These gluten free vegan homemade Samoa cookies are heavenly. A shortbread base, topped with homemade vegan caramel, toasted coconut and a dark chocolate drizzle...what more could you ask for? We're all about healthier Girl Scout cookies that everyone can enjoy!
I can't even remember the last time I had Girl Scout cookies. It's probably been at least 10 years, maybe more! My all-time favorite was Tagalongs, but Samoas were a close second. I love the chocolate + caramel + coconut combination!
I just took a quick look at the ingredient list for Samoas, and yikes. The first few ingredients are sugar, vegetable oil, enriched flour and corn syrup. Later on in the list, we get glycerin, invert sugar, caramel color, dextrose, and something called sorbitan tristearate.
I'm all for food freedom. I think it's perfectly fine to indulge in "unhealthy" foods. However, isn't it just so much better to make things homemade?
No weird ingredients, no artificial flavors/colors, and you certainly don't need 4 variations of sugar. I'd so much rather enjoy a cookie (or two...or five) made from home or a great bakery!
That's why we opted for natural and lower glycemic sugars for this recipe as much as possible. We rely on pure maple syrup, coconut sugar and dates for most of the sweetness in these homemade Girl Scout copycat cookies.
Ultimately, you get a batch of nostalgic snacks that are healthier, tastier and just so happen to be gluten and dairy free.
Instructions
This gluten free & vegan take on the classic Samoa cookie definitely strays from the original concept, but it's equally delicious. We start with a buttery, crispy cookie base. It's our version of shortbread, made with five simple ingredients.
Shortbread
To whip up a batch of creamy, golden vegan and gluten free shortbread only takes five simple ingredients.
- Coconut oil gives the classic coconut flavor that we all love Samoas for. Plus, it hardens when cool, which helps the gluten free shortbread keep its structure.
- Gluten free flour. For this, you can use our homemade all-purpose gluten free flour blend. Or, pick some up at the store.
- Pure maple syrup. and sugar provide the sweetness. With maple syrup, we can limit the amount of refined sugar in these cookies. And, of course, enjoy the maple flavor.
- And finally, a bit of vanilla extract rounds out these gluten free and vegan shortbread cookies.
You'll combine all of these ingredients using the creaming method for these cookies. All that means is you'll whip the coconut oil (which is solid at room temperature) with the sugar. This incorporates air and lightens the shortbread dough. Then, you'll gradually add the remaining ingredients until everything comes together in a ball.
Finally, roll, cut and bake your shortbread cookies. Now, you're ready to assemble the rest of these vegan Samoas.
Chocolate + Caramel + Coconut
We recommend letting the shortbread cookies cool a bit before you assemble the cookies. Otherwise, the chocolate and caramel won't set well.
To finish making these homemade gluten free vegan Samoa cookies, you'll need melted dark chocolate, toasted coconut and the all-important caramel.
How to Melt Dark Chocolate
To melt dark chocolate for these Samoas, turn to the microwave.
- Simply dump your chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave in 30 second increments until it's about 75% melted. Stir the chocolate every 30 seconds to avoid burning. The residual heat in the chocolate will melt the remaining lumps when you take it out. It's best to stop melting earlier than later, since chocolate can burn easily in the microwave.
When it comes to choosing the best chocolate for this recipe, go for dark over milk chocolate. Even if you're not dairy free, milk chocolate does not melt well. All the milk solids also prevent it from hardening nicely after it's melted.
Finishing your Gluten Free Vegan Samoa Cookies
In addition to melted dark chocolate, you'll need a quick batch of our 4 ingredient homemade caramel. (Side note - we added a few extra ingredients to this version to help thicken the caramel.) This vegan caramel is so creamy and sweet no one will believe that it's made with dates.
And finally, have some toasted coconut flakes and flaky salt on hand for finishing. We recommend the fine shredded coconut for these Samoas, rather than the large flakes. They fit better on top of each cookie without overwhelming them. Just be sure to get unsweetened flakes.
