For a quick and easy sweet snack that is also a good serving of fruit, try these Samoa Caramel Apples! They're made with date caramel and are a fun take on the classic cookie flavor.
My favorite Girl Scout cookie is Samoas, and I've created a fun snack inspired by the delicious flavor combination of caramel, coconut, and chocolate. Using a date caramel sauce that's refined-sugar free, you can feel great about eating these with your family!
The Coined Breakdown
- Total Cost per serving: $1.16
- Total Cost (4 servings): $4.63
- Those Other Guys: $4.99 per serving
Ingredients
- Granny Smith Apples - I prefer using Granny Smith because they are slightly tart (which offsets the sweetness of the other ingredients) and they tend to be a more sturdy apple. Feel free to substitute with your favorite type of apple.
- Date Caramel - I've found using dates makes the most realistic caramel sauce that doesn't have any added sugar. You can find my recipe for homemade date caramel on the website; I also include steps below in the recipe card.
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes - Personally, I grab the unsweetened kind because the date caramel is naturally really sweet!
- Dark Chocolate Chips - To get that beautiful chocolate drizzle. You can also use milk chocolate or semi-sweet.
- Coconut Oil - We melt the chocolate with just a tad of coconut oil to get a silky smooth consistency.
Variations and Substitutions
Regular Caramel: You can also grab a jar of regular caramel sauce to use in this recipe. If you only have the soft caramel candies, add them to a bowl with heavy cream and melt to get a smooth consistency.
Almond Butter: Instead of date caramel, you can stir together a combination of almond butter, maple syrup, and a little vanilla extract.
Samoa Caramel Apple Nachos: Cut the apples into wedges and arrange them on a plate. Drizzle the date caramel on top, sprinkle the coconut flakes, and top with melted chocolate.
Add Your Favorite Toppings: Mini M&Ms, chopped pecans, or sprinkles make these even more fun to eat!
How to Make Samoa Caramel Apple Slices
Step 1: Start by washing your apples. Slice them into equal rounds using a sharp knife.
Step 2: Then, use a measuring spoon or melon ball to core the apple slices.
Step 3: Mix together the date caramel and shredded coconut flakes in a small bowl.
Step 4: Using a butter knife, spread the coconut caramel onto the apple slices.
Step 5: Melt your chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave in 30 second intervals, until silky smooth.
Step 6: Add the melted chocolate to a pastry bag, snip a hole in the top, and drizzle chocolate on top of the apples. Chill in the fridge, and serve!
Recipe Pro Tips
- Make cleanup easy. Line your baking tray with parchment paper before adding the apples and drizzling chocolate on top. This way, you can simply bunch up the dirty paper and toss it.
- Core the entire apple if possible. If you have an apple corer, use that before slicing into rings to save some time. If not, follow my instructions and core each apple slice using a teaspoon or melon baller.
Recipe FAQs
Yep! Use any kind of apple that you enjoy eating like Honeycrisp or Gala. Just make sure it's nice and firm to hold the toppings.
Fill a Ziploc bag with the melted chocolate and snip a small cut on the top. In a pinch, you can always just drizzle chocolate on the apples using a fork!
You can add the apples to a storage container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
If you use vegan chocolate, yes it is! You can feel good about serving this to your family as it's made with mostly whole ingredients.
Other Snack Recipes You'll Love!
If you tried this Samoa Caramel Apples Recipe, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Thanks for visiting!
Samoa Caramel Apples with Date Caramel
Equipment
- Chef's Knife
- Butter Knife
- Pastry Bag or Ziploc bag
- Large Baking Pan
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 2 count Granny Smith apples
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
Date Caramel Sauce - you'll need ½ cup for this recipe
- 10 ounces Medjool dates
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup warm water to thin out the caramel
Instructions
Making the Date Caramel
- If you haven't already made the date caramel sauce, it's pretty easy! To a food processor, add softened pitted dates, almond milk, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Blend well until fully combined.
- If you prefer, you can thin the sauce out with warm water. Pour a couple tablespoons at a time, blending afterwards, to ensure you get the perfect consistency.
- Reserve ½ cup for the Samoa Caramel Apples.
Assembling the Samoa Caramel Apple Slices
- In a small bowl, mix together the date caramel and shredded coconut. Set aside.
- Wash the apples, turn them on their side, and slice into ¼ inch thick slices.
- Using a teaspoon, melon baller, or large metal straw - remove the apple core from the slices. Set the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Add a bit of the caramel-coconut mixture to each apple slice.
- Heat up the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals until melted. Pour the melted chocolate into a pastry bag or Ziploc bag.
- Cut a small hole in the tip of the bag, and drizzle chocolate on the apples.
- Add the pan to the refrigerator for a few minutes until the chocolate sets.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Collette Garbinger says
Our entire family loved these so much! I've made this recipe twice last week alone just for my kiddos after school. We have nut allergies, so using the date caramel instead of nut butters (in most recipes) is genius!
Shani W. says
I love to hear that! Thank you for commenting and trying my recipe, Collette!