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    Home » Cupcake Recipes

    Modified: Jul 21, 2022 · Published: Mar 6, 2020 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    The Best Samoa Cupcakes

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    Jump to Recipe

    Are you a fan of Girl Scout cookies and easy desserts? Many of us anxiously await that time of year when delicious Girl Scout cookies will be sold. It is a chance to stock up on favorites and make a yummy treat like The Best Samoa Cupcakes ever!

    The famous Samoa cookie inspired today's recipe. As a mom of three Girl Scouts, I can say that one of the most popular sellers is Samoas. Crunchy cookies drizzled in chocolate, toasted coconut, and caramel—I mean, what's not to love? For more chocolate goodness, try our Hot Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe.

    Chocolate cupcakes topped with Samoa cookies
    Jump to:
    • Why these Samoa cupcakes are the best
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Samoa cookie cupcakes
    • How to make cream cheese frosting
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Related posts

    Why these Samoa cupcakes are the best

    What makes these cupcakes the best? Well first of all, you'll love how they start out with a base of cake mix and pudding mix. Then there are some unexpected ingredients thrown into the chocolate cupcake, which just serve to really deepen the flavor. And of course each cupcake is topped with a Samoa cookie. So you better find a local Girl Scout and stock up on those cookies.

    I'll let you in on a little secret though. If you're reading this and Girl Scout cookie season is over, you can still make these cupcakes with a similar cookie. Now they are not quite as amazing as Samoas, but if you're looking for a good replica that tastes pretty great, might I suggest Keebler Coconut Dreams. You can find them at your local grocery store, and if you can't, I've included a link here where you can purchase Coconut Dreams.

    chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting

    Ingredients

    • Devil’s food cake mix
    • Instant chocolate pudding mix
    • Sour cream
    • Vegetable oil
    • Eggs
    • Coconut Extract
    • Instant espresso granules
    • Semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • Unsalted butter
    • Cream cheese
    • Powdered sugar
    • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • Brewed hot coffee
    • Chocolate syrup
    • Samoa Cookies (or Coconut Dreams)
    samoa cupcakes

    How to make Samoa cookie cupcakes

    Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with 24 cupcake liners.

    Set up your stand mixer with the paddle attachment. You can buy my favorite stand mixer here.  Beat together the cake mix and pudding mix, sour cream, oil, eggs, coconut extract, and espresso water mixture.

    Beat for about two minutes on medium speed, until well combined.

    Distribute the batter evenly into 24 muffin cups. I find the easiest way to do this is to use an ice cream scoop. It's good for more than just ice cream!

    Place cupcakes in the oven and bake them for 18-22 minutes. Then remove them from the oven and allow them to cool inside the muffin tins for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin tins and allow to fully cool on a wire rack.

    As the cupcakes cool you can prepare your frosting.

    How to make cream cheese frosting

    To make the frosting, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. This process should take you  about 1  ½ minutes.

    Place room temperature butter and cream cheese in a stand mixer, starting on low, then increasing speed to medium-high. Cream them together until they are a light and fluffy pale yellow.

    In a separate bowl, add 4 tablespoons of hot coffee to cocoa and stir. If the mixture is still very thick, you can add 1 more tablespoon of hot coffee.

    Add the cooled chocolate and cocoa/coffee mixture to the stand mixer with the creamed butter and cream cheese.
    Turn the mixer on to the lowest setting and add gradually add in confectioners sugar, 1 cup at a time. Once the sugar has become incorporated, turn the mixer on high for 1-2 minutes.

    You will want to make sure the cupcakes are cool before your frost them. I used a piping bag and tips to frost my cupcakes.

    Drizzle some chocolate syrup over the frosted cupcake and top with a Samoa cookie.

    Hope you enjoy one of our favorite desserts!

    cupcakes topped with chocolate frosting and samoa cookies

    📖 Recipe

    The Best Samoa Cupcakes

    Vicky
    If you are obsessed with Girl Scout Samoa cookies, you must try the The Best Samoa Cupcakes ever! All the flavor you love in Samoas. Plus, I have a swap if you can't find Samoas.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 12 minutes mins
    Cook Time 22 minutes mins
    Total Time 34 minutes mins
    Course Cupcakes, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24
    Calories 418 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Cupcakes

    • 1 18.25 oz package devil’s food cake mix
    • 1 3.4 oz package instant chocolate pudding mix
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 cup vegetable oil
    • 4 eggs lightly beaten, room temp
    • 1 teaspoon pure coconut extract
    • 1 tablespoon instant espresso granules dissolved in ½ cup warm water

    CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

    • 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter
    • 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
    • 2 cups powder sugar
    • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 3 tablespoon brewed hot coffee
    • Chocolate fudge drizzle
    • 24 Samoa Cookies

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Line muffin tin with 24 cupcake liners.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cake mix and pudding mix, sour cream, oil, eggs, coconut extract, and espresso water mixture.
    • Beat for about two minutes on medium speed until well combined.
    • Distribute the batter evenly into 24 muffin cups.
    • Bake for 18-22 minutes.
    • Allow cupcakes to cool inside muffin tins for 10 minutes.
    • Remove cupcakes from muffin tins and allow to fully cool on a wire rack.
    • As the cupcakes are cooling, prepare your frosting.
    • In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. (should be about 1 ½ minutes total)
    • Place room temperature butter and cream cheese in a stand mixer, starting on low, then increasing speed to medium-high. Cream them together until they are a light and fluffy pale yellow.
    • In a separate bowl, add 4 tablespoons of hot coffee to cocoa and stir. If the mixture is still very thick, you can add 1 more tablespoon of hot coffee.
    • Add the cooled chocolate and cocoa/coffee mixture to the stand mixer with the creamed butter and cream cheese.Turn the mixer on to the lowest setting and add gradually add in confectioners sugar, 1 cup at a time. Once the sugar has become incorporated, turn the mixer on high for 1-2 minutes.
    • Make sure cupcakes are cool before frosting.
    • Frost using a piping bag and tip and top each cupcake with one Samoa cookie.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 418kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 4gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 136mgPotassium: 168mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 589IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword cupcake recipe, samoa cupcakes
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using online calculators. Your nutritional information may vary depending on numerous factors.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I store Samoa cupcakes?

    You can store these in an air tight container for 4 days on the counter or 6 days in the refrigerator.

    How can I make sure the frosting on the cupcakes looks good?

    Wait for the cupcakes to cool off completely before frosting. It can be tempting to frost them right away, but if the cupcakes are even slightly warm the frosting will melt.

    Related posts

    • Cupcake Recipes to Make with Kids
    • Rainbow Cupcakes
    • Shaving Cream and Water Bead Cupcakes
    • Popcorn Cupcakes - Food Fun Friday
    • Oreo Cupcakes Recipe
    • Mermaid Birthday Party Cupcakes

    More Cupcake Recipes

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    • Easter Bunny Butt Cupcakes
      Easter Bunny Butt Cupcakes
    • Hot Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe
    • Rainbow Cupcakes

    Comments

      5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. SHANIKA says

      March 06, 2020 at 3:29 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! These Cupcakes look amazing! Such a great punch of Samoa flavor!

      Reply
    2. Scarlet | Family Focus Blog says

      March 06, 2020 at 2:56 pm

      This Samoa cupcakes look so good! I can't wait to try the recipe!

      Reply
    3. Mirlene says

      March 06, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      5 stars
      The texture is fantastic. I mean, that is exactly what I aim for when I make mine. Delicious frosting, too - would work perfectly to celebrate a special day!

      Reply
    4. Anjali says

      March 06, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      5 stars
      Omg these are everything I love about samoa cookies just taken to the next level!! I can't wait to make these with my kids this weekend!

      Reply
    5. Kacey Perez says

      March 06, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      These are so fun and sound absolutely delicious! My kids would love this recipe!

      Reply
    6. Anita says

      March 06, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      5 stars
      These are so good, even without the samoa cookies, though not sure if they can still be called samoa cupcakes. But the cupcake and the frosting alone are plenty delicious. 🙂

      Reply
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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