Homemade Samoa Cookie Bars Recipe Irresistible Girl Scout Twist

Cookie lovers often dream about the magical samoas girl scout cookies that dance with caramel and coconut.

My latest kitchen adventure involves recreating this beloved classic right in our home sweet space.

Chocolate-drizzled rings packed with toasted coconut promise nostalgic delight for anyone who adores these iconic treats.

Sweet memories of childhood fundraisers sparked my determination to master this recipe.

Crisp shortbread bases await their delectable transformation with each carefully crafted step.

Baking these cookies lets you channel your inner pastry chef while connecting to a cherished tradition.

Venture into this delicious project and watch magic unfold in your kitchen.

What Makes Homemade Samoas Taste Even Better Than Store-Bought

• Recreate classic Girl Scout Samoas with personal kitchen magic.
• Whip up these cookies in just over an hour, perfect for spontaneous baking adventures.
• Transform store-bought memories into fresh, customized cookies that taste even better than the original.
• Master a multi-step recipe that looks professionally crafted, boosting your baking confidence with each delicious batch.

Ingredients Needed for DIY Samoas Girl Scout Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential base for creating a crumbly, tender shortbread cookie with delicate texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth, creamy cookie dough.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown cookie surface.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, deep flavor to enhance the overall cookie taste.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the other flavors in the cookie.

• Shredded Coconut: Creates classic Samoas texture with a toasty, nutty flavor profile.
• Caramels: Provides sticky, sweet coating that binds coconut and adds signature Samoas taste.
• Heavy Cream or Milk: Helps melt caramels smoothly and creates a silky coating.

• Chocolate Chips: Delivers rich chocolate coating and classic Samoas finishing touch.

Notes for chocolate: Dark or semi-sweet chocolate works best for authentic flavor. Milk chocolate can be used for sweeter version.

Step-by-Step Method for Baking Samoas at Home

Step 1: Create Buttery Base

• Mix butter and sugar until fluffy
• Stir in vanilla extract
• Gradually blend flour and salt
• Knead into smooth dough
• Roll out on floured surface
• Cut circular shapes with center holes
• Place on parchment-lined baking sheet
• Bake until edges turn golden
• Cool completely

Step 2: Transform Coconut

• Spread shredded coconut on baking sheet
• Roast in oven, stirring periodically
• Watch carefully to prevent burning
• Achieve deep golden color

Step 3: Craft Caramel Coating

• Combine caramels, milk, salt
• Microwave in short intervals
• Stir until completely melted
• Create smooth, glossy mixture

Step 4: Combine Coconut and Caramel

• Fold toasted coconut into caramel
• Mix thoroughly
• Spread over cookie bases
• Allow topping to slightly set

Step 5: Chocolate Finale

• Melt chocolate chips
• Dip cookie bottoms in melted chocolate
• Place on parchment paper
• Drizzle additional chocolate on tops

Step 6: Final Presentation

• Let cookies set at room temperature
• Alternatively, chill in refrigerator
• Store in sealed container
• Enjoy within one week

Tips That Help Create Perfect Samoas Texture

• Precision Matters: Use a kitchen scale for accurate flour measurements to ensure consistent cookie texture and prevent dry or crumbly shortbread.
• Customize Coconut Toasting: Stir coconut frequently during toasting to achieve even golden-brown color and prevent burning, which can create bitter flavors.
• Caramel Control: Microwave caramel in short intervals and stir thoroughly to prevent overheating and maintain a smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Chocolate Drizzling Technique: Use a small spoon or piping bag for clean, professional-looking chocolate drizzles across the cookies, creating an elegant finish.
• Storage Savvy: Keep cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain crispness and prevent sticking for up to one week at room temperature.

Smart Storage for Freshly Baked Samoas

• Store cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep them fresh for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing quality or taste.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving to maintain their crisp texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore their original crispness and bring out the rich flavors.

Beverages and Treats to Enjoy with Samoas

• Brew a smooth, medium-roast coffee with a touch of vanilla creamer to complement the rich chocolate and caramel flavors of the Samoas.
• Select a late-harvest Riesling or Moscato, whose sweet notes beautifully balance the cookie's coconut and chocolate elements.
• Blend vanilla ice cream with a splash of almond extract and chopped toasted almonds to echo the cookie's toasted coconut and create a luxurious pairing.
• Sip on a smooth chocolate liqueur like Godiva or Bailey's, which intensifies the cookie's chocolate drizzle and caramel undertones.

Flavorful Variations on the Samoas Classic

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the texture remains similar to the original shortbread base. Add xanthan gum for better binding and structure.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter for coconut oil or plant-based margarine. Use dairy-free caramel sauce and dark chocolate without milk solids. Replace milk with almond or coconut milk when melting caramels.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia in the shortbread. Use sugar-free caramel sauce and dark chocolate with minimal added sugars. Consider using unsweetened shredded coconut to reduce overall sweetness.
• Keto-Friendly Modification: Create a coconut flour-based cookie base. Replace traditional caramel with a sugar-free caramel alternative made from sugar-free sweeteners and heavy cream. Use high-percentage dark chocolate with no added sugars.

Homemade Samoas Girl Scout Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Homemade samoas bring Girl Scout cookie magic right into kitchen with caramel-drizzled coconut rings dipped in rich chocolate. Crisp shortbread cookies dressed in toasted coconut and silky caramel create an irresistible treat you cannot resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shortbread Cookies:

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Topping Ingredients:

• 2 cups (170 grams) shredded sweetened coconut
• 15 ounces (425 grams) soft caramels (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) milk or heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft the shortbread foundation by combining softened butter and sugar until silky, then gently incorporate vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
2. Fold in flour and salt gradually, transforming the mixture into a cohesive dough that holds together smoothly.
3. Dust work surface with flour and roll dough to approximately quarter-inch thickness, creating uniform circular bases with delicate center openings using precision cookie cutters.
4. Transfer shaped cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring gentle golden edges through careful twelve-minute baking at moderate temperature.
5. While cookies cool, transform shredded coconut into golden, fragrant morsels through careful oven-toasting, stirring intermittently to prevent scorching.
6. Create luxurious caramel sauce by gradually melting caramel fragments with cream, developing a velvety, smooth consistency through gentle microwave technique.
7. Harmoniously blend toasted coconut into warm caramel, creating a rich, textured coating that will adhere beautifully to shortbread foundations.
8. Generously spread caramel-coconut mixture across cooled cookie surfaces, allowing slight setting time for optimal adherence.
9. Melt chocolate chips into glossy, smooth liquid through careful microwave intervals, stirring consistently to prevent burning.
10. Immerse cookie bottoms into molten chocolate, creating elegant dipped bases, then artfully drizzle remaining chocolate across cookie tops.
11. Allow cookies to solidify at ambient temperature or within refrigerator, ensuring chocolate sets completely before storing in sealed container.

Notes

• Flour Selection Matters: Use all-purpose flour for a classic texture, or swap with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly cookies that maintain a similar crumbly shortbread base.
• Coconut Toasting Technique: Watch coconut closely during toasting, stirring every minute to ensure even golden-brown color without burning, which can make the flavor bitter and unpleasant.
• Caramel Consistency Tip: If caramel becomes too thick, add a tiny splash of milk or cream to restore smooth spreadability, preventing clumpy or hard-to-apply topping.
• Chocolate Drizzling Hack: Use a squeeze bottle or zip-lock bag with a tiny corner snipped for precise, professional-looking chocolate lines across the cookie surface.

• Prep Time: 12 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg