Desserts
Healthy Samoa Cookies
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy Samoa Cookies are made with only five simple ingredients.
- These cookies come together in just about an hour, including prep and bake time.
- They taste just like the real thing, but made with simpler and healthier ingredients.
- As written, this recipe is vegan, plant-based, dairy free, gluten free, and grain free.
- A great way to enjoy girl scout cookies, all year long.
- They are full of delicious dark chocolate, creamy date caramel, and toasted coconut flavor!
- Traditional Samoas, are highly processed and made with loads of saturated fats and artificial flavoring, you won’t find any of that here!
- Check out my healthier twist on the thin mints for another great Girl Scout Favorite!
Ingredients And Substitutions
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for Healthy Samoa Cookies. Scroll down to the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
The shortbread of these cookies are made with almond flour and maple syrup. Oat flour will also work, and you can sub the maple syrup for another sweetener like agave or honey.
In the middle is the one ingredient caramel that is made with medjool dates that have been blended until they are smooth and creamy.
Toasted shredded coconut makes up the third layer.
Lastly, a drizzle of non-dairy chocolate.

How To Make
ONE: Combine almond flour and maple syrup to create the shortbread. Transfer the dough onto some parchment paper and cover it with a separate piece of parchment paper. Take a rolling pin and roll out the dough until it’s about 1/4 of an inch thick.



TWO: Cut out the cookies with a cookie cutter or improvise and use the lid of a nut butter container.

THREE: Poke a hole in the center with a glass or metal straw, then make circular motions until the hole is wide enough, similar to a girl scout cookie. Transfer the cookies onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes.


FIVE: While the cookies are baking, make the date caramel. Remove the pit from the date and place the date it in a bowl before filling it with boiling hot water. Allow to sit for about 10 minutes to soften. Drain the water from the dates and transfer them to a food processor or blender and blend on high speed for 3-5 minutes until you get a creamy caramel texture. Set this mixture aside.



SIX: Next, toast the coconut on the stovetop or in the oven. Watch the coconut closely so it does not burn.


SEVEN: Assemble the cookies by generously layering on the date caramel, toasted coconut and a drizzle of dark chocolate.



EIGHT: Place the cookies in on a plate or baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper and place them in the freezer to harden for about 20-30 minutes. ENJOY!

Tips And Tricks
Make sure you roll the dough in between the two pieces of parchment paper, otherwise it will stick.
If needed, add in water or milk to the food processor when making the date caramel, 1 tablespoon at a time, to help break down the dates and make the caramel smooth and creamy.
Watch the coconut closely when toasting because it will burn quickly.
How To Serve And Store
Serve these Healthy Samoa Cookies straight out of the fridge or freezer.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. In the fridge, these cookies will keep for 7-10 days. Otherwise, in the freezer they will last up to 30-60 days.

Taste And Texture
These Healthy Samoa Cookies taste like the real deal but much healthier. The shortbread is slightly more crunchy compared to the original that has more of a crisp texture. Other than that, the date caramel, coconut and chocolate is pretty spot on.
The texture is crunchy and chewy!

Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! These are much healthier than the original because they are made with healthier ingredients and have no processed sugars or saturated fats.
Oat flour may work, but please note it will alter the recipe slightly.
YES! They totally do, check out the comments and ratings below.

Other Recipes You May Like
If you make these Healthy Samoa Cookies, I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below, under the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on Instagram, Tiktok or Pinterest!
These look so yummy! I’m definitely going to try them out. Quick question: is the coconut sweetened or unsweetened? 🤔
I used unsweetened!
This recipe looks great and can’t wait to try! So much so that I want to make right now and don’t have almond flour. Would I be able to sub oat flour?
Hi Colleen, oat flour will work too. However, texture will be different than what’s pictured above 🙂 Let me know how you like them! xx
This recipe looks amazing! I am diabetic and wondering what the nutritional facts and serving size is? Thank you!!!
Hi Keriann! I am not sure as I don’t count calories or macros but instead focus on what type of ingredients I am using in my recipes. Totally understand why you need that info though and I wish I could press a button and provide it for you. BUTTT if you are looking to find out though you can always plug the ingredients into a calculator on google and it will tell you! As for serving size, 1.2-1 cookie 🙂
These are so delicious and easy. I actually got 24 2 inch cookies! Perfection!
AMAZING!! so glad you enjoyed them 🙂
These we so good and so fun to make too!!
Hi April! Oh i’m so happy to hear that. Thanks so much for your comment! xx