I somehow managed to go this whole year without seeing any Girl Scouts selling cookies. Granted, I wasn’t actively seeking them out, but usually you don’t have to try, you know? They’re practically everywhere. I even remember seeing them when I was an undergrad, lining the main walk through campus during finals week. It kind of seemed like they were sliiightly taking advantage of our sleep-deprived, highly-stressed condition, because people were pretty much like, I NEED ALL THE COOKIES IMMEDIATELY, PLEASE. Well played, Girl Scouts, well played.
Anyway, it’s not like I’ve ever been one to buy large quantities of Girl Scout cookies, but I like a box or two of Samoas every year (I mean really, who doesn’t?!). So without my annual cookie fix, I decided to make my own Samoa-inspired treats: mini pie shells filled with chocolate ganache and salted caramel sauce, topped with toasted coconut, aka mini Samoa pies!
These mini Samoa pies are the perfect bite-sized dessert: they’re sweet with a little bit of salty, a serendipitous union of rich, flaky crust and velvety smooth filling. For the pie crusts, I used my grandmother’s recipe for cream cheese tart shells – around the holidays, she uses it to make mini pecan tarts, which have been a favorite of mine since I was little. It hardly takes any time at all to whip up the dough, and forming the shells is quite easy as well, particularly if you’ve got a tart tamper! This recipe does take a little planning ahead (to let the dough chill and to make the various components), but the amount of active time isn’t too bad and I promise, the end result is well worth the effort! If you’re looking to simplify things, however, you can use store-bought pie dough and/or store-bought caramel sauce to save time.
What are your favorite Girl Scout cookies? Do you have any copycat recipes or cookie-inspired desserts to get you through the Girl Scout cookie dry spells?
Mmm I’m getting that awesome salty carmely taste in my mouth just looking at these photos! Nice job
Thank you! Not gonna lie – that caramel sauce is downright addictive!
Wow, these mini pies are so cute and look delicious! Very nicely done!
Thanks! And thank you for stopping by
I missed out on Girl Scout cookies as well! This looks like a fantastic substitute, most likely even better:))
I’ve seen some awesome copycat recipes for Samoa cookies…but to be honest, they looked like too much work! These mini pies are still a bit of work, but I think they’re far more manageable.
These are so beautiful! Your pie crust is perfect. I have never eaten a Samoa, but your pies look just scrumptious!
Thanks so much! I hadn’t tried Samoas until last year, actually, but it was love at first
sightbite!I want this in my belly right now! This looks so tasty!
You and I both! Thanks
Yum, looks so good
Thank you!
These look absolutely amazing. I have to make them!
Thanks! Let me know what you think if you make them
They are tempting.Wonderful clicks.
Tempting, indeed! Thank you!
So gorgeous!
Thank you! I’m glad they caught your eye.
now, im drooling! yum!
Haha, my work here is done, then. Thanks!
These mini Samoa pies look delicious and I wish I had a few for breakfast
Hmm…I could go for some mini breakfast pies too, now that you mention it!
So cute, I love an individual dessert!
Me too! Plus, it’s way easier to taste-test these than a regular pie if you’re bringing dessert to an event
These look delicious!!
-Rechael
adaydreamlove.com
Thanks, Rechael!
Oh Wow. I need these. Right now.
I agree! I hope you get a chance to try them
Oh, gosh! Samoa’s are the BEST! I found your post through the LinkUp via Peeled Wellness. Can’t wait to try this recipe, thanks for sharing! Pinning for later. Cheers!
I hope you get a chance to try these! Thanks so much for stopping by
Forget the Girl Scout Cookies, can I order a dozen of these?! They look amazing! Can’t wait to try them!!!
Haha, thank you! Enjoy
Oh my goodness these take me back to my girl scout days in a big way. I never was a good salesperson so my mom ended up buying most of my stash. Thanks for linking up on Tuesday!
Kim
http://peeledwellness.com
I sympathize with you on that one – I was/am a terrible salesperson too! I dreaded school fundraisers like selling wrapping paper, cookie dough, etc. And thank *you* for hosting such a lovely link-up each week!
I bet these are even better than the GS version! – Kat
Oh I don’t know about that, those cookies make for some pretty stiff competition! But thank you – I’m flattered
Yes, yes, yes! These look fantastic. Samoas are my absolute favorite Girl Scout Cookies.
They’re my favorite too – no question! Thanks