Pin it
I wanna let you in on my top-notch copycat treat that'll remind you of those popular Scout cookies! These Samoa Truffles are soft, delightful coconut morsels with deep chocolate flavor and gooey caramel. The cool thing? You don't need to wait for the yearly cookie sales - whip these up whenever you feel like it!
What Makes These So Great
Being totally hooked on Scout cookies my whole life, I needed to create that Samoa taste for any time of year. These little bites nail every flavor note - toasty coconut, smooth caramel, dark chocolate - and they're actually not hard to put together. You can even stick them in your freezer for those sudden sweet tooth moments!
What You'll Need
- Coconut: Pick up sweetened shredded type - we'll brown it for better taste.
- Vanilla Wafers: Just one packet, smashed but leave some chunks.
- Sweet Milk: You'll want a tin of sweetened condensed milk.
- Dulce de Leche: Has to be from a can - normal caramel topping doesn't work right.
- Quality Chocolate: I prefer Ghirardelli melting wafers for top results.
Creating Your Treats
- Brown Your Coconut
- Lay coconut flat on a cookie sheet and stick it in the oven. Watch it closely and mix every 5 minutes till it turns golden - around 15 minutes total. Your house will smell wonderful!
- Combine Your Base
- While coconut browns, combine the broken wafers with your dulce de leche and condensed milk. After the coconut cools slightly, mix it in till everything blends well.
- Form Your Balls
- Take tablespoons of the mix and shape into rounds. Set them on a parchment-lined tray and stick them in the freezer for 30 minutes to get firm.
- Add The Chocolate
- Warm your chocolate gradually in the microwave, mixing every 30 seconds. Dunk each cold truffle bottom in chocolate, then drizzle more across the tops. I cut a tiny hole in a plastic bag for clean drizzling.
Helpful Tricks
From making these tons of times, I've learned some stuff: Always go for canned dulce de leche - the jar kind runs too thin. Keep some cookie bits larger for nice texture. And if melting wafers aren't available, regular chips do the job. Just put them in the fridge since they soften too much at room temp.
How To Keep Them Fresh
These sweet bites stay good in the fridge about two weeks. Want to save them longer? They'll stay tasty for three months frozen - if you can stop yourself from eating them all! I usually make twice as many - some for eating now, some for later.
Try These Twists
I sometimes use golden Oreos instead of vanilla wafers. Or try mixing dark and white chocolate drizzles for a prettier look. My sister sprinkles a tiny bit of sea salt on top - it really transforms the flavor. The recipe can handle changes pretty well, so get creative!
Share The Goodness
Put these in a cute container and you've got an awesome handmade present. I made them for my kid's teachers last holiday season - they thought they came from a fancy shop! Just remember to keep them cold until you hand them over.
Totally Delicious
No more counting days till cookie season! These truffles bring you that authentic Samoa flavor anytime you want. Give them a shot - I'm sure they'll become your new go-to treat!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why do my truffles lose their shape?
Check if your caramel is thick enough. If it's too runny, your truffles won't hold together well.
- → Can I replace candy wafers with chocolate chips?
Of course! Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips will work just as well to coat these truffles.
- → What’s the shelf life of these truffles?
They stay fresh up to 2 weeks in the fridge or can be frozen for 3 months if sealed in an airtight container.
- → Why should I toast the coconut?
Toasting boosts the flavor by giving the coconut a golden, nutty taste and improves the texture.