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Samoas Cookies

Emma Essence
Crisp shortbread cookies, topped with homemade caramel, toasted coconut, and drizzled in decadent dark chocolate.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 10 minutes
Dough Resting Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 18 cookies

Equipment

  • Hand Mixer

Ingredients
  

Shortbread Cookie

  • ½ cup butter softened, unsalted
  • cup sugar
  • 1 ¼ cup flour plus more for rolling out cookies
  • teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon milk or water cold
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

Caramel

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup heavy cream room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 1 teaspoon flaky salt

Toppings

  • 1 ½ cups coconut flakes
  • 1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips

Instructions
 

Prepare the Cookie Dough

  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer beat the butter until fluffy.
  • Add the flour mixture and mix to form small crumbs. Add milk and vanilla and mix until a dough forms.
  • Flatten the dough into a disk and cover it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes.

Make the Caramel

  • While the dough chills, make the caramel. In a medium-sized light color pot, over medium heat, add granulated sugar and water. Stir once, and then avoid stirring for 10-12 minutes while it simmers. The sugar will turn into a deep amber-brown color.
  • Once the color of the mixture is deep amber-brown, turn off the heat. While vigorously stirring, slowly add the heavy cream. The mixture will greatly bubble.
  • After the bubbling has settled, remove from heat and add in the unsalted butter. Stir until melted.
  • Then add in the salt and stir. Set aside.

Make the Cookies

  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • On a well-floured surface, roll out the cookie dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Then use a smaller cookie cutter to cut out the center of the cookie. Place each cookie on the prepared baking sheet. Place the remaining dough into a ball and repeat the process until no more dough is left.
  • Bake cookies for about 10 minutes until the tops are slightly golden. Then place in fridge or freezer to chill.

Prepare the Coconut Mixture

  • In a small saucepan, toast the coconut on medium heat for about 3 minutes until golden brown.
  • Place in a small bowl with ½ cup of the caramel and mix until combined.

Assemble the Cookies

  • In between each assembly step, refrigerate or freeze the cookies for a couple minutes until set.
  • In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips for 2 minutes, in 20-second increments, stirring in between. Dip the bottom of the cookie into the chocolate mixture.
  • Spread about 2 teaspoons of caramel on the top of each cookie.
  • Spread coconut caramel mixture onto each cookie.
  • Lastly, drizzle chocolate all over the top of each cookie.
  • Store in an airtight container chilled or room temperature for up to a week.
Keyword cookies, Samoas