This recipe for gluten-free Paleo Girl Scout cookies is based on one from the wonderful cookbook Paleo Indulgences
My favorite part of this gluten-free Paleo Girl Scout cookie recipe? The vegan caramel sauce recipe that Tammy includes in it, which is a true piece of culinary genius. There are dozens of other treats that you’ll want to have at hand as well, so I recommend getting yourself a copy of this delightfully healthy cookbook.
For about a week I was calling these cookies Samoras instead of Samoas. I’m not really sure what got into me as I used to call them by the correct name. If you like cookies with toasted coconut, vegan caramel sauce and dark chocolate, then these are right up your alley, regardless of the name.
- Cookies
- 2 cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- Topping
- 1 cup (6 ounces) chocolate chips
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup coconut nectar
- ½ cup full fat coconut milk
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
- In a food processor combine dry ingredients
- Pulse in wet ingredients until dough forms
- Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes
- Roll dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper to ¼ inch thick
- Use a 2-inch cookie cutter to cut out rounds
- Use a knife to cut holes in center of rounds if desired
- Bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes
- Cool cookies completely on baking sheet
- Melt chocolate over very low heat
- Dip base of each cookie into chocolate
- Place on parchment paper to set
- To make caramel, place coconut sugar, coconut nectar and coconut milk in a saucepan
- Bring mixture to a boil, then decrease heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently
- Remove mixture from heat and stir in toasted coconut
- Use a small spoon to drizzle caramel-coconut mixture onto cookies
- Drizzle additional chocolate over cookies and sprinkle with extra coconut if desired
- Place cookies in refrigerator to set, then serve
While the ingredients for these homemade Paleo Girl Scout cookies are based on a recipe from Tammy Credicott’s Paleo Indulgences, much of the method is based on that from the Samoa recipe by David Leite at Leite’s Culinaria. Leite has one of the best cooking sites around. His photography is beautiful and the instructions for his recipes are full of detail, yet at the same time quite simple.
Finally, a bit of Girl Scout cookie trivia –did you know that in 2002 Bruce Willis purchased 12,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies and had them sent to troops in Afghanistan?
What is your favorite Girl Scout Cookie recipe? If you could see another gluten-free Girl Scout cookie recipe over here which one would it be?
Shari from NC says
Hi, Elana,
Yummy!!! Thanks for sharing.
Could you please “Elanify” the Lemonades and the Cranberry Citrus Crisps? abcsmartcookies dot com lists ingredients. Two different bakers make Girl Scout Cookies (the other one being Little Brownie Bakers), with the flavors (and names of cookies) determined by which bakery is providing cookies to local councils (That’s why Shortbreads are also know as Trefoils, Peanut Butter Patties are also known as Tagalongs, Caramel DeLites are also known as Samoas, and Peanut Butter Sandwiches are also known as Dosidos.)
My understanding is the Cranberry Citrus Crisp cookie is very firm, enjoyed more after being dunked in liquid (coffee, tea, etc).
Thanks,
Shari
Elana says
Shari, so great to see you here again! I will add your request to my list :-)
Momma J says
I tried this recipe today, baking for my sweet daughter-in-law. I think my kitchen is a sticky mess, but boy, are these delicious cookies! My DIL plans to freeze part for a treat later, but we all enjoyed the final product!!
Thank you!
Elana says
Hi Momma J, so glad you all enjoyed these cookies!!!
Momma J says
I may make more this weekend, using egg shaped cookie cutters! My DIL said that caramel topping was amazing. She’s so sweet, I love to bake for her!
Elana says
Awww, you guys are so cute! Glad you all liked the cookies :-)
Sharon says
the first time I made these samoas, I wasn’t sure what to expect, then my food processor bit the dust so I don’t think they got mixed as well as they should have. then I didn’t have any coconut nectar so I substituted honey. the caramel sauce didn’t set as well as I wanted it but these are one of the best things I’ve made that is considered paleo. my husband and daughter just wrinkle their noses at anything paleo but they liked them sooo much, they wanted me to make another batch, so after a new food processor, I made them and gave a few to friends who are following the paleo lifestyle and on a scale of 1-10 they gave them an 11! they keep asking me where I am getting these recipes. love this website! next challenge is the bagels.
