Embark on a sweet journey with these delectable Samoa Sugar Cookies. Inspired by the beloved Girl Scout cookie, this homemade version combines a tender sugar cookie base, lush caramel frosting, and a sprinkle of toasted coconut, all drizzled with rich chocolate.
Most of the ingredients for Samoa Sugar Cookies are common baking staples, except perhaps for cake flour and all vegetable shortening. Cake flour is a finely milled flour that gives the cookies a delicate, tender crumb. If you can't find it, you can substitute it with a mix of all-purpose flour and cornstarch. The all vegetable shortening, on the other hand, contributes to the cookies' light texture. You can find both in the baking aisle at the supermarket.
Delightful Ingredients for Samoa Sugar Cookies
Cake flour: A finely milled flour that gives the cookies a delicate, tender crumb.
Cornstarch: Helps in achieving a soft and thick cookie texture.
Baking powder: A leavening agent that makes the cookies rise.
Salt: Balances the sweetness of the cookies.
Unsalted butter: Adds rich flavor to the cookies.
All vegetable shortening: Contributes to the cookies' light texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together.
Egg white: Aids in achieving a light and fluffy texture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookies.
Salted butter: Used in the caramel frosting for added flavor.
Caramel sauce: Gives the frosting a sweet, caramel flavor.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
Milk: Thins out the frosting to the right consistency.
Chocolate chips: Melted for the chocolate drizzle.
Heavy cream: Helps in melting the chocolate chips smoothly.
Coconut: Toasted and sprinkled on top for a tropical twist.
One reader, Jess Raymond says:
These Samoa sugar cookies are a game-changer! The combination of caramel frosting, chocolate drizzle, and toasted coconut creates a heavenly treat. The cookies are soft and buttery, and the flavors are perfectly balanced. I highly recommend this recipe for anyone with a sweet tooth!
Techniques Required for Making Samoa Sugar Cookies
How to prepare the cookie dough: Combine the dry ingredients and mix the wet ingredients separately. Then, slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Refrigerate the dough for 2 hours before shaping and baking.
How to make caramel frosting: Whip the butter until pale and fluffy, then mix in the caramel sauce and vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar and milk, whipping until fluffy and reaching the desired consistency.
How to drizzle chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or resealable bag, then drizzle it over the cooled cookies. Allow the chocolate to set before drizzling with the remaining caramel sauce.
How To Make Samoa Sugar Cookies
These Samoa sugar cookies are soft and chewy goodies topped with caramel frosting. Plus chocolate chips and sweetened coconuts for extra treats.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2½cupscake flour,scooped and leveled
- 2tspcornstarch
- 1½tspbaking powder
- ½tspsalt
- ½cupunsalted butter,at room temperature
- ¼cupall vegetable shortening,unflavored, at room temperature
- 1cupgranulated sugar
- 1large egg
- 1large egg white
- 2tspvanilla extract
For Caramel Frosting:
- 6tbspsalted butter,at room temperature
- ½cupcaramel sauce
- 3cupspowdered sugar
- ½tspvanilla extract
- 2tbspmilk
For Topping:
- 1cupchocolate chips,preferably ½ milk chocolate and ½ semi sweet
- ¼cupheavy cream
- 1cupcoconut,toasted sweetened, slightly crushed into smaller pieces
Instructions
Cookies:
-
In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, whip together ½ cup butter, shortening, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for about 3 to 4 minutes until very pale and fluffy, occasionally scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
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Mix in egg, then add egg white and vanilla and blend until combined. With the mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
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Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F during the last 10 minutes of refrigeration.
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Scoop dough out and shape into balls (about the size of a golf ball, 40 grams each).
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Place dough ball on a lightly floured surface, sprinkle top lightly with flour, then using something flat and smooth (such as the bottom of a large measuring cup), press and evenly flatten dough to ⅓-inch thick.
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Transfer flattened dough to parchment paper-lined cookie sheets and repeat the process with the remaining dough.
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Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 11 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
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Cool completely then frost with caramel frosting and sprinkle with toasted coconut (and lightly press coconut into frosting).
Frosting:
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In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter until pale and fluffy.
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Mix in caramel sauce and vanilla, then add powdered sugar and whip until fluffy, slowly adding milk 1 teaspoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
Chocolate Drizzle:
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Add chocolate chips and heavy cream to a small microwave-safe bowl and heat mixture on 50% power in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth and stirring well once it’s fully melted, cool slightly.
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Transfer to a piping bag or resealable bag, cut the tip off the corner, and drizzle over cookies.
