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Homemade Girl Scout Cookies – Samoas Bars

These homemade girl scout cookies samoas bars are the perfect cookie substitute. So simple to make and packed full of coconut, caramel and chocolate flavor.

These homemade girl scout samoas cookie bars are better than the original! Easy to make and totally delicious!

I love love love love girl scout cookies.  I swear. I could eat a box at a time.  I probably shouldn’t admit to that….

Anyway, now that we have established that I love girl scout cookies I’m also betting that there are others out there who love them as much as I do.  My favorite one of their cookies is hands down the Samoas.  They have such a delicious crunchy bottom topped with a chewy coconut topping.  Plus not to mention the addition of chocolate…yum!

I have been eying Baking Bites homemade samoas bars recipe for over a year. I’m not sure why it took me so long to make these gems but I finally got around to it yesterday.  Amazing. Horribly amazing. The reason I say “horribly” is because all I wanted to do was eat them last night. I had to stop myself at two and boxed the rest up for Mr.NN to take to work. I was not going to be left home with all those bars today….it would not have been good….

These homemade samoas bars are packed full of cookie flavor. Easy to make and totally delicious in every single way.

These homemade samoas bars are packed full of cookie flavor. Easy to make and totally delicious in every single way.

Homemade Samoas Bars

Author: Brandy O’Neill – Nutmeg Nanny
These homemade girl scout cookies Samoas bars are the perfect cookie substitute. So simple to make and packed full of coconut, caramel, and chocolate flavor.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 9 x13 pan

Ingredients

For Cookie Base:

For Topping:

  • 3 cups shredded sweetened coconut
  • 12 ounces chewy caramels unwrapped
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • 10 ounces dark chocolate chips

Instructions

For cookie crust:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it 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 the mixture is crumbly, like wet sand. The dough does not need to come together.
  • Pour crumbly dough into the prepared pan and press into an even layer.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the base, is set and the edges are lightly browned.
  • Cool completely on a wire rack before topping.

For topping:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  • Spread coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and toast for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the coconut is golden.
  • Cool on the baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
  • Unwrap the caramels and place them 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 the 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 the bars are cut, melt the 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 it 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 the chocolate set completely before storing it in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword homemade girl scout cookies, homemade samoas, samoas cookies
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and 5 star review!
These homemade girl scout samoas cookie bars are better than the original! Easy to make and packed full of caramel, chocolate and coconut flavor!
Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Recipe Rating




Jillian

Monday 19th of December 2022

I made these today and was quite happy with them. I did make some minor changes based on personal preference.

I used a whole 14oz bag of coconut, and probably 16oz of caramel, 4TB half and half because it’s what I had. I did not dunk the bottom of the bar in chocolate. Just drizzled on top so it isn’t too overpowering and the coconut shines through.

Will definitely make again, and If I had been thinking ahead, I would have sprinkled red and green sprinkles on top for Christmas.

Highly recommend using an oversized parchment sheet in the pan. Makes it super easy to lift out to cool the cookie down, then put it back in the pan once cool and makes it easy to add the coconut/caramel mixture. I pushed down on the coconut mix to smooth it out. Stuck in the fridge then lifted out again and put on a cutting board. I cut into 48 squares and separated them slightly, still on the parchment. Drizzled chocolate over them. Then put in a container once the chocolate firmed up. Made clean up a breeze!

misty

Friday 8th of February 2019

Made these today and they tasted great!

Judy

Thursday 7th of September 2017

I just made these! Thanks so much for the recipe. It was time-consuming but fun! My coconut/caramel mixture was a little drier than I expected, but it stuck to the cookie layer just fine. I used milk chocolate on the bottom, but it didn't set up as easily, so I switched to semi-sweet chocolate for the decoration on top.

NO REASON NEEDED

Tuesday 8th of November 2011

These mustn't be available in Canada, I've never seen them.

Diana @ a girl, a dog and an oven

Sunday 27th of March 2011

These were amazing - I made them for a party and everyone loved them! Thank you!

http://girl-dog-oven.blogspot.com/2011/03/end-finally-homemade-samoas.html

nutmegnanny

Sunday 27th of March 2011

Thank you so much! I'm so glad they were a big hit :)

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