Baked Samoa Doughnuts
Chocolate doughnuts topped with caramel and coconut, these Baked Samoa Doughnuts will be a huge hit in your house!
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I seriously think we undervalue Girl Scouts here in the U.S. Sure, it’s a great program for helping young girls. But they’ve built a juggernaut when it comes to cookies. Yup, Girl Scout Cookies. I am powerless when it comes to those things! The Girl Scouts usually set up a table of cookies right there at the front of the store. I can’t get past it. I have to walk around that table to get into the store. And I usually end up with a couple boxes of cookies as I go by…and then a couple more on my way out. Seriously?? Yes, I have a problem. And the problem is Girl Scout Cookies are ridiculously good.
In previous years, I’ve been known to drive around looking for Girl Scout Cookies to buy. Back when I was teaching, it was easy since there was always someone selling cookies. And I had to help support my students, right? “Honey, I picked up a few 10 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies today. It was for a good cause! I think.” I’ll just let you imagine how that conversation played out.
As if they needed to make it any easier, you can now just drop your zip code into the Girl Scouts’ website to find cookies near you. Or better yet, download the app. The only thing that would make it worse would be if your phone started flashing a picture of a Thin Mint cookie whenever you came within 3 miles of a table selling Girl Scout Cookies.
On a side note, the Boy Scouts have tried to capitalize on this trend with flavored popcorn. One of my curling teammates was helping his son sell popcorn this past year, so I grabbed a bag. Before I even opened that bag up, someone described it as “the universe’s worst popcorn.” And you know what? They were right.
I picked up an overpriced bag of Jalapeno Cheddar, and the flavor was good. But I think that stuff was popped back in 1976. Go back to the drawing board, Boy Scouts. I’m all about supporting our kids, and I’m happy to make a donation to help next year. But keep the bag of popcorn. It doesn’t come close to Thin Mints or Samoas.
Thin Mints have always been my personal favorite when it comes to Girl Scout Cookies…especially if you eat ’em frozen. But my wife is partial to Samoas. And I totally understand why. Chocolate, caramel and coconut. How can you go wrong with that lineup? So I took this idea and transformed it into baked doughnuts. Imagine a moist, delicious chocolate cake doughnut. Then top that with caramel + coconut and then a drizzle of melted chocolate. These Baked Samoa Doughnuts were incredibly delicious! In fact, thanks to this creation, I might not need to buy 15 boxes of Samoa Cookies this year. Ok, who am I kidding. I’ll still buy 15 boxes. But it’s only to support the kids. I promise.
What is your favorite flavor of Girl Scout Cookie?
Do you have the Cookie Finder App on your phone? (Don’t lie!)
Baked Samoa Doughnuts
Ingredients
For the Doughnuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
For the Toppings
- 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 15 oz. caramels, unwrapped
- 3 Tbsp milk
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chopped (see tip)
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ Tbsp water
Instructions
For the Doughnuts
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Lightly grease donut pan or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Using a medium bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and brown sugar; mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, melted butter and vanilla extract.
- Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture; stir until just combined. Fold the chocolate chips into the batter.
- Spoon or pipe batter into donut pan. (Tip: Fill each donut circle about ⅔ full of batter.)
- Bake at 325°F for 13-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. Let donuts rest in pan for 5 minutes and then invert pan and let donuts fully cool on wire rack.
For the Toppings
- Spread coconut on baking sheet; bake at 325°F for 13-15 minutes, or until light golden brown in color.
- Place the caramels, milk and salt in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in toasted coconut. “Frost” the top of each donut with the coconut-caramel mixture. Set donuts aside. (Tip: I used 2 small spoons to drop spoonfuls of the warm caramel mixture around the top of the doughnut. Then I just pushed it into place so that it fully covered the top. If the caramel mixture cools too much, just heat it back up slightly.)
- Place the chocolate, butter and water in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Using a piping bag with a small round top (or a sandwich bag with one corner snipped off), drizzle tops of donuts with chocolate glaze.
Notes
Thin mints are my favorite, but the samoa is a close second. Love how you turned the flavors into a doughnut! Super yum! I had no idea you could order on-line….that sounds a little dangerous to me! Way too tempting 🙂
Yes! I’m with on the thin mints, Kathy. Maybe I should have done thin mint doughnuts, huh? 🙂 And yes…I think I should put a permanent block on the ability to order cookies online. Somehow the hunt is more fun! 🙂
Oh my! I have had a doughnut craving for about 2 weeks now and this has just made that craving sky rocket!
We have girlscouts here, but they don’t sell cookies which makes me sad.
