Samoas are a popular type of cookie, especially known as one of the varieties sold by Girl Scouts in the United States. They are characterized by a delicious balance of coconut, caramel, and chocolate, often with chocolate stripes on a crispy cookie base. Classic Girl Scout Samoas are renowned for their chewy texture, which leaves a delicious lingering taste.
Girl Scout Samoas (Caramel deLites)
Name Variation
Depending on the region in the United States, these cookies may be sold as Caramel deLites® instead of Samoas®. This is because Girl Scout councils contract with one of two licensed bakers, ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers, whose recipes and ingredients may differ slightly. Some consumers note a difference in taste between Samoas and Caramel deLites.
Popularity
In a review of Girl Scout cookies, Samoas were ranked as the best, even achieving a score of 10.1 out of 10, indicating an exceptionally high preference. The reviewer stated they would buy every box if they could.
Purpose
Girl Scout cookies, including Samoas, are sold annually by girl members to fund troop activities, renovate facilities, and finance various projects. Cookie sales also inspire scenarios in media, such as Disney Channel, where girls compete to become the “best cookie seller” and win prizes like uniforms and toys.
Availability
During Girl Scout cookie season, tables covered with green tablecloths appear outside supermarkets nationwide, where sales can turn into an all-out battle for boxes of favorite cookies.
Homemade Samoas
Motivation
Homemade versions are often sought after because cravings can’t always wait for cookie season. Some people also prefer homemade cookies because they find them richer and more delicious, noting a “day and night” difference compared to the original boxed versions. Homemade cookies are generally considered healthier and more economical, allowing control over ingredients like sugar content and avoiding additives such as hydrogenated palm oil, aligning with our philosophy of cooking easy and enjoyable at home with fresh ingredients.
Common Ingredients
For the Cookie Base:
- Butter (at room temperature)
- Sugar
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- Shredded coconut (often toasted)
- Soft caramels (store-bought or homemade)
- Milk
- A pinch of salt
- Chocolate (dark chocolate is common)
Preparation Steps (General)
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Cream butter and sugar together. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture to the butter-sugar mixture, then add milk and vanilla, mixing until a smooth and pliable dough is formed. A soft, homogeneous dough will retain its shape during baking and keep cookies soft, chewy, and moist.
- Chill and Cut: The dough is typically refrigerated for about 1 hour to firm it up. It is then rolled out (e.g., to 3mm or 1/8 inch thickness) and cut into ring shapes using two different sized cookie cutters for the outer ring and the center hole.
- Bake: Cookies are baked until lightly golden, typically around 10-12 minutes at 350°F (180°C). A vegan/gluten-free recipe suggests baking at a lower temperature (250°F) for 25-30 minutes to ensure even cooking without burning. For perfect cookies crispy on the outside, remove them from the oven when the edges are golden and let them cool.
- Prepare Caramel and Coconut: Shredded coconut is toasted until golden. Soft caramels are melted with milk and salt, often in a double boiler.
- Assemble: A layer of melted caramel is spread onto the cookie base, sometimes followed by a mixture of coconut and caramel. The cookies are then dipped on the bottom into melted chocolate, and additional chocolate is drizzled over the top to create the classic look. Freezing can help harden the chocolate and caramel.
Texture and Taste of Homemade Versions
Homemade Samoas are described as having a buttery, almost crumbly cookie base, with a soft, chewy caramel coconut topping and a wonderful rich chocolate drizzle. Some homemade versions achieve a slightly crunchier shortbread, while still maintaining the “perfect” combination of date caramel, toasted coconut, and chocolate. Makers found the homemade version much richer and more delicious, a “day and night” difference compared to original boxed versions.
Variations and Dietary Needs
Vegan and gluten-free options exist, using ingredients like almond flour and maple syrup for the shortbread, Medjool dates for the caramel, toasted shredded coconut, and non-dairy dark chocolate. These versions can be stored in the refrigerator for 7-10 days or frozen for 30-60 days.
Beyond cookies, the Samoa flavor profile is adapted into other desserts such as pies, cheesecakes, truffles, rice krispie treats, and Bundt cakes.
Girl Scout Cookies themselves have diversified; as of 2021, all flavors are kosher and Halal certified, and there are also vegan and gluten-free varieties available, including Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, Lemonades, Toast-Yay!, Toffee-tastic, and Caramel Chocolate Chip.
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