Elana says
Hi Sharon, wow, thanks for giving this cookie recipe an 11 on a scale of 1-10. We love them too :-)
Nanette M says
Elena, how would you alter the recipe so the batter can be baked in donut pans? Thx!
Elana says
Hi Nanette, thanks for your comment. I would recommend using my donut recipe rather than experimenting. Testing batch after batch is the only way I know of when it comes to creating a recipe. I test some of my recipes several dozen times before they are perfected. I wish I had a crystal ball that would tell me what would happen as it would save me so much in the way of ingredients, time, and money!
https://elanaspantry.com/chocolate-donuts/
Enjoy!
Elana
rather than experimenting and
suz says
Can I substitute coconut flour for almond flour? I’m in Malaysia, a coconut hotspot. I get fresh coconut every week at the local market and flour is cheap at the grocery store.
I will try it. I’m growing my own stevia for a sweetener! So much fun!
Thank you!
MeganMarie says
Thin mints! Can you sub the almond flour in samoas since I have a nut allergy?
Sarah says
Honestly, I can’t even remember what samoas taste like, but man are these amazing! I made them last night. Elena, your recipes are consistently WONDERFUL. Thank you so much.
Sugarboo says
The peanut butter sandwich cookies!!!
Rita Brooks says
I’ve finally gotten round to trying these today – it’s easily one of my favorite all-time favorite paleo indulgences now. Thanks for sharing this :)
ashley nicole says
I’m so excited to try these for the holiday! I have a weakness for Samoas. Ate a half box this season- bad choice. This looks like a much better one :)
anne says
you are amazing!
Jen (yup, another one) says
TAGALONGS. Although I don’t think they will translate that well with almond or sunbutter. :(
Bob says
Love,love,love thin mints. This is great. My family will have a great time making these and I’m sure they won’t last long.
Many Thanks!
Sunteerto says
Well that’s look like a donuts. You maybe could make variation on the garnish putting some almond on that chocolate would look great cause I love almond.
Britt in TX says
O well, I am sorry to say I haven’t made these yet : ( which means I bought them from the GS; ) and also the thin mints Haha. I know, I know, I will still make them both! Thanks you are so helpful and you have alot of people that thank you. Just think of all the people around the world at breakfast, lunch, & dinner cooking your healthy recipes!!! Lots of people say thanks but we really need to think about how much work you have put in cookbooks, recipes, this website, responding when you can & many more!!!! Thanks again!!!! GOD BLESS!!!
Jane Hull says
Tagalongs!!!
Lynnette Foster-Horwith says
Now that I cant eat eggs nor almonds anymore in addition to already no gluten, dairy, corn nor sugar, so I am playing with recipes and having fun. Also would enjoy a quality chart about soaking seeds and nuts to make them healthy. My latest : soaked cashews which I vita mixed into cashew cream, added cocoa and chocolate and peppermint stevia. Froze spoonfulls and they’re yum.
Carly says
Samoas have always been my favorite! I just made these tonight and they were EPIC!
Serafina says
I checked out this recipe due to the thinking about what an oxymoron this recipe is… I laughed about it for a while and thought to myself, those sound delicious!
Karen says
As a former cookie selling champ, and woman surrounded by adorable girls who sell cookies, I’m thrilled to Samoas. We used to freeze them and cut them up and put in homemade vanilla ice cream.
Thin Mints though – were my favorite.
Anni says
Absolutely – Thin Mints!!! Would LOVE to see a recipe!
Britt in Tx says
O man those look good! yummy!!! I just saw the girl scouts yesterday and I was about to go buy these and the thin mints they are both my favorite. But I rather make these and see how they taste but I need to make them fast cause if I see the girl scouts again I will get them Haha lol THANKS ;)
Dawn-Renée says
Does anyone know if Elana uses canned coconut milk in this recipe? I am guessing it’s not sweetened drinking milk from the refridgerated case since there is quite a bit of additional sugar in the chocolate topping.
Sarah says
I had to go gluten free in July and I was dreading buy girl scout cookies for my kids. These are my favorite and I can’t wait to make them. They look amazing. Just found your website love it!
Julie says
The ONLY Girl Scout cookie is the Samoa! Thanks for the recipe. My daughter and I made them last week and they were delicious. They seemed even more yummy the day after we baked them.
