Saturday, February 19, 2011
Samoa Girl Scout Cookies
As you probably (or should) already know it is Girl Scout cookie season!! Jeff and I bought our first ones of the season a few weeks ago at a grocery story near my parent's house. How can you say no to the little girls selling them? I used to be one of those girls, so I always feel bad for them and have to buy a box (or 2 or 3). Today Jeff and I decided that $3.50 was far too much money for a box of a few cookies, and made our own!
Ingredients for the cookie: (recipe from here)
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Ingredients for topping:
- 3 cups shredded coconut
- 12 ounces of caramels
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 8 ounces chocolate chips
We took a lot of pictures for this post, so hopefully you can follow along! First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, begin my mixing the butter and sugar together in a large sized bowl.
Next, add in the flour, salt and baking powder.
Finally, add the vanilla extract and milk and you should have batter that looks something like this (who needs spoons when you have hands?):
Now the fun begins! Roll the dough out (on top of parchment paper so it doesn't stick to the table). Make sure it is about 1/4 of an inch thick.
Now the next step is probably easiest with a round cookie cutter, but since we didn't have one we improvised with a small votive candle holder.
Make as many round cookies as you can. The dough is easy to work with, so re-roll it as many times as you need to. After cutting about 1 1/2 inch circles out, make a small hole in the middle of each cookie (you may use a straw, knife, finger, etc.).
Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until browned. While these are baking you may want to begin getting your ingredients ready for the topping!
Unwrap the caramels. Place in a bowl with the milk and salt and microwave for about 3 minutes stirring occasionally (if your microwave is more powerful, use less time).
Next, spread the coconut on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 20 minutes. Stir it every 3-5 minutes. Hang in there with me...I know there are lots of small steps with this recipe but the end result is worth it!
Once the caramel is melted and coconut is toasted, fold the coconut into the caramel mixture and stir well. Using a small spoon, place the mixture on top of the cooled cookies (about 2 tablespoons per cookie). Please note: those are not my manly fingers...they are Jeff's.
Finally, melt the chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave. Heat for about 30 seconds then stir, and repeat until melted completely. Dip the base of the cookies into the chocolate and place onto parchment paper. Once all cookies have been dipped, place the remaining chocolate into a zip block bag and cut a small hole in the corner. Pipe the chocolate onto the cookie in a zig-zag pattern.
Place in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden. And then you're done! All of your hard work has paid off-because you now have more than a dozen Somoa Girl Scout cookies!
This recipe could put those cute little Girl Scouts out of business ;)
We are heading to Chipotle (our favorite) for dinner with my sister and brother-in-law tonight. Waking up bright and early to pick up our new puppy Ollie! Pictures will most definitely be posted tomorrow of our new little family. Hope you're enjoying your weekend as much as we are!
Next, add in the flour, salt and baking powder.
Finally, add the vanilla extract and milk and you should have batter that looks something like this (who needs spoons when you have hands?):
Now the fun begins! Roll the dough out (on top of parchment paper so it doesn't stick to the table). Make sure it is about 1/4 of an inch thick.
Now the next step is probably easiest with a round cookie cutter, but since we didn't have one we improvised with a small votive candle holder.
Make as many round cookies as you can. The dough is easy to work with, so re-roll it as many times as you need to. After cutting about 1 1/2 inch circles out, make a small hole in the middle of each cookie (you may use a straw, knife, finger, etc.).
Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until browned. While these are baking you may want to begin getting your ingredients ready for the topping!
Unwrap the caramels. Place in a bowl with the milk and salt and microwave for about 3 minutes stirring occasionally (if your microwave is more powerful, use less time).
Next, spread the coconut on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 20 minutes. Stir it every 3-5 minutes. Hang in there with me...I know there are lots of small steps with this recipe but the end result is worth it!
Once the caramel is melted and coconut is toasted, fold the coconut into the caramel mixture and stir well. Using a small spoon, place the mixture on top of the cooled cookies (about 2 tablespoons per cookie). Please note: those are not my manly fingers...they are Jeff's.
Finally, melt the chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave. Heat for about 30 seconds then stir, and repeat until melted completely. Dip the base of the cookies into the chocolate and place onto parchment paper. Once all cookies have been dipped, place the remaining chocolate into a zip block bag and cut a small hole in the corner. Pipe the chocolate onto the cookie in a zig-zag pattern.
Place in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden. And then you're done! All of your hard work has paid off-because you now have more than a dozen Somoa Girl Scout cookies!
