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.
Paleo Samoas
Ingredients
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 chocolate chips, 6 ounces
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup coconut nectar
- ½ cup full fat coconut milk
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Instructions
Cookies
- 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°F for 6-8 minutes
- Cool cookies completely on baking sheet
Topping
- 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?
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!