Your Girl Scouts don’t sell cookies? What is that about?? Tell your Girl Scouts to call our Girl Scouts and get their act together! Seriously. I can’t even imagine how much the Girl Scouts make thanks to their cookie campaign each year. But I say you go get that doughnut today. It’s Doughnut Thursday…didn’t you hear? (Ok, I just made that up to give you a reason to go get that doughnut…)
Hahaha! I did not know there was an App for GS cookies! So, y’all are a house divided too! Lil Shashi loves Thin mints while I adore the heck out of Samoas so when y’all come to visit, remind me to hide the Samoas – as much as I like Laura, she’s not getting any of mine – though I could be swayed if y’all brought me a dozen of these doughnuts! I do enjoy baked doughnuts over fried ones and dude – these could take me to ma happy place!
Hahaha…what is it about those darned Thin Mints and Samoas. Are there even any other kinds of Girl Scout Cookies?? These doughnuts definitely took me to a happy place. But the ultimate irony is that Laura didn’t get to have any because she was out of town when I made ’em. The folks at the curling club enjoyed her portion, though! 🙂
I wish I’d known about that app last year, when I somehow managed to miss ALL the Girl Scouts selling cookies. These doughnuts look unbelievably delicious! And thanks for the heads up about the popcorn, haha.
Wait. You missed ALL the cookies? How is that even possible? I swear those sneaky Girl Scouts lie in wait in grocery store parking lots. Haha. I get it though. I tend to do my shopping on weekdays so I can avoid the crazy weekend crowds. But that means I miss the Girl Scouts, too. Not this year, though! 🙂
You were one of those nice teachers. I never give my students the GS cookies. They can have Oreos!
But yeah, the Girl Scouts deserve major props for making America delicious. It already is great, Donald Trump! We have GS cookies!
These donuts…oh my good lord. Need. Now. Where you at? 😉
Haha! I want to see the Donald stand up with a box of Girl Scout cookies and say America is great….and then proceed to eat the whole box ala Cookie Monster. Hey, you never know, it could happen! 🙂 And these donuts? Yes. Just yes. These donuts need an app just for themselves…to let you know when they’re hot out of the oven!
15 boxes to support the kids! Wow they must love you! I won´t be able to choose: thin mints or samoa, both of them are amazing combos in my book!! 🙂 These doughnuts (spelt the British way b.t.w.) look amazing!!! When are you sending a box over to Spain???
Hey, 15 boxes was just on one trip. It’s for the kids, Johlene. I swear. The kids. But yes, these doughnuts turned out quite well…and disappeared about as quickly as those Girl Scout cookies. I’ll send a box your way next time I make a batch. Deal? 🙂
Shut the front door. YESSSS why didn’t I think of this? Gluten Free Girl Scout cookies are…lacking. I’m glad they are available but they aren’t as good as a Samoa. Time to convince everyone else they like coconut as much as I do 😉
So I can’t speak to the GF Girl Scout Cookies, but it sounds like they need to go back to the drawing board there. But hey, you could create your own Samoa creation at home. GF chocolate doughnuts. Caramel. Coconut. Done! Then maybe you could set up a table selling those bad boys right next to the Girl Scouts. 🙂
Hi David! Chocolate, caramel and coconut are meant to be together! Time to get out my doughnut pans. When I was a Girl Scout we weren’t allowed to set up a spot to sell cookies, we had to lug around a cardboard “suitcase” and go door to door and they sold for $ .35 a box! Oops, really just dated myself!
$0.35 a box!?! No way, Dorothy. You gotta stop with that. Haha! I would have bought your entire inventory. Ok, I know about inflation and all that…but I still would’ve bought your entire inventory. And you know what? I remember Girl Scouts coming around to take orders and then delivering the cookies weeks later. Then when I stumbled on the tables, I remember thinking “Geez…what a good idea. Talk about a gold mine!” Grab those doughnut pans and start baking…these doughnuts are really, really good! 🙂
Samoas are my favorites! And then tagalongs, and I think that’s it… these donuts look fabulous 🙂 That toasted coconut with caramel? So yum! Pinning!
No thin mints for you, Medha?? That’s ok…that just means more for me! These doughnuts turned out quite well, though. I’ll save you one next time I make a batch, mmkay? 🙂
I do understand your wife too, David! Chocolate, caramel, and coconut (No lavender needed in this particular combo) cannot be a bad thing. I think you should have added some caramel, chocolate, and coconut to try making that popcorn taste better (In that case some lavender could be helpful) 😉 And honestly, I don’t have such an app (I even haven’t heard of this). Should I install it? Do we have an app where I can ask you to ship some free donuts?:)
Haha! Caramel, chocolate and coconut on top of jalapeno cheddar popcorn? Hey, that stuff couldn’t have gotten any worse if it tried…so you might be onto something there! And as far as apps, haven’t you seen the new Spiced Doughnut App? You click it and then order your favorite doughnut flavor. A drone is then shipped out carrying the doughnuts right to your front door. Go download that app today! 🙂
David, what a nice idea! I’d love to,sample one. Strange coincidence, but I just finished off a post on a chocolate layer cake with caramel filling and stuffed it into my post queue. No coconut, but still, it appears we’re on similar wavelengths.
