Samoa Cupcakes

​Anybody else counting down the days until Girl Scout Cookie season?  I do not know what they put in those little things but they are SERIOUSLY addicting.  My crack cookies of choice? - thin mints and samoas.  

​I created a cupcake version of the samoa cookie - just to hold me over until the Girl Scouts start peddling their little drugs cookies.  These are ALMOST as good as their cookie counterparts.  

​I don't want my baking to ever be compared to a Girl Scout cookie because lets face it - I'd lose every time.  I don't even consider my baking to be in the same category as the Girl Scouts.  I concede that battle before it even starts.  The Girl Scouts are my inspiration - not my competition.  I hope that you enjoy this little cupcake creation based on the Girl Scout Samoa.

Samoa Cupcakes
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup buttermilk
Caramel Sauce
Chocolate Ganache
Toasted Coconut

Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt for 30 seconds.

​Whip together 1/3 cup butter and 3/4 granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.

​Blend in vegetable oil.

​Add in eggs one at a time mixing just until blended after each addition and adding in vanilla with second egg.

​​Whisk together milk and buttermilk in liquid measuring cup.

​Working in three separate batches and beginning and ending with flour mixture, add 1/3 of the flour mixture followed by 1/2 of the milk mixture and mix just until combined after each addition.

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​Spoon batter into paper lined muffin cups filling each cup nearly 2/3 full (about 1/4 cup batter in each).

​Bake in preheated oven 16 - 19 minutes until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

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Remove from oven and allow to cool in muffin tin several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Spread a layer of chocolate ganache on top of cooled cupcakes.

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​ Top with a mound of toasted coconut.

​Drizzle caramel sauce over coconut.

Finish with a drizzle of chocolate ganache over the top.

Does anybody else picture actual Girl Scouts in uniforms and sashes working in a bright green kitchen, dipping thin mints into a giant vat of chocolate when they think of Girl Scout cookies?  (I blame Keebler for putting the image of baking elves in my brain.)  

Ciao!

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