Here's how to assemble each vegan and gluten free Samoa:
- Dip one side of each shortbread in melted dark chocolate. Let cool to harden the chocolate.
- Spread the non-chocolate side with homemade date caramel.
- Drizzle with more melted chocolate.
- Finish off with a kiss of toasted coconut and flaky salt.
We decided to keep the vegan gluten free cookies whole. Instead of cutting a hole in the center like a classic Samoa. It's just easier, and you don't have to waste any precious dough!
More Gluten Free & Vegan Cookie Recipes
Looking for more gluten free & vegan cookie recipes? Here are a few of our favorites:
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Tahini Thumbprint Cookies with Date Caramel Filling
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
- Double Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
We hope you enjoy these gluten free vegan Samoa cookies - tag us on Instagram @crowded_kitchen if you give them a try!
Print📖 Recipe
Samoa Cookies
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 dozen 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These gluten free vegan Samoa cookies are heavenly. A shortbread base, topped with homemade vegan caramel, toasted coconut and a dark chocolate drizzle...what more could you ask for?
Ingredients
Shortbread Base:
- ¾ cup coconut oil (solid, but softened)
- ⅓ cup cane sugar
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups gluten free all purpose flour
Vegan Caramel:
- 1 cup coconut cream (don't use any of the liquid in the can - just the solid layer of cream)
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
Toppings:
- ½ cup coconut flakes (unsweetened)
- 8 oz dark chocolate, melted (see post for how-to)
- Optional: flaky salt
Instructions
Vegan Caramel:
- Add all ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, whisking often. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to another container to cool completely. It will thicken as it cools.
Shortbread Base:
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a medium bowl, cream coconut oil and sugar with hand mixer or stand mixer. Add maple syrup and vanilla and mix until well combined.
- Add flour and mix for 10-15 seconds, or until a crumb texture forms.
- Knead dough until it forms into a ball and you can pinch the dough without it crumbling.
- Roll out the dough to between ⅛-1/4 inch thick. Cut cookies using a small circular cookie cutter. Repeat until all dough is used. Place cookies on parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until slightly browned. Let cool completely.
- Reduce oven heat to 325 F. Spread coconut flakes on a sheet pan in an even layer.
- Bake for 5-10 minutes, stirring once, until toasted and browned. Be careful - it burns easily!
- To assemble cookies, dip shortbread base in melted dark chocolate. Let harden for a few minutes, then spread a layer of caramel on top of cookie. Sprinkle with a layer of coconut, then drizzle with more dark chocolate. Let the chocolate set before eating.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 258
- Sugar: 18.5 g
- Sodium: 111.5 mg
- Fat: 12.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 9.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30.2 g
- Fiber: 1.7 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0.6 mg
Madi says
Hi! I am planning to make these this week & had a question about your recipe. I see that you mentioned "date caramel" in the body of the text but I'm not seeing any dates used in the recipe instructions. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something! Thanks!
Lexi says
Hi I'm sorry, that was a typo! No dates in the recipe. Thanks for catching that! Hope you enjoy these.
Brenna says
I’ve been making these for the holidays the past couple years and they’re always a huge hit.
Lexi says
Love to hear that!!
Ray says
Thank you for the great vegan gluten free recipe! What size cookie cutter would you suggest? Also, how long do these cookies stay good for? Thanks again!
Lexi says
A 2-inch round cutter should be perfect. They should stay fresh for about 5 days!
Kristin Weyman says
Shortbread base says “sugar.” Does that mean straight up white sugar?!?! Or coconut sugar?
Thank you!!
Lexi says
Hi Kristin, yes - regular sugar! I will update to make that more clear. Thanks!
Hilary says
These are really amazing. Definitely use coconut sugar in the caramel or it looks anemic .
I think next time I will chill then dough before rolling it out. It was really hard to handle because it was so soft.
Lexi says
Hi Hilary, Thanks so much for your comment! Yes, the coconut sugar makes a big difference. And good to know about the dough - we haven't had that problem before but I will add a note in the recipe to chill for 10-15 minutes if it's too soft.