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I love Samoas! They are my favorite Girl Scout cookie. I’ve seen lots of different recipes for them online, but when I saw this recipe for samoa bars on Baking Bites that was easier to make, I decided they would be perfect to take to an upcoming church activity.
They were a big hit with my family and the ladies at church. The yummy caramel coconut topping tastes just like the cookie. The shortbread crust is delicious. Different than the cookie, but no one, including me, complained. Thanks Nicole for sharing the recipe.
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Homemade Samoa Bars
Ingredients
- COOKIE BASE:
- ½ cup sugar
- ¾ cup butter softened
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- TOPPING
- 3 cups shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
- 12- oz good-quality chewy caramels
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp milk
- 10 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate chocolate chips are ok
Instructions
- First, make the crust.
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper.
- (I lined mine with foil.)
- In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly, like wet sand. The dough does not need to come together. Pour crumbly dough into prepared pan and press into an even layer.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until base is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack before topping.
- TOPPING
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Spread coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and toast 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until coconut is golden. (Mine was golden after 10 minutes.)Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
- Unwrap the caramels and place in a large microwave-safe bowl with milk and salt. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir a few times to help the caramel melt. When smooth, fold in toasted coconut with a spatula. Put dollops of the topping all over the shortbread base. Using the spatula, spread topping into an even layer. Let topping set until cooled. When cooled, cut into 30 bars with a large knife or a pizza cutter (it’s easy to get it through the topping).
- Once bars are cut, melt chocolate in a small bowl. Heat on high in the microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring thoroughly to prevent scorching. Dip the base of each bar into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment or wax paper. Transfer all remaining chocolate (or melt a bit of additional chocolate, if necessary) into a piping bag or a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle bars with chocolate to finish. Let chocolate set completely before storing in an airtight container.
Melbourne jobs
fabulous… thanks for the recipe
Cathy
These look incredible. I LOVE samoas and I just can't wait to try these!
Justin
i think this is a must-try recipe
Mrs. L
Yum, Somoa's are my favorite GS cookie too! Though if I made them I probably would no longer be able to fit through my front door cuz I would never stop eating them.
The Blonde Duck
I could just inhale the platter.
Joyce
I just copied the recipe to make these this summer. They are my all time favorite GS cookies. One year I was the GS cookie Mom for my daughters troop and I spent a fortune on these. I think I ate a box all by myself ever few days. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Joye
Talita
YUmm, looks so decadent, Barbara! I never bake something like that.
Maria
Love this treat!
Delectable Dining
These look wonderful… I can't wait to make them~
Jaime
oh boy, i love samoas!! they are my favorite GS cookie
CookiePie
Oh, I LOOOOVE Samoas! Your bars look so delicious!
oneofagrind
I've heard so much about Girl Scout Cookies but have never tasted them. We don't have girl scouts in India. This looks like a simple recipe. Worth a try.. thanks for the share 🙂
Candy Girl
I love Samoas (around here we call them Caramel Delights) but rarely buy them as other GS cookies are closer to my heart. These look even better than the original.
Ginger
Barbara,
Samoas are also my favorite! These bars sound unbelievable. Thanks for sharing because it is a way to enjoy Samoas all year long.
Sara
Samoas are my favorite girl scout cookie too!
Debbie
Oh my they just look soooo good!!!! I love Samoa's!
pigpigscorner
I've never had these before actually but they look really delicious!
Carrian
Oh, my husband would love you!!! Samoas are his fave!
Mindika
These look dangerously good. Samoa's are my husbands favorite girl scout cookie as well. He's been out of town on business but gets back tonight, maybe I'll make them for him as a surprise "welcome home" treat. You may be his new best friend.
Deborah
These would be dangerous at my house since we love samoas so much!