Samoa Donuts Chocolate Caramel

This sweet treat brings back the joy of childhood cookie flavors in a soft baked donut that is easy to prepare and fun to share with your family or neighbors

I made these for a family brunch last spring and they were gone before the coffee finished brewing everyone was asking for the recipe before they left

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: creates a tender structure look for unbleached for best results
• Cornstarch: helps keep the donuts soft
• Baking powder and baking soda: give a light rise
• Ground nutmeg: adds warm subtle flavor
• Granulated sugar: for balanced sweetness
• Milk: binds and softens the batter whole or 2 percent work well
• Sour cream: adds moisture and slight tang you can swap with plain yogurt
• Large egg: binds and enriches the batter
• Unsalted butter: melted for richness
• Vanilla extract: for warm aroma use pure extract
• Shredded sweetened coconut: toasted for deep flavor and texture
• Soft caramels: for a smooth caramel topping
• Milk: to loosen the caramel for spreading
• Salt: to balance the sweetness in the caramel
• Dark chocolate melting wafers: for rich chocolate coating and drizzle

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat and Prep:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease your donut pan so the donuts release easily after baking

Mix Dry Ingredients:

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour cornstarch baking powder baking soda nutmeg and sugar until evenly combined and no lumps remain

Combine Wet Ingredients:

Add the milk sour cream egg melted butter and vanilla extract to the dry mixture stirring gently until the batter is smooth without lumps do not overmix

Pipe Batter:

Transfer the batter into a piping bag and pipe into the prepared donut pan filling each cavity about two thirds full to allow space for rising

Bake and Cool:

Bake for about ten minutes or until the tops spring back lightly when touched let the donuts cool completely on a wire rack before adding toppings

Melt Chocolate:

Place the chocolate wafers in a microwave safe bowl and heat in twenty second intervals stirring between each until fully melted dip the bottoms of the cooled donuts into the chocolate and place chocolate side up to set

Prepare Caramel Coconut:

Melt the soft caramels with milk in the microwave until smooth then stir in the salt and toasted coconut until the mixture is fully coated and sticky

Top Donuts:

Spread the caramel coconut mixture over the top of each donut using a spoon or offset spatula for even coverage

Drizzle Chocolate:

Use the remaining melted chocolate to drizzle over the tops of the donuts in thin zigzag lines for a classic Samoa look

Set and Serve:

Allow the toppings to set fully before serving or store in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh

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I love the toasted coconut in this recipe as it reminds me of making coconut candy with my grandmother on quiet afternoons and the smell alone is worth the effort

Storage Tips

Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days for best freshness you can also freeze the plain baked donuts and add toppings after thawing for a just made texture

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Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap sour cream with plain yogurt for a lighter option and if you prefer milk chocolate you can replace dark chocolate wafers to suit your taste

Serving Suggestions

Serve these donuts with hot coffee or cold milk they make a delightful brunch treat or a sweet afternoon snack with friends

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I make Samoa donuts without a donut pan?

Yes, you can use a muffin tin and shape the batter into rings using foil or parchment to mimic a donut shape, but a donut pan will give the most consistent results.

→ How can I prevent the donuts from sticking to the pan?

Lightly grease your donut pan with nonstick spray or butter to ensure the donuts release easily after baking without tearing.

→ Is it necessary to toast the coconut before using?

Toasting the coconut enhances its flavor and gives a deeper, nutty taste that complements the caramel and chocolate well, but you can use it untoasted if pressed for time.

→ How should I store the finished Samoa donuts?

Store the finished donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate if your kitchen is warm to prevent the chocolate from melting.

→ Can I freeze Samoa donuts for later?

Yes, you can freeze the plain baked donuts and add the caramel, coconut, and chocolate toppings after thawing to maintain a freshly made texture.

→ What type of chocolate is best for drizzling?

Dark chocolate melting wafers or chopped dark chocolate bars provide a smooth, rich drizzle that sets well, but you can substitute with milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter flavor.