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Allow chocolate to set, then drizzle with remaining caramel sauce. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Calories: 415.51kcal
- Fat: 17.91g
- Saturated Fat: 10.42g
- Trans Fat: 0.76g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.04g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.33g
- Carbohydrates: 61.75g
- Fiber: 1.14g
- Sugar: 39.05g
- Protein: 3.20g
- Cholesterol: 40.72mg
- Sodium: 177.18mg
- Calcium: 59.59mg
- Potassium: 59.13mg
- Iron: 1.79mg
- Vitamin A: 96.76µg
- Vitamin C: 0.27mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfect Samoa Sugar Cookies
When making the caramel frosting, it's important to add the powdered sugar gradually while whipping. This ensures that the sugar is fully incorporated into the butter and caramel sauce, resulting in a smooth and fluffy frosting. If you add all the sugar at once, it can overwhelm the mixture and cause it to become grainy or lumpy. Remember to keep the mixer on a low speed to prevent the sugar from flying out of the bowl.
Time-Saving Tips for Samoa Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prepare the dough: Make the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours to save time during the baking process.
Use a cookie scoop: Utilize a cookie scoop to ensure uniform cookie sizes, which will help them bake evenly and reduce the overall baking time.
Multi-task: While the cookies are baking, prepare the caramel frosting and chocolate drizzle to maximize efficiency in the kitchen.
Chill the frosting: Place the frosted cookies in the refrigerator for a few minutes to quickly set the caramel frosting, allowing you to proceed with the chocolate drizzle without waiting.
Batch baking: Bake multiple trays of cookies simultaneously if your oven space allows, reducing the overall baking time and increasing efficiency.
Prep the toppings: Toast the coconut and prepare the chocolate drizzle while the cookies are cooling to streamline the decorating process.
Substitute Ingredients For Samoa Sugar Cookies Recipe
cake flour - Substitute with all-purpose flour: All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute for cake flour by adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch for every cup of all-purpose flour to mimic the lower protein content of cake flour.
vegetable shortening - Substitute with butter: Butter can be used as a substitute for vegetable shortening to add a rich flavor to the cookies.
granulated sugar - Substitute with brown sugar: Brown sugar can be used as a substitute for granulated sugar to add a deeper flavor and moisture to the cookies.
caramel sauce - Substitute with homemade caramel: Homemade caramel can be used as a substitute for store-bought caramel sauce to control the sweetness and flavor of the frosting.
powdered sugar - Substitute with granulated sugar: Granulated sugar can be blended in a food processor to create a substitute for powdered sugar if a coarser texture is acceptable.
chocolate chips - Substitute with chopped chocolate: Chopped chocolate can be used as a substitute for chocolate chips to control the size and type of chocolate in the cookies.
coconut - Substitute with chopped nuts: Chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, can be used as a substitute for coconut to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the cookies.
Presenting Samoa Sugar Cookies in Style
Elevate the cookie size: Instead of traditional small cookies, create larger, more indulgent cookies to make a statement on the plate. This will give the impression of a more luxurious and decadent dessert.
Artful caramel frosting: Use a piping bag to create elegant swirls and designs with the caramel frosting, adding a touch of sophistication to the presentation.
Incorporate height: Stack the cookies in a pyramid or use a small pedestal to add height to the presentation, drawing attention to the dessert.
Garnish with precision: Carefully sprinkle the toasted coconut over the cookies, ensuring an even and precise distribution for a polished appearance.
Chocolate drizzle finesse: Drizzle the chocolate over the cookies with precision and artistry, creating intricate patterns to showcase attention to detail.
Use a minimalist approach: Embrace simplicity by presenting the cookies on a clean, white plate, allowing the vibrant colors of the caramel and coconut to stand out.
Incorporate edible flowers: Add a touch of elegance by garnishing the plate with delicate, edible flowers, enhancing the visual appeal of the dessert.
Consider the plate shape: Choose a plate with a unique shape or design to complement the overall presentation, adding an element of creativity to the plating.
Balance and symmetry: Arrange the cookies with precision, ensuring a balanced and symmetrical layout on the plate for a visually appealing presentation.
Personalized plating: Consider individual plating by presenting each cookie on its own small serving dish, adding a personalized touch to the presentation.
Essential Tools for Making Samoa Sugar Cookies
- Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining ingredients and mixing the cookie dough.
- Electric stand mixer: An electric stand mixer is used to whip the butter, shortening, and sugar until pale and fluffy, and to mix the frosting until fluffy.
- Parchment paper: Parchment paper is used to line the cookie sheets to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Measuring cup: A large measuring cup is used to flatten the cookie dough to an even thickness before baking.
- Cookie sheets: Cookie sheets are used to bake the cookies in the oven.
- Wire rack: A wire rack is used to cool the cookies after baking.
