Keto Samoa Cookie Bars: A Delicious Low-Carb Treat
Hello, fellow keto enthusiasts and dessert lovers! If you're following the keto diet and have been missing some of your favorite treats, I have something special for you today. Have you ever craved those famous Samoa cookies, the ones with the rich caramel, coconut, and chocolate coating? Well, now you can indulge in that same delicious flavor without any of the carbs, thanks to my Keto Samoa Cookie Bars!
These bars are the perfect combination of chewy caramel, toasted coconut, and a rich chocolate drizzle—all with a low-carb twist. Not only are they easy to make, but they’re also gluten-free, sugar-free, and absolutely mouthwatering. Whether you’re looking to impress your family, treat yourself, or share a keto-friendly dessert with friends, these Samoa Cookie Bars will hit the spot.
Let’s dive right into the recipe and get started on making these irresistible bars!
Why You’ll Love These Keto Samoa Cookie Bars
- Low-carb & Keto-friendly: With only 3g of net carbs per serving, these bars won’t kick you out of ketosis, making them the perfect sweet treat.
- Guilt-free indulgence: They have all the delicious flavors of the classic Samoa cookies, but they’re made with keto-approved ingredients.
- Quick & easy to make: These bars come together in no time, and you don’t need any fancy baking skills to make them!
Ready to bake? Let’s gather our ingredients and start!
Ingredients
For the cookie base:
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp erythritol (or your preferred keto sweetener)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
For the caramel coconut topping:
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- 3 tbsp erythritol
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
For the chocolate drizzle:
- ½ cup sugar-free chocolate chips (I recommend Lily’s or another keto-friendly brand)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, erythritol, and baking powder. These are your dry ingredients and will create the base for your bars. Then, incorporate the melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Stir everything together until you have a thick dough.
Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, making sure to spread it evenly. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to flatten the dough into a smooth layer. Once you’ve done that, pop it into the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Once done, remove it from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the caramel coconut topping.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Coconut Topping
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the heavy cream, erythritol, and a pinch of sea salt. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the caramel begins to thicken a bit. Take the saucepan off the heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
Add the shredded coconut to the caramel mixture and mix until all the coconut is well coated. You’ll want the coconut to soak up all that creamy caramel flavor. Once mixed, pour the caramel coconut topping over the cooled cookie base, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
Step 3: Bake the Bars Again
Now that the coconut topping is on, place the pan back into the oven and bake for an additional 10–12 minutes, or until the coconut has toasted and the caramel is bubbling around the edges. The coconut should be golden brown and fragrant. Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate Drizzle
Once your bars have cooled, it’s time for the finishing touch—the chocolate drizzle! In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the sugar-free chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled bars using a spoon or piping bag for a more decorative look. You can also drizzle the chocolate generously or lightly, depending on your preference.
Once the chocolate drizzle is done, place the bars in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Once the chocolate has hardened, slice the bars into squares. These bars are perfect for a snack, dessert, or to share at a gathering. Serve them chilled, and enjoy the delicious combination of chewy, gooey, chocolatey goodness!
Macro Breakdown and Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Serving size: 1 bar
Total yield: About 12 bars
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Fat: 21g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Net Carbs: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 1g (from erythritol, which has no impact on blood sugar)
Preparation Time
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Chill time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Additional Tips
- Let the bars cool completely: It’s essential to let the cookie base and caramel topping cool before slicing, so the bars hold together and the chocolate doesn’t melt.
- Use a sharp knife for clean cuts: After chilling, use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares. This will help prevent the chocolate drizzle from cracking.
- Toast the coconut lightly: When making the coconut topping, you can toast the coconut in a separate pan for 2-3 minutes before mixing it into the caramel for a deeper flavor.
Keto Notes
- Almond flour: This is a go-to flour for keto baking as it’s low in carbs and high in healthy fats. It works great as a base for keto cookies and bars.
- Erythritol: A zero-calorie sweetener that doesn’t affect blood sugar levels. It’s perfect for keto-friendly desserts and won’t spike your insulin.
- Coconut flour: Adds a subtle coconut flavor to the bars while being a great low-carb option for baking.
Nutritional Benefits
- Healthy Fats: The butter, coconut flour, and coconut oil provide healthy fats that help keep you full and satisfied, which is important for staying in ketosis.
- High in Fiber: Almond flour and coconut flour are both high in fiber, which is essential for digestive health and helps keep you feeling full longer.
- Low-Carb: These bars are perfect for those on a keto diet, with only 3g of net carbs per serving. They allow you to enjoy a sweet treat without worrying about spiking your blood sugar.
Tips and Variations
- Add a pinch of sea salt: If you love the sweet-salty combo, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate drizzle before it sets for a pop of flavor.
- Make them dairy-free: If you need to make these bars dairy-free, swap the butter for coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Add nuts: For some crunch, try adding chopped macadamia nuts or pecans to the caramel coconut topping for extra texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a different sweetener?
Yes! You can use monk fruit sweetener, stevia, or another keto-friendly sweetener as a substitute for erythritol. Just make sure to adjust the quantity based on the sweetness of your chosen sweetener.
2. How do I store these bars?
Store your Keto Samoa Cookie Bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can freeze them for as long as 3 months.
Just make sure they’re well-wrapped to avoid freezer burn.
3. Can I make these in advance?
Yes, these bars are perfect for meal prepping! You can make them a few days ahead of time and keep them in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to serve them.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoy making and indulging in these Keto Samoa Cookie Bars as much as I do. They’re the perfect combination of chewy, creamy, and chocolatey goodness, and they allow you to enjoy a classic favorite while sticking to your keto goals. Plus, they’re easy to make and store, so you can enjoy them anytime you need a sweet treat.
Happy baking, and don’t forget to savor every bite of these delicious, guilt-free bars!