Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Homemade Samoas Cookie Bars


toasting the coconut






Everyone has their favorite times of year and mine involve the holidays, summertime, and Girl Scout cookie season. I literally dream about Samoa cookies year round similarly to how I long for Christmas in August. So when I found this recipe for homemade Samoa cookie squares, I couldn't resist baking them immediately. They exceeded my expectations and I now no longer have to wait until Spring for my Samoa fix.

Base:
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

First, make the crust.Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper.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 prepapred 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
3 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels (used dulce de leche instead)
1/4 tsp salt3 tbsp milk
10 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate (chocolate chips are ok)

Preheat oven to 300. 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. 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. Makes 30 bar cookies.

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those look amazing!

k said...

oh gosh, those look delicious!

Collette Osuna said...

These look yummy...and VERY sinful:)

Statements in Fashion

shopgirl said...

I've never heard of these dessert bars before.

Goodness - these look delicious!

Diana Mieczan said...

They look so yummy...I love caramel:)
Kisses,sweetie and have a great day

Ps: I will be hosting a cute GIVEAWAY this afternoon… so please join in !!!!

Erica said...

Omg! These look insane! I love Samoas, but I have a feeling these taste even better!

Lilacandgrey said...

never had one! They look super rich and delish!

Lynzy said...

Uhm... scrumptious! YUM


xo Lynzy
http://fromskirtstoskillets.blogspot.com

torrie said...

These look great!! I love that picture on top! That is so funny about Girl Scout cookie season. I love GS cookies... reminds me of my GS days:). I wish they had the boys sell cookies too - you, know - to support the girls! All he sells is popcorn- like, really expensive popcorn!

Cindy said...

Delish!! Samoas were always my fave too! Thanks for sharing the recipe. xo

Annie said...

wow Valerie, these look amazing!!! I love that they have coconut. I've never heard of them before this post!

3 Including Me... said...

Holy... wow! Those look fantastic, and gooey! Thats a good combo!

Oh, My Darling said...

Wow, how tasty!

Gabriel said...

They are awesome! I recommend trying them with ice cream.

Cafe Fashionista said...

These have ALWAYS been my absolute favorite Girl Scout Cookie selection - I can literally eat boxes of these. And now I can make them myself. Ohmigosh I LOVE you for this recipe, Valerie!! :)

Nikki said...

Wow Valerie, these look like something special.
I need to try your recipe! Your pics are amazing, I feel like I can taste the caramel sauce!


xx
Nikki

Josie said...

SHUT. UP. That first photo of the caramel honestly made my stomach growl. These are so pretty, and I bet they're crazy-delicious! And have I mentioned that your photos of Gabe eating on your food posts are hysterical?
xo Josie
http://winskmilestyle.blogspot.com

Lindsay said...

I always love the pics of your hubby! He looks so happy :) You are sucha good wifey!

StacieBlair said...

Wow these look delish! I may need to make those very soon!!

Great blog.

xox
stacieblair
ps: im now a follower, hope you can be one of mine :)

STYLE'N said...

Valerie-you are quite the fashionista and your baking is pretty impressive too! This completely brings back memories of girl scouts and this was one of my favorite cookies (love the thin mints too!)
Naina

Whitney said...

I just made Samoa cupcakes!! :) Too funny.

I think I like your recipe better.. Mine was way too hard!

Love it!

Chas said...

Yum! I love coconut so I will have to give these a try!

Poppies and Sunshine said...

Oh my these look WONDERFUL!

Destined For Now said...

It's fate! I looked up a overly complicated recipe to replicate the cookies and now you share this simple gem. Thank you!

20 YORK STREET said...

Gabe's gotta be one happy man! Thank you sooo much for voting for me, the comment you left is so touching!

Really, really appreciate it... I feel the same way about you!

Much love,

ML

Unknown said...

Mmmmm yummy! Thanks for sharing. But how come there isn't a picture of YOU eating some? ;)

Yes, definitely check out Payless before the sale is gone. You'll definitely want some of their flats.

Amber said...

Wow that looks yummy. Thanks for your comment today on my guest post over at Oh My Darling. I have been exploring your blog and its quite lovely. Consider me your new follower :)

PursuitOfLLT said...

I live for girl scout cookies. Thin mints in the freezer = perfection!

I will definitely have to give this a try! :)

Gorgeous Glam said...

These are one of my favs ever!! Yummm!

Nicole said...

I love that every recipe has a picture of Gabe enjoying it!! So cute!

Andrea said...

Thank you for the sweet comment yesterday, you made my day! I really am going to have to try this recipe, it looks delish!

Leia said...

Omg those look AMAZING!

Leia

the chirpy bird said...

I'm droooooooling! How fantastic! I'll definitely be trying these!
xo tash

Blogs said...

we made cookie bars last year:) super yum...yours look divine!

Bionica said...

you must open up a shoppe for your yummy creations girl =)

-Bionica

Jess said...

Oh.My.Gosh. I'm almost drooling!!!

Lila said...

They are my families favorite cookies.... I'll have to try this recipe asap.

Mandy said...

Omg, I am obsessed with that kind of Girl Scout cookies as well - those crazy, addictive coconut ones :) This recipe is first on my list of what to bake next!

Unknown said...

those look UNREAL.. i just had dinner...now I need that for dessert. I love samoas, too!

xx anna jane

Marcie said...

Your baking skills are getting better and better! This looks delicious. Those Girl Scout cookies are my favorite too, and I am so excited you found something to hold us over before spring! As always, I love the pictures of Gabe taste tasting!

xo M

this free bird said...

holy cow. that would be me after i ate the entire pan.

xoxo,
carrie

Suzanne Anas Jurich said...

Oh my gosh!! These look like the best things ever! ...adding to my recipes! Thanks!! :)

Bren said...

OMG Valerie, they look SO good! I'm going to have to try that recipe, and I'm not even a fan of coconut! LOL!

xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty

Jessica said...

YUM! I hope you saved me one ;)

erica said...

wow that looks amazing

Liesl said...

Oh my goodness those look divine!!!

Liesl :)

P.S. Congrats on your win hosted by Diana at Express-O!

Alexandra said...

Oh my goodness! Yum! I finally got around to making those Nutella Cheesecake Brownies... and posted about them on both blogs, linking it back to you! Thanks so much for the idea, they were absolutely delicious.