- Microwave-safe bowl: A microwave-safe bowl is used to melt the chocolate chips and heavy cream for the chocolate drizzle.
- Piping bag or resealable bag: A piping bag or resealable bag is used to drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies.
Storing and Freezing Samoa Sugar Cookies for Later
Here are the storing and freezing guidelines for Samoa sugar cookies:
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing. Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Separate the cookie layers with sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to 2-3 months:
- Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
- Transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, separating the layers with parchment paper.
- To thaw, remove the desired number of cookies from the freezer and let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
- If you want to store the cookie dough for later use, shape the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze the dough balls until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Store the frozen dough balls for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, remove the dough balls from the freezer, thaw them in the refrigerator, and then flatten and bake as directed in the recipe.
- To maintain the best texture and flavor, avoid storing the cookies in the refrigerator, as this can cause them to become dry and crumbly. Room temperature storage is ideal for these Samoa sugar cookies.
How To Reheat Leftover Samoa Sugar Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until they are warm and slightly crispy around the edges. This method will help restore the texture of the cookies and make them taste freshly baked.
If you prefer a softer texture, wrap the cookies in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 10-15 seconds. The moisture from the paper towel will help soften the cookies without making them soggy.
For a quick and easy method, place the cookies on a microwave-safe plate and heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This will warm them up without altering their texture too much.
If you have a few cookies left and want to enjoy them over a longer period, consider freezing them. Wrap the cookies tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container before storing them in the freezer. When you're ready to eat them, let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour, or microwave them for 20-30 seconds to warm them up quickly.
For a crispy texture, you can also reheat the cookies in a toaster oven. Place them on the wire rack and toast for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.
If the caramel frosting or chocolate drizzle has lost its shine or become too hard after refrigeration, you can refresh it by placing the cookies under the broiler for a few seconds. Keep a close watch, as the frosting can burn quickly.
Interesting Trivia About Samoa Sugar Cookies
The Samoa Sugar Cookies recipe is a delightful twist on the classic Girl Scout cookie. These cookies are inspired by the popular Samoa cookies, featuring a buttery base, caramel frosting, and a chocolate drizzle. They are a perfect treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Is Making Samoa Sugar Cookies at Home Cost-Effective?
The Samoa sugar cookies recipe is relatively cost-effective for a household. The ingredients are commonly found in most kitchens, and the quantities required are not excessive. The use of basic pantry staples and simple cooking techniques makes this recipe budget-friendly. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15-$20, making it an affordable treat. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 9/10, considering its delicious taste, ease of preparation, and reasonable cost.
Are Samoa Sugar Cookies Healthy or Unhealthy?
This Samoa sugar cookie recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main ingredients - cake flour, sugar, butter, shortening, and heavy cream - are all high in calories, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates. The caramel sauce and chocolate drizzle add even more sugar and fat to the mix. Consuming these cookies in excess could contribute to weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, and other health issues associated with a diet high in processed foods.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace some of the cake flour with whole wheat pastry flour to increase fiber content
- Reduce the amount of sugar in the cookie dough and frosting, or use a natural sweetener like maple syrup or coconut sugar
- Swap out the vegetable shortening for more unsalted butter or a healthier oil like coconut oil
- Use a lighter caramel sauce made with reduced-fat milk or coconut milk instead of heavy cream
- Drizzle the cookies with dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) for added antioxidants and less sugar
- Toast the coconut to enhance its flavor, allowing you to use less overall
- Reduce the size of each cookie to promote portion control
Editor's Opinion on the Delightful Samoa Sugar Cookies
The Samoa sugar cookies recipe is a delightful twist on the classic Girl Scout cookie. The combination of the buttery, tender cookies with the rich caramel frosting and the indulgent chocolate drizzle creates a symphony of flavors and textures. The addition of toasted coconut adds a delightful crunch and a hint of tropical sweetness. This recipe is a perfect balance of sweetness and richness, making it a wonderful treat for any occasion. The cookies are easy to make and are sure to impress anyone who tries them. Enjoy these delectable cookies with a cup of coffee or as a sweet ending to any meal.
Enhance Your Samoa Sugar Cookies Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Alternatives to Samoa Sugar Cookies
Appetizers and Main Courses That Go Well with Samoa Sugar Cookies
Why trust this Samoa Sugar Cookies Recipe:
This recipe guarantees delicious sugar cookies that are sure to impress. The combination of caramel frosting, chocolate drizzle, and toasted coconut creates a symphony of flavors and textures. With precise measurements and detailed instructions, this recipe ensures consistent and delectable results every time. Trust the expertise behind this recipe to elevate your baking experience and delight your taste buds.
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