![A grid of homemade Samoas on a baking sheet.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 2048 1365"></svg>)
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Hi Bold Bakers!
WHAT YOU GET: A shortbread cookie, dipped in chocolate and topped with toasted coconut that you think about all year long, just like the iconic cookies you would get from the Girl Scouts.
While I fully think you should support your local Girl Scout troop and buy a few boxes — the money is used to fund local education programs and community projects or is donated — I also highly endorse making this recipe when you can’t. After all, not everyone knows someone in a troop, and Girl Scout Cookie Season only lasts about six to eight weeks a year. The rest of the time these cookies are totally fair game!
While there is some debate on which Girl Scout cookie is the best, it usually comes down to two teams: Thin Mint versus Samoas/Caramel deLites. (Why not both?) Today, I’d love to show you how I make homemade copycat Girl Scout Samoas. Check back here soon to get a link to my Thin Mints as well.
These addictive cookies are made with a shortbread cookie, dipped in chocolate, and then topped with toasted coconut. They are a bit of a project — but so worth it!
What Type Of Caramel Should I Use For Copycat Samoas?
I love to use my Homemade Chewy Caramels for this recipe. The texture is out of this world, and I love the sweet-to-salt ratio for that recipe. If you’re not in the mood to mess around with caramel (and don’t bother if it is too humid, you may end up so frustrated you will never try again), store-bought is fine. Kraft Baking Caramels (soft caramels) are great for baking and are available in your baking or candy aisle.
It won’t have that high-quality homemade taste, but it’ll work just fine.
![A close up of homemade Samoas.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1365 2048"></svg> "Homemade Samoa’s drizzled in chocolate.")
What Type Of Cookies Are Samoas?
The base of Girl Scout Samoas cookies is shortbread. It’s a buttery, almost crumbly cookie that pairs perfectly with caramel and coconut. It’d be easy to make these cookies way too sweet, but the cookie itself and the bitter chocolate really do a great balancing act. You can learn more about Shortbread Cookies here.
What Type Of Chocolate Should I Use To Make Homemade Samoas?
For my recipe, I’m using semisweet chocolate; however, if you have more of a sweet tooth, you could use milk chocolate. Likewise, if you prefer darker chocolate, feel free to use that as well — it will go perfectly with the sweet coconut and caramel.
Tools You Need To Make Homemade Samoas
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Stand mixer or handheld electric mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- 2-inch (5-cm) round cookie cutter
- ½-inch (12 mm) round cutter
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Homemade Samoas
- The end of a piping tip can be used to make the center holes in the cookies if you don’t have a ½-inch (12 mm) cutter. But, for an equally delicious but less authentic shape, you can keep these cookies whole (without the center cut out). The cookies will still bake up fine!
- Sweetened coconut will burn easily and quickly when toasting in the oven — be sure to check and stir frequently!
- I made my own Homemade Chewy Caramels for this recipe. But you can use store-bought soft caramel candy if you don’t have time to make the homemade candy.
- Dipping the entire cookie in chocolate is necessary — the caramel topping won’t stick to the cookie without the chocolate.
- The tiny amount of oil in the chocolate will keep the chocolate from drying too hard or blooming after setting, but it will set a bit softer than chocolate melted without oil — so be sure to serve with napkins handy!
Don’t Miss More Cookie Recipes:
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