This recipe could put those cute little Girl Scouts out of business ;)
We are heading to Chipotle (our favorite) for dinner with my sister and brother-in-law tonight. Waking up bright and early to pick up our new puppy Ollie! Pictures will most definitely be posted tomorrow of our new little family. Hope you're enjoying your weekend as much as we are!
57 comments:
Have you tried the somoa girl scout cookie ice cream at the grocery stores? It is my favorite!
I think I'll buy them but good for you to make them! A lot of work! Cheryl from New City
These look fantastic! Less than 2 hours ago I was talking about how expensive the GS cookies were and how we sadly can't afford to buy them - I am so excited for this recipe!
I feel bad too, since I used to be a Brownie selling these as well, but there's just no way to justify the price when you're unemployed like me and my partner.
Well you get what you pay for, whether you make or buy ;)
I am so excited to make these! Thanks!!!
All of a sudden, 3 boxes of Samoa cookies I bought from cute little scouts at Piggly Wiggly this afternoon don't look too good. Thanks a lot, Cait and Jeff. :(
I haven't seen any Girl Scouts out yet? I have to bring treats to work on Wednesday and I think these would be a hit. Who doesn't love samoa's? Do you recommend using the Werther's Carmels that you used? Do you remember how many cookies this recipe made?
You only paid $3.50 for the cookies? In the Seattle area, the cookies are $4.00 a box and people are still trying to buy them. Less cookies and more money? It doesn't equal up.
Looks like I may start making the cookied myself! Sorry, girls.
I've seen these all over the blogosphere lately! If my husband sees them, I'm in big trouble :) They look delicious.
Yummy..those look so good and delicious! Congrats on top9!!!
Somoas were always my favorite Girl Scout cookies and yours look even better!
Okay so we could be friends in "real life!" My husband and I had the same conversation a few weeks ago and I made homemade Samoas too! Unfortunately I got hit by pneumonia the same week so I haven't been able to post the recipe and pics yet. Anyway - yours look so very pretty! :) Oh, and yes Chipotle is our favorite too!! I want to bathe in their guacamole. - Katrina
Samoas are my favorite girl scout cookie - these look great!
Wow! These look delicious! My favorite girl scout cookie.... and now homemade. Well done on the top 9!
Just came across your blog through foodbuzz! Cute blog! Congrats on the top 9...Samoas are my favorite Girl Scout cookie.
I made these at home once, in bar form because I didn't have as much patience as you! Yours look amazing though, even better than the box ones!
Bravo on Top 9. Adore the tempting photo with the milk sitting behind them. They look fabulous!
OK, these are amazing!! My most favorite girl scout cookies homemade! We're featuring cookies at the M&T Spotlight this week and I'd love for you to submit these: http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight
Congrats on making top 9 ! Loved the step by step pitures...
Oh my GOSH! I love Samoas! I'm actually eating one right now at my desk. Shameful.
They look delicious! My fav GS cookies too. Congrats on the top 9!
Oh my...these look just perfect. My favorite girl scout cookie. :)
YUM! I really want to make these! Oh and btw you are super lucky our GS cookies cost 4 bucks in AZ! Glad I found your blog! I look forward to reading more!
These look delicious! Congrats on making Top 9!
Looks like a awesome recipe! I will try to recreate this weekend. Here is a simple recipe for those yummy girl scouts thin mints loved by all who come into contact with them.
Step 1 Melt Chocolate - mint chocolate chips or mint melting chocolate purchased from a craft store
Step 2 - Cover Ritz Crackers with Melted chocolate one at a time and place on parchment paper
Step 3 - Refrigerate until hard
Step 4 - Eat and save money with a smile for both!
WOW! Your Samoas look awesome. That's my favorite Girl Scout cookie EVER!!! Nicely done!
So yummy! Cant wait to make them!
Tag-A-Longs are also easy to make. And Oh so yummy. I use Ritz crackers. Spread one cracker with peanut butter. Use a second cracker to make a sandwich. Dip in melted chocolate. Cool on wax paper. Easy as that and Mmmmmm Mmmmmm!!!
It looks like you had a lot fun making these delicious cookies. Congrats on the Top 9
Oh these are pretty as a picture. Yum! x
Mmm, these are my favorites! Steppy recipe, but the results look totally worthwhile! Thanks for sharing! :)
What a great idea! They look divine and tasty. Congrats on the Top 9 today!
