...thin mints or samoas. Thin mint recipe is definitely coming in the future.
Alisha says
OMG! Those cookies look so good! Thanks for sharing, will have to try this!
serena says
They are so easy Alisha! Let us know how they turn out
Sarah says
Those look delicious!
serena says
Thanks Sarah!
Jen | A Sip of Bliss says
Samoas are my favorite. These look so good!
serena says
Thanks so much Jen 🙂
B.B. Free says
Just had half a box of these in one sitting. The addiction is real!
serena says
Oh yes it is!
Mikayda says
I'm so excited to try these. More simple than I expected - which means they will probably be perfect. Thank you!
serena says
They are so easy. Which makes them kinda dangerous... I can't eat just one!
Sofia says
these look amazing 😀
serena says
Thank Sofia!