Michelle says
These cookies look amazing! I am GF and love the variety of paleo recipes that I can eat!
Courtney says
I was so excited when I saw that this was altered from the paleo indulgences because I wont use coconut sugar or coconut nectar. Producing Coconut sugar prevents the growth of coconuts and therefore no coconut milk, coconut flour, coconut flakes etc. If your interested in some literature over it i provided a link below
.
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/coconut_palm_sugar.htm
Melissa @ glutenfreeforgood says
Yeah, a healthy girl scout cookie!
shari says
Im in the process of making these right now. Thought I woild leave some feedback. 30 minutes was not enough time in the fridge for it to be easy to cut. Maybe freezing in a log and cutting like you woild sugar cookies. They expanded more when baking than I though, so make sure to leave enough room btwn cookies. I baked for 8 minutes till golden on the edges. Let cool 5 min. Transfer to cooling rack. Delicious!
CAROL says
WHERE DO I GET COCONUT MILK, NECTAR AND OIL, ALSO ALMOND FLOUR?
Emily says
THANK YOU!!! I’ve been dying lately, with everyone ordering Girl Scout cookies everywhere. I love me some Samoas. Thank you!!
Posey's Mom says
This looks ah-maz-ing! WOAH!
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit says
Yum! I’m not Paleo, but these cookies look great. :D Thanks for the recipe!
Sally says
These are my favorite girl scout cookies, so I can’t wait to try these, especially knowing they are so much better for me!
https://www.iherb.com/mypage/SallyN
MamaCassi says
I’d also vote thin mints. But these are going on the local community menu and down in LEGEND! So amazing! I’m 9 months pregnant and had a friend over so took the time to make these (I started collecting ingredients as soon as the recipe was posted) and we all agree this is the most delicious cookie recipe!
mine didn’t look as pretty, and i used honey throughout (instead of coconut nectar), and organic fair trade sugar (we have that and i do use sugar sometimes) for the caramel. all-in-all my kids were singing odes to the cookies, my husband ate 3, and I’m very happy to stash a few in the freezer for myself for later.
Emily says
These look awesome! Next, Thin Mints!!!!
Rose says
Delicious! Just made a batch and I’m bringing half over to our neighbors…too dangerous for just my husband and me! I’d say tagalongs!! Thanks, always love your creations!
Sara Jessica says
Looks like a donuts… A delicious one!
Frankie says
Thins mints, for sure. If there is a paleo thin mint recipe, I would eat that up!
Luv What You Do says
These would be so dangerous in my house. Samoas are my FAVORITE girl scout cookie.
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs says
I looove Tagalongs. Thin mints come in second. Yum. Thanks for this recipe!
Shea says
What chocolate chunks do you use? The ones I can find are not Paleo since they are all made with sugar. Also is coconut sugar Paleo? I thought only honey and possibly maple syrup were.
Dina says
This is so exciting! I love Samoas! They are my downfall… I always buy 2 boxes… but now I can have the taste without all the bad stuff!!! Thanks SO MUCH, Elana!
tara says
Tagalongs Please !!!!!
Darci says
Made these today…they were awesome!! Samoas were always my favorite and since going on a paleo diet over ten years ago I haven’t even touched one, until today! Thank you, Elana, for sharing your genius. I doubled the coconut in the topping and went a little heavy in putting on the caramel. Best after a few hours in the fridge. Wow!
Traci says
Thin mints!
Britt says
Elana, I love you forever!! These are amazing. I would love to see either thin mints or the old lemon creme sandwiches.
Jen says
Samoas have ALWAYS been my favorite GS cookie. I’m thrilled you posted this recipe and have already made a request on FB that someone please make them for my birthday! (I’m terrible I know).
If I had to ask for another GS cookie, I’d agree with everyone else on the thin mints, but I have to say a close second would be the Tagalongs…
Alyssa says
I’m so happy to see this recipe!!!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says
Oooooooo dear. It’s a good thing I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions ;)
I’ve never met a Girl Scout cookie I didn’t like. Bring it on!
laura says
these. look. amazing. My fav cookies all healthified! Can’t wait to try!
Maria Bries says
Tagalongs pleeeease!!!! My Girl Scout is so disappointed to have to sell gluten cookies with no gluten free alternative….when will they start offering such an option???
