Healthy Homemade Samoas
These healthy homemade Samoas are made with just four simple ingredients: coconut, dates, chocolate, and coconut oil. They are not only easy to make but also Vegan Samoas cookies and Gluten-free Samoas, perfect for anyone looking for a treat without processed ingredients.
Inspired by the popular Girl Scout cookie, these cookies are a delicious way to enjoy a favorite flavor any time of the year. This 4-ingredient Samoas recipe is simple and uses natural ingredients while still capturing the taste and texture of traditional Samoas.
WHY CHOOSE HEALTHIER HOMEMADE SAMOAS
Traditional Samoas are highly processed and contain saturated fats, white sugar, and artificial flavorings. These healthy homemade Samoas skip all the extra ingredients, focusing on natural flavors and simple ingredients. They use Medjool dates cookies, toasted coconut, and chocolate to create a treat that tastes like the real thing. Using lower-sugar chocolate chips, such as Lily’s or Hu Kitchen gems, helps keep the sugar content lower while keeping the cookies vegan and dairy-free.
These Vegan Samoas cookies are not necessarily low in calories, but they are made with natural sugars from the dates and contain no preservatives, making them a cleaner alternative to store-bought Samoas. The natural caramel flavor from the Medjool dates cookies makes these treats very close to the original cookies’ flavor.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR 4-INGREDIENT SAMOAS RECIPE
- Medjool Dates – These add natural sweetness and a caramel flavor. They are key to making these cookies taste like traditional Samoas. You can buy pitted Medjool dates or pit them yourself. Popular brands include Natural Delights (available in most grocery stores) or Joolies (available online).
- Unsweetened Shredded Coconut – Make sure it is unsweetened to keep the recipe healthy.
- Dark Chocolate (chips or chopped bar) – A lower-sugar, vegan option such as Lily’s chocolate is recommended.
- Coconut Oil – Helps make melted chocolate easier to work with and hardens it in the freezer. Refined coconut oil is recommended if you prefer no coconut flavor.
HOW TO MAKE THIS 4-INGREDIENT SAMOAS RECIPE
- TOAST THE COCONUT – Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread the shredded coconut on a baking sheet and toast for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Keep a close eye on it, as coconut can burn quickly. You can also toast the coconut on the stove-top if preferred.
- PROCESS THE MIXTURE – Add the Medjool dates cookies and toasted coconut to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture forms a dough that can be shaped into cookies.
- FORM THE COOKIES – Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon balls and shape into round cookies. Use a straw or chopstick to make a hole in the center. Adjust the shape as needed.
- CHILL THE COOKIES – Place the shaped cookies on parchment paper and freeze for a few minutes to firm them up before coating with chocolate.
- MELT THE CHOCOLATE – Combine chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-30 second increments until melted and smooth enough to drizzle over the cookies.
- COAT THE COOKIES – Remove cookies from the freezer and dip the bottom of each cookie in chocolate. Place on parchment paper and use the remaining chocolate to drizzle over the tops.
- FREEZE TO HARDEN – Return the cookies to the freezer for 10-15 minutes to let the chocolate harden completely.
- ENJOY – Let the Vegan Samoas cookies sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving if desired.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DATES ARE DRY
Fresh Medjool dates are usually soft, but if your dates feel dry, soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes to soften and rehydrate. Drain well and pat dry before using to make the Medjool dates cookies easier to form.
HOW TO STORE GLUTEN-FREE SAMOAS
Store the cookies in a sealed container in the fridge for up to one week, or in the freezer for up to three months. These healthy homemade Samoas can be enjoyed immediately after chilling or kept for later.
2. CAN I MAKE THESE SAMOAS ALL YEAR ROUND?
Yes! This 4-ingredient Samoas recipe can be made anytime, so there’s no need to wait for Girl Scout cookie season.
3. ARE THESE VEGAN SAMOAS COOKIES REALLY SWEET ENOUGH WITHOUT SUGAR?
Yes! The Medjool dates cookies provide natural caramel-like sweetness, and the chocolate adds extra flavor, making these cookies taste very close to traditional Samoas.
5. ARE THESE GLUTEN-FREE SAMOAS SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH ALLERGIES?
Yes! These Gluten-free Samoas are free from gluten, dairy, and refined sugar, making them suitable for many dietary preferences, including vegan diets.
Here are a few more delicious dessert recipes you might want to try:
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healthy homemade Samoas
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates around 10 dates
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate Lily’s chocolate chips or any low-sugar option
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread the shredded coconut evenly on a baking sheet. Toast for 3-5 minutes until it turns light golden. Keep an eye on it, as coconut can burn quickly. Alternatively, toast it in a pan on the stove.
- Place the toasted coconut and Medjool dates cookies in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture combines and starts forming a dough.
- Remove the dough and roll it into 1-tablespoon balls. Flatten slightly into round cookie shapes. Use a straw or chopstick to make a hole in the center. Adjust the shape if needed.
- Place the shaped cookies on parchment paper and freeze for about 5 minutes to firm them up while melting the chocolate.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate and coconut oil. Melt in 20-30 second intervals, stirring until smooth and easy to drizzle.
- Take the cookies from the freezer and dip the bottoms in melted chocolate. Place them back on the parchment and drizzle the remaining chocolate over the tops.
- Return the cookies to the freezer or fridge for 10-15 minutes until the chocolate is set. Once hardened, they can be easily removed from the parchment.
- Enjoy immediately by letting the cookies sit for a few minutes at room temperature. For later, store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to one week.
Notes
- Dry or hard dates: Soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes to soften. Drain well before using.
- Coconut oil: Helps thin the chocolate for easier dipping and helps it harden. It can be skipped, but the chocolate may be thicker.
- Add protein: To make protein Samoas, add 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder and 1-4 tablespoons of water in the food processor with the dates and coconut. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed. Whey protein usually requires less water, while plant-based protein may need 3-4 tablespoons.
Nutrition
If you’ve tried this healthy homemade samoas or any other recipe on my website, I’d love to hear about your experience! Please leave a 🌟 star rating and share your thoughts in the 📝 comments below. Thank you so much for visiting!
