These Paleo Samoa Cookie Bars are just like the popular Girl Scout Cookies, but homemade and healthier! Gluten free, dairy free, and so delicious!
What is a Samoa cookie?
Are you familiar with Samoa cookies? They are a shortbread base topped with caramel and toasted coconut and drizzled with chocolate. They are also known as Caramel deLites and according to the Girl Scout website are the 2nd most popular cookie after Thin Mints. These bars have all those same components, but gluten free and dairy free! I also decided on bars instead of cookies because they're easier and just as tasty! I do have a no-bake vegan samoa cookie recipe that you'll also love.
Simple Shortbread
I used the same shortbread base that I used for my Paleo Homemade Twix. It's simple and so delicious. It's the only baking part of this recipe and it's super quick. It is not overly sweet which is good because the caramel layer is quite sweet so it balances out perfectly. It's a mixture of almond flour, coconut flour, coconut oil and maple syrup- so easy.
I do want to give a heads up about this recipe. Everything about it is easy, but it is a little time consuming. Making the caramel takes a little time, then toasting the coconut- neither of which are hard. This isn't a recipe that will be finished in 20 minutes, but the final result is SO worth it! I promise!! I actually made the caramel a day ahead which I totally recommend if you have the time.
Making perfect caramel
Speaking of caramel, it took me 3 tries to get it perfect. The first time the sugar was rock hard and totally seized up on me, the second time was better but still not great. The third time I used a mixture of honey and coconut sugar and that's when it came out perfect. Thick, sweet, and not too dark. The caramel sauce is good on its own, but when mixed with the toasted coconut- whoa!! It is amazing!
You will love these homemade Paleo Samoa Cookie Bars! The delicate shortbread, the chewy, sweet caramel coconut layer and of course the chocolate to top it off. Here are some more Girl Scout copycats to try:
- Thin Mint Cookies (paleo)
- Homemade Tagalong Cookies (paleo)
- Shortbread Lemonades (paleo and vegan)
- Paleo Vegan Samoa Cookies
- Tagalong Bars (paleo, vegan, nut free)
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Samoa Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Caramel Layer
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ¾ cup coconut cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups unsweetened finely shredded coconut
Shortbread Crust
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
Chocolate
- 1 ¼ cup dairy free chocolate chips divided
Instructions
Caramel Layer
- Make the caramel sauce. This can be done ahead of time and stored in the fridge. In a small sauce pan, combine honey, coconut sugar, coconut cream, and salt.
- Heat over medium heat until just boiling, turn to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Stir continuously to prevent burning.
- Remove from heat and add coconut oil and vanilla and whisk to combine. This may take some whisking to fully incorporated it. Pour the caramel into a glass jar and let cool at room temperature.
- While the caramel is cooling, toast the coconut. Preheat the oven to 350° and spread coconut evenly on a sheet tray. Bake for 10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes. This is important to ensure it does not burn.
- Keep the oven on to bake the shortbread.
- Once the caramel has cooled (you can even make the shortbread while you wait), add in the toasted coconut and stir until it is evenly mixed.
Shortbread Instructions
- Line a 9x9 pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, coconut flour, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Mix until well combined. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until sides are slightly brown. Let cool before topping with caramel layer.
- Once shortbread has cooled, top with the caramel/coconut mixture and spread it as evenly as possible. Place in the fridge to set for 1-2 hours.
Chocolate Bottom and Drizzle
- Remove the bars from the fridge and using the parchment paper, remove them from the pan. Cut into 16 squares.
- Place 1 cup of the chocolate chips in a small microwaveable bowl. Microwave in 10 second increments, stirring between each one, until they are fully melted. Dip the bottom of each square into the chocolate and place back on the parchment paper.
- Once all bars have been dipped, melt the remaining chocolate the same way and drizzle over bars. You may need a new bowl because little pieces of the shortbread may fall into the first one.
Mark says
Saved this, they honestly look incredible. I always love your photos. And didn't realise that was shortbread at first as I've never heard of a samoa cookie - I love shortbread!
Jessica DeMay says
Thank you for your kind words, Mark! I love shortbread, too! Even just the base alone is good 🙂
Katja says
These bars are totally my jam! Can't wait to try them!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Katja! Hope you love them!
Michele Spring says
haha, I literally saw the title of this, looked at the first pic, and said "that's it, making these tonight!". I LOVE me some samoa girl scout cookies but can't have them now due to my Celiac disease. All these little girls running around trying to sell me boxes of them isn't helping either 🙂 So thanks for helping me out!!
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, Michele! They do take a little time to make, but I hope you love them!!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
I actually think samoas are the best girl scout cookie, not thin mints! These bars look so incredibly delicious, I LOVE the healthier ingredient list! Now I know what to do when I'm craving girl scout cookies 🙂
Jessica DeMay says
I think I love both equally for different reasons 😉 Thanks, Bethany!
ChihYu says
How do you make everything look so delicious and gorgeous ! I want to lick my computer screen !! Love everything that you do. XOXO !
Jessica DeMay says
Thank you so much, ChihYu! Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Cristina Curp says
holy moly these look so decadent and chewy!!!!! drooling over here!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Cristina!
Allison Wojtowecz says
Jay these are GORGEOUS!! I love your photography as usual, too. 🙂
Jessica DeMay says
Thank you, Allison!! You are so kind 🙂
Amy says
Oh my goodness, these look delicious!!!! Those layers are perfect!
Robert Dombrowski says
Where is the recipe for these?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Robert- there is a link in the recipe box that says "click here". That will take you to the full recipe.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Amy!! 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I have got to try these Jessica! May need to make some for my mother too! Samoas are her favorite girl scout cookie!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Mary Ann! Oh, I think your mom will love them! Homemade versions are so fun!
Renee Kohley says
No WAY! These look so good! One of my favorite flavors!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Renee!