Pink Peppercorn and Paprika says
The Girl Scouts should sell these ones instead!
Rawa says
Thin mints!
Shari in NC says
Thin Mints, please! My daughter, who’s gluten-free and dairy-free, is a Girl Scout and has been selling GS cookies the past 3 years, having never tasted one. She’s also curious about Lemonades (in the part of the country serviced by ABC bakers the cookies have different names; for example, Samoas are called Caramel DeLites, Tagalongs are Peanut Butter Patties, Trefoils are Shortbread, and Dosidoes are Peanut Butter Sandwiches. See <> for more details.)
Thanks, Elana; now my daughter can “taste” a Girl Scout cookie!! Awesome!!
Shari in NC says
a listing of ABC Baker’s cookies can be found at www dot abcsmartcookies dot com forward slash america’s-best-cookies
momcella says
Thin mints please! Shortbread is a close second!
Kerri says
Thin Mints, for sure, but I would settle for a Paleo version of Trefoils, too!!!!
Maria says
Thank you for this recipe – Samoas are my very favorite Girl Scout cookie. Put me down for Thin Mints, also.
Karen says
THIN MINTS!!! I haven’t had them in years!! I don’t know why they are so good…maybe just because I sold them and loved them as a girl, too.
Thank you Elana!!!!! I have been trying to create these using your almond flour book and a recipe off the internet that was way too long and way too complicated, and I ended up making bars because it’s easier…and I threw the choc chips on top (after several attempts of crumbly messes, I was OVER melting the chocolate). These look infinitely better than my concoction in a brownie pan! HAHA!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Christa says
What is coconut nectar? Thanks!
Karen says
It’s just sweet raw syrup that’s made from coconuts, about the consistency of brown rice syrup. It’s awesome and has a super low glycemic index. The most common brand is Coconut Secret – you can buy it at Whole Foods or on line at vitacost:
http://www.vitacost.com/coconut-secret-raw-coconut-nectar?csrc=GPF-PA-851492002016&ci_sku=851492002016&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=CNy32dWY7bQCFQ_hQgodg0AALg
Christa says
Great, thanks! I don’t know how I’ve missed it, I’ve been using palm sugar and coconut oil for years. I was just placing a Vitacost order, I will add it on!
Karen says
Oh, I just answered the same question below…here it is again just in case you don’t see it. It’s sweet raw syrup that’s made from coconuts, about the consistency of brown rice syrup. It’s awesome and has a super low glycemic index. The most common brand is Coconut Secret – you can buy it at Whole Foods or on line at vitacost:
http://www.vitacost.com/coconut-secret-raw-coconut-nectar?csrc=GPF-PA-851492002016&ci_sku=851492002016&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=CNy32dWY7bQCFQ_hQgodg0AALg
Jerri-Lynn says
I just about peed my pants when I saw this recipe. Before I became ill with every food allergy under the sun, Samoas were my favorite cookie ever and would purchase boxes and boxes when the scouts came around. What is coconut nectar though and where can I find it? Thank you. Thin mints would be awesome too!
Jerri-Lynn says
I just about peed my pants when I saw this recipe. Before I became ill with every food allergy under the sun, Samoas were my favorite cookie ever and would purchase boxes and boxes when the scouts came around. What is coconut nectar though and where can I find it? Thank you. This mints would be awesome too!
Gretchen says
No question – THIN MINTS. – I miss them so much
Heather @ Bake, Run, Live says
I love Samoas! Thank you for this great recipe!
When I read the directions, it says to use a knife to make the center hole. I think using the large opening of a pastry decorating tip would work well as a small cookie cutter!
Amyella says
Thin Mints!!!
Edith says
Thin Mints without a doubt! Thanks for the recipe Elana. You rock!
Elizabeth T. says
Coconut nectar? That’s a new one. Is it hard to find?
Karen says
Easy! And yummy! and super low glycemic index…you’ll love it! (I sound like a coconut nectar rep. They should hire me! HA!)