Nicely done!! Samoas are my son's favorites of the Girl Scout selection. I love that we can make them!
Yep... I was one of those girls selling too, and then I became the leader. I had a troop for 5 years and loved watching the girls grow up. I'm hoping that now they are in middle school at least a lesson or two will stick with them. So far I hear that they are still making good choice.
And as for the $$... we are $4 here!!
Congrats on the Top 9!
these look delicious, i like the little hole in the middle!
Oh boy! I know what will be made at our house. Congrats on the Top 9.
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These look delish... congrats on being featured on Foodbuzz Top 9!
Congrats on making the top 9 again! You guys are awesome! Cheryl
My box of Samoa cookies disappeared so fast...but if I made these I'd have so much more to eat!! And I'd probably save a few bucks too. Great idea!!
these look way better than the real thing!
They look great, I have resorted to buying Keebler Coconut Dreams (or something like that) More bang for the buck, but I can usually find them for $3 and there's more than 10 in the box.
Tried these today...AMAZING! I subsitutes cocnut for crushed Pretzels... SO good! I am featuring you on our blog! Stop by and grab a button! Thanks so much for sharing
momsofalltrades.blogspot.com
Those look so good! I made Thin Mints a few years ago, and they were delightful. I paid $4 for a box of them this afternoon. Maybe I should make my own again!
Thanks for this great idea! We tried it and had trouble making them look as great as you did! But they tasted so yummy!
Insane coincidence! We just found your recipe on Tastespotter and we made these cookies in SOLLY BASEMENT!
Samoas are my favorite! I'm currently working my way through a container of Edy's Samoa ice cream...I think these homemade cookies would go perfectly with it :)
I just got my Girl Scout cookies today and was wondering if there was a way to make these at home (since I can...ahem... eat an entire sleeve at once). I will definitely be trying this! So excited:) Thanks!
did you sit down and figure out a cost comparison? just wondering...
Woah there... a chance to have these amazing cookies more than just once a year? Yes, please! Thanks for sharing. My mouth is watering as I type.
Holy crap, these look wonderful! And we LOVE making things from scratch ourselves to eliminate preservatives, flavorings, and all that artificial garbage. Thank you!! I bookmarked & stumbled this, too!
Wowzers!! My mom is coming in a few days and you better believe we are making these!!
That looks so good!
However, the profits made from selling Girl Scout cookies does benefit their program. Girls get community service and learn life skills as they develop into fine women.
So I think I will buy a few boxes from them to support their cause, then make these for the rest of the year. Good job :D
AH, Perfect! I have been trying to find the real cookies in NYC to celebrate Girl Scout Day, and it's more trouble then you would think! I will be making these today. Happy girl Scout Day!
Being from the UK we don't have all the interesting variations of girl scout cookies as you guys across the pond, but this is a recipe I would love to try out!
I think I lived somewhere kids were selling these, I'd be very very broke! Thanks for sharing, can't wait to try them out :)
xxx
oh my gosh that took FOREVER (this may be because i'm not very good at cooking and i'm only a teenager) but oh my goodness they tasted like heaven XD
AH, Perfect! I have been trying to find the real cookies in NYC to celebrate Girl Scout Da
I just made these tonight! Wish I could post a photo on here to show everyone... So sooo yummy! Thanks guys! :D
<3, Melissa
https://www.facebook.com/mkroxx
Hi Caitlin and Jeff,
I'm working for the site AllFreeCopycatRecipes.com. I've been perusing your website, and I really enjoy your recipes! I’ve linked to one of them. You can view it here:
http://www.allfreecopycatrecipes.com/Cookie-Copycats/Copycat-Samoa-Girl-Scout-Cookies/ct/1
Do we have permission to link in this manner from this post as well as your current blogs in the future? In addition, we would similarly like to use this recipe and its accompanying photo in our e-mail newsletters and eCookbooks. Often, for instance, we develop and promote blogger eCookbooks. All of this would drive traffic to your blog. *You would receive credit for your recipe with these links.
You can view a past eCookbook to see how we credit bloggers:
http://www.allfreecopycatrecipes.com/Cookie-Copycats/8-Types-of-Girl-Scout-Cookies-Your-Favorite-Girl-Scout-Cookie-Flavors-eCookbook/ct/1
As you'll see, we do not post the recipe in full, but rather link out to it just as we do on the site. Please let us know what you think!
You can contact me at jthelander[at]primecp[dot]com
Thanks so much!
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