Oh, I can’t wait to see that chocolate caramel cake come around, Jeff. (I get the feeling that you’re like me when it comes to posts and queues.) Chocolate and caramel go together like Sonny and Cher…but with less tragic results in the end. Bring on that chocolate cake, my friend!
I never even thought about that. I’m glad that the cake has been completely eaten by now, because if it were still lingering in the fridge, the cake would have separated from the filling, and then then filling would’ve died in a tragic accident in the freezer (but not before becoming the mayor of the vegetable bin), but the cake would go on to have several “retirements” and a huge show in Vegas and it would be way to expensive to expensive to keep around.
I am totally drooling! Seriously chocolate, coconut, caramel, you don’t really need anything else!!!
Quit drooling, Manali! You might ruin your keyboard!
An app…geeze they are on to something!
These ‘girl scouts’ are EVERYWHERE here outside all the malls and shops and they have some attitude when you say no lol haha! Although I never experienced it, having bought boxes each time. This marriage with a doughnut looks amazing!
That’s a good thing that you’ve never turned down the Girl Scouts, mate. I hear they can get quite upset when you don’t buy a box. That’s why I always buy one. Or 12. 🙂
I love your recipes. They are super delicious and I am totally in love with the combo here. Mouth watering doughnuts 🙂
Thanks so much, Kushi! These doughnuts turned out quite well if I say so myself. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
My daughters were both girl scouts when they were little. Selling cookies was not always an easy task, we went door to door and then all the delivering. I think the way they set up tables today is an easier way of doing things. Better yet I think I will make these Samoa doughnuts and forget about the girl scout cookies., they look so yummy!!
Yeah, I totally remember Girl Scouts going door to door when I was young. The tables feel like cheating, but you know what…it’s also kinda genius. Can you imagine how many boxes they sell in a single day?? These doughnuts turned out quite well, Dawn. How about you relive the good old days and make a batch of these…then go around and try selling them to your neighbors. 🙂
Oh my! I totally want to faceplant into these doughnuts! They look so much like the actual cookie! I do not have the cookie finder app on my phone and I’m going to try to forget you even mentioned it! I know what you mean about the table that can’t be passed by. I’m sucked in every time. I just can’t resist those Tagalongs!
Oh, it’s your birthday today, Rachelle! Go download that cookie finder app. You’ve earned a Tagalong or two today! 🙂
Shut the front door! These doughnuts look so much better than the cookies and I’m skipping cookies this year because doughnuts are so much fun. No apps needed, but really…shut the front doot 🙂
Doughnuts are totally more fun than the cookies, Linda! But that won’t keep me from eating 1 or 2 cookies. You know…just to support the Girl Scouts. Shut the front door…shut the back door…shut the side door! 🙂
Awesome, must try one. Thanks for sharing. Also its well presented.
Thanks so much, Arpita! These doughnuts are definitely favorites around our house! 🙂
Sweet recipe are always good! This looks awesome!
I will try it soon David, thanks a lot for sharing. 🙂
Thank you so much, Puja! I hope you enjoy these doughnuts…and I hope you have an awesome weekend! 🙂
There’s seriously a Cookie Finder app?! That’s hilarious!
This is such a good idea for a donut flavor! I never liked coconut until recently, and nowadays I find myself sprinkling shredded coconut on smoothies, yogurts, and pancakes all the time. Yum!
You know you want to go download the cookie finder app, Nicole. Just do it. 🙂 I actually just checked out the Girl Scout cookie locations online, and there are like 3-4 in my area today. Now I just need to try and not go out today…haha! 🙂 P.S. I agree with you about coconut. I love using it in granola, too!
Mines definitely samoas and I made the mistake of only buying three boxes this year. They are almost gone so I’m collecting recipes to help my fix later. This donut…yes!!!
Oh no! Only 3 boxes! Hey, the Girl Scouts around here are going for a couple more weeks (I made the mistake of looking up my zip code on their website…) So there’s still time to hoard boxes and boxes…and boxes. 🙂
oh… your donuts made my mouth water.You just totally inspired me to buy a donut pan.. I’m such a sucker for desserts like this one!
You should totally pick up a donut pan, Marcela! I know they are only good for one task…but who doesn’t love making donuts at home? Plus, they’re baked, so they’re (a little bit) better for you! 🙂
I absolutely love this recipe, so much so I included it in my Ultimate Homemade Donut Recipes Roundup! Great post, have a great day xo
http://dreamingofleaving.com/2017/01/01/the-ultimate-homemade-donut-recipe-roundup/
Awesome! Thank you so much for including this one in your roundup, Jae. I really appreciate it! 🙂
This doughnut recipe is awesome. Everything is so nicely described that really helped me. I am looking forward for more such delicious recipes in future too.
Thanks so much, Mobasir! This is one really tasty doughnut recipe! 🙂