Tutorial Tuesday: Girl Scout Samoa Cupcakes (with a free Turkey Circle Printable!!)

Samoas are my absolute favorite cookie in the world.  My favorite, I tell you!  And it just so happens that chocolate cupcakes topped with a delicious caramel frosting, drizzled with chocolate, and sprinkled with toasted coconut sounds like the perfect flavor combination for Autumn & Thanksgiving!

This recipe from Sweet Pea's Kitchen is delectable, moist, and truly delicious and what's more, I've included a sweet little 'Turkey Day' cupcake circle printable for you to top them off with!

Girl Scout Samoa Cupcakes


For the Cupcakes:

Ingredients:
~ 2 cups flour
~ 3/4 cup natural cocoa powder
~ 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter, room temperature
~ 1 3/4 cups sugar
~ 1/2 teaspoon salt
~ 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
~ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
~ 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
~ 4 large eggs, room temperature
~ 1 1/2 cups milk

For the Caramel Frosting:
~ 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter
~ 1/2 teaspoon salt
~ 2 cups packed brown sugar
~ 1/2 cup milk
~ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
~ 4 cups powdered sugar
~ 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
~ 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions:
1.) Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line muffin pan with paper liners.

2.) In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and cocoa powder.

3.) In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar, salt, baking soda, vanilla, and coconut extract until fluffy and light, at least 3-4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed add in the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the milk beating just until combined.

4.)Fill the cupcake papers 1/2 full, making sure that the batter is divided evenly. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20-22 minutes. Tilt each cupcake in the muffin pan so it sits at an angle. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan at this angle for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

5.) To toast the coconut, spread the coconut onto a rimmed sheet pan. Toast in a 350°F oven, stirring frequently, until the coconut is an even brown color, about 10 minutes.

To make the frosting:
1.) Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the salt and brown sugar and heat the mixture to boiling, stirring constantly. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the milk and return to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm, about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2.) Once the caramel frosting mixture is lukewarm, transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the powdered sugar and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Adjust consistency with a little more milk or powdered sugar, if necessary.

3.) Heat chocolate chips in microwave for about 30 seconds or until drizzling consistency.

4.) Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip. Pipe a spiral of frosting, beginning at the outer edge and working inward. Drizzle the frosted cupcakes with melted chocolate and garnish with toasted coconut.

And now for your free 'Turkey Day' printable (scroll down for the multiple page):

Download the Multiple Page Here:

Multiple Thanksgiving Circles

Just print as many of these as you need and use a 2" craft punch to cut them out, like this one from Michael's Craft Store (the Uchida Clever Lever 2" MEGA Craft Punch):

If you prefer, you can also cut them out at the squares or with scissors, but there will be many more free cupcake circles from Juneberry Lane heading your way in the months ahead, so you might as well just make the investment now:)  Next, tape a toothpick to the back and insert in your scrumptious samoa cupcakes and you are all set!

See, I TOLD you that you would be getting more freebies for being fabulous!!!