It’s at Whole Foods or you can order online at vitacost:
http://www.vitacost.com/coconut-secret-raw-coconut-nectar?csrc=GPF-PA-851492002016&ci_sku=851492002016&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}&gclid=CNy32dWY7bQCFQ_hQgodg0AALg
Leslie says
I’m the parent of a Daisy Scout, and I’ve basically only sold Thin Mints and Samoas. I would like to point out that, if you would like to financially support the Girl Scouts but not eat their cookies, you can donate boxes to troops. :)
Olivia@ OmNom Love says
I was never a big Samoa fan but I’ll have to try them again. I suppose that was because I didn’t like coconut however I do now!
Tagalongs are my absolute favorite Girl Scout cookies. They’re closely followed by Thin Mints.
Donny B says
Hi Elena,
I’m a big fan and own both your books. I know this doesn’t quite answer your question, but I believe on Facebook you mentioned working on a sticky toffee date cake recipe? If you could share that, that would be amazing. That’s always been one my favorite desserts and it’s one of the few things I miss since going Paleo.
Samoas are my favorite Girl Scout cookie. Can’t wait to try this!
Katie says
Thin mints please!!!!!!
Chris says
Thin Mints and the plain shortbread (forget the name).
Also, can these be made with stevia instead of the sugar? If so, how?
Veronica says
Thin Mints! Thank you for the Samoas recipe. Those are my favorite.
Megan says
These look delicious!!! If I could try another gluten-free/dairy-free/grain-free paleo Girl Scout cookie, it would most definitely be the shortbread cookies and the thin mints. :-)
Thank you for sharing your awesome recipes!!! Can’t wait to try more!
Megan :-)
Beth Blair says
I miss Tagalongs!!
Lisa says
Thin Mints- try starting with one of Elana’s sugar cookie/shortbread recipes and add some cocoa- start with 1/4 c, and add a few drops of peppermint oil. Roll out thin. Bake on parchment paper.
Let cool and add a ohocolate ganache drizzle. Put a drop of peppermint oil in drizzle too. Add more as you test bake batches.
Look forward to what you come up with because these Samoas sound like breakfast!
Laurie says
There are some grain-free recipes out there for thin mints. If you google it, you’ll find some links. These look great. I made your paleo brownies tonight. So delicious. I had a big one at 9pm, probably why I slept for an hour and am up now.
Stecia says
If we have an almond allergy, what other nut flour would be the best choice to substitute in your recipes? Would hazelnut flour work?
Thank you
TKO says
Samoas!!! Thank you so much for this amazing recipe!
keely says
Thin Mints! If anyone can pull it off Elana it’s you! I am so thrilled with this recipe, you have no idea. I am both lactose & gluten intolerant. You’ve made my day. :-)
Silvana says
Tagalongs!
Claire says
Thin mints!
Summer says
Ditto, Thin Mints. My thing is texture though. I love crisp, crummy, crumbly cookies the best by far. That is my complaint with all these almond flour/coconut oil cookies. The flavor is good but the texture is just so sad. I do appreciate all your tireless efforts though, regardless.
Chris says
I agree — Thin Mints!
Thanks Elana for all the recipes. You’ve brought our lives back to “normal” again. You’re a lifesaver!
sarah says
Thin mints!
Kathy says
Thin Mints and Tagalongs. The Best!!
Kathy says
Thin Mints and Tagalongs. The Best
Jen says
Thin Mints. Although, I don’t remember ever having Girl Scout (or Girl Guide up here in Canada) cookies. But my mouth is watering over this recipe. I love you Elana!!!
Gemma says
I made the thin mint cookies from the same paleo cookbook and was so disappointed.
If you can make them not just edible but amazing…that would be a great service to humankind!
Rae says
Thin Mints and dosidos. Yum!
Stephanie Breznau says
Most definitely Tagalongs!!!
Terri forsberg says
Thin mints!
Sal says
Thin mints! Yes. Please.
Jamie V. says
THIN MINTS!!!
Sue Kamens says
I’m with everyone who already posted… THIN MINTS!!
kelsey says
OH MY GOODNESS!
This is fantastic, I am making them tomorrow!
Samoas are my fave!!!!!!
Danielle says
It would Absolutely be Thin Mints!! : ))
Georgia says
I almost did a cartwheel when I saw this recipe! YUM!!
That being said, I DREAM about Thin Mints :)
Thank you!
Gina says
Thin mints, without a doubt. And Do-si-dos. But, actually, Samoas are my FAVORITE, so this is Very Exciting!!
Tessa says
Hands down– THIN MINTS!!!