SAMOA COOKIE BARS – Butter with a Side of Bread by Gordon Ramsay

SAMOA COOKIE BARS - Butter with a Side of Bread


Samoa Cookie Bars made with chocolate, caramel and coconut. Moist, delicious cookie bars that have all the flavors of the famous Samoa cookies we all love!

Samoa Cookie Bars made with chocolate, caramel and coconut. Moist, delicious cookie bars that have all the flavors of the famous Samoa cookies we all love!

Anyone else love Girl Scout cookies? I actually used to be a Girl Scout a very long time ago and had the privilege of being the one to sell them. Tagalongs are actually my favorite, but the Samoas are up there in my top favorites for sure. But in recent years, there have been multiple times where I have completely missed the Girl Scout cookie buying window and let’s be honest – they are so expensive! So I decided to find ways to get my Girl Scout cookie fix in my own kitchen.

Cookie bars that taste like girl scout Samoa cookies

This recipe for Samoa Cookie Bars has become a favorite treat in my house. I honestly think that these bars are even better than Samoa Cookies.  They are so moist, chocolatey and have so much caramel….they are absolutely amazing!  The best part is that you can make these any time you want…all year long!

How do you make cookie bars?

Cookies are an easy dessert, but cookie bars are even easier. Instead of scooping out each individual cookie separately. No need to bake tray after tray of cookies. All the ingredients are put in a 9X13 pan and baked at one time. Cookie bars are sliced and served after baking  – so easy!

Samoa Cookie Bars made with chocolate, caramel and coconut

Ingredients in Samoa Cookie Bars

Butter – The primary ingredient in most cookies. Use real butter (not margarine), for best results and make sure the butter is softened to room temperature (not melted). Salted or unsalted works fine.

Brown sugar  – Don’t leave the sweetness out! Make sure your brown sugar is fresh and not dried out for best results.

Vanilla extract – I suggest using a good quality vanilla extract or a Vanilla Bean Paste. I linked my favorites!

Egg

Flour – Regular all-purpose flour works best!

Salt

Baking powder – Double check to make sure this isn’t expired!

Coconut – Flaked coconut can be purchased in bags in the baking aisle.

Caramels – You will need about 30 caramels. You can also use caramel baking bits if you prefer.

Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Semi-sweet chocolate works best in this recipe, but you can use milk chocolate as well – both are delicious!

Milk – I use 2% because that’s what we have in the fridge, but pretty much any type of milk will work great. The milk is just used to thin out the caramels. You could even use water if desired, but the milk adds a little bit more richness to the caramel layers.

Step by step instructions on how to make samoa cookie bars

How to make Samoa Cookie Bars

In a large bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar, vanilla and egg with an electric mixer.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder and 1 1/2 cups coconut.  Combine dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.  Spread mixture in a greased 9X13 pan.  Bake at 350° for 15 minutes.

Melt half of the caramels and 1 Tbsp milk in a glass bowl in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval until smooth and completely melted.  Drizzle the melted caramel over the crust and return to the oven for 10-12 minutes until medium brown and caramel is bubbly.

Sprinkle bars with chocolate chips, let sit for about 2 minutes and then spread the chocolate evenly over the bars.  Cool completely.  Melt the remaining caramel with the remaining 1 Tbsp milk and drizzle over the chocolate.  Garnish with the remaining coconut.

Samoa Cookie Bars made with chocolate, caramel and coconut. Moist, delicious cookie bars that have all the flavors of the famous Samoa cookies we all love!

SAMOA COOKIE BARS

Samoa Cookie Bars made with chocolate, caramel and coconut. Moist, delicious cookie bars that taste just like the famous Samoa cookies we all love!

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: samoa cookie bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 32

Author: Butter With a Side of Bread

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 cups coconut – divided
  • 10 oz caramels about 30 caramels – divided (I think you could also use a jar of caramel ice cream topping if you want to simplify!)
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 Tbsp milk divided

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar, vanilla and egg.

  • In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder and 1 1/2 cups coconut.

  • Combine dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Spread mixture in a greased 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

  • Melt half of the caramels and 1 Tbsp milk in a glass bowl in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval until smooth and completely melted. Drizzle the melted caramel over the crust and return to the oven for 10-12 minutes until medium brown and caramel is bubbly.

  • Sprinkle bars with chocolate chips, let sit for about 2 minutes and then spread the chocolate evenly over the bars. Cool completely.

  • Melt the remaining caramel with the remaining 1 Tbsp milk and drizzle over the chocolate. Garnish with the remaining coconut. Enjoy!

Cookie bars with the flavors of Samoa Girl Scout cookies

How to soften butter

Make sure you use softened butter – DON’T melt it! One of the most common errors in cookie making is using butter that is either really cold and hard, or using butter that is too warm and melted. If you have time, just leave butter out on the counter for about 1-2 hours before making your cookies. If you are like me and don’t plan your cookie cravings that far in advance, just place the butter in your microwave and soften in 5 second intervals, being very careful to pull it out before it melts. I actually like to use the defrost setting on my microwave to soften butter- I don’t know the technical reasons behind it, but it seems to soften the butter more evenly and takes a little bit longer so I’m less likely to start melting it! 

Samoa cookie bars made with chocolate, caramel and coconut

LOVE BAR COOKIES? HERE ARE OUR FAVORITE DESSERT BAR RECIPES!

Samoa Cookie Bars made with chocolate, caramel and coconut. Moist, delicious cookie bars that have all the flavors of the famous Samoa cookies we all love!

Samoa Cookie Bars made with chocolate, caramel and coconut. Moist, delicious cookie bars that taste just like the famous Samoa cookies we all love!

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Samoa Cookie Bars ~ Butter With A Side of Bread
Samoa Cookie Bars ~ Butter With A Side of Bread

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