Is there anyone else who thinks the tiny boxes of girl scout cookies are a rip off???
Now don't get me wrong, I supported one of our local troops and bought a few boxes.
There are not enough cookies for the price. This is just my own ranting soap box here. Please don't take this personally if you have a girl in scouts!
I would just rather bake my own homemade girl scout recipes.
I tried these homemade Samoa Bars last night...mmmm...I think these are even better than the real deal.(I could eat the whole pan, but I won't because summer is right around the corner)
Pair it with a cup of coffee and you have a real treat. Maybe even a great breakfast...but I wouldn't know about that! Wink, wink!
Yes!!! They are as yummy as they look.
Ready, Set, GO BAKE!!!!
Homemade Samoas recipe:
Homemade Samoa Bars
Homemade Samoa Bars - shortbread cookies topped with a caramel coconut layer and dipped in chocolate.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
For the Topping
- 3 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- 12-oz chewy caramels, I used Kraft
- 3 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons shortening
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the coconut evenly on a baking sheet and toast for 5 minutes, stirring every 1-2 minutes, until coconut is golden. Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
- Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and butter, until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Slowly beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly.
- Pour the dough crumbs into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The edges should be lightly brown. Cool completely on a wire rack before adding the topping.
- Unwrap the caramels and place in a small sauce pan with the salt and milk. Heat on medium low heat until melted and creamy. Stir in the toasted coconut.
- Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Let cool completely. Cut into 24 squares.
- Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds and stir. Continue heating for 15 seconds, stirring after each time. Do not over heat.
- Dip the bottoms of the bars in the chocolate and place on a piece of wax paper to set.
- Place the remaining chocolate in a small plastic bag and cut off one corner. Drizzle the chocolate over the tops of the bars. Let set. Store in a sealed container on the counter. Makes 24 squares.
Notes
Lightly adapted from these Samoas Bars
Donna
I have a question, the photo shows a creamy layer between the crust and the caramel layer yet there are no ingredients listed for this layer. Am I missing something?
Jocelyn
That isn't a creamy layer...it's the crust. The very bottom of the crust is dipped in chocolate, so it makes it look like a three layer dessert. I hope that helps and you enjoy the bars!
Jessica
I made these last night and are delicious. I have a question about the recipe: I only see one measurement of salt in the ingredients, but two mentions of it in the directions. How much salt do I add to the crust?
Jocelyn
I'm so sorry about that. Somehow I forgot to add the salt in the ingredients for the caramel layer. The recipe has been fixed. Thank you so much for letting me know. I'm glad you enjoyed the bars!
Tiffany
These look amazing! Thank you so much 🙂
Also, I wasn't sure, but can I substitute the shortening? And with what would you suggest?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I use shortening to help thin the chocolate and also to keep it from getting clumpy when it heats up. You can melt it without it, just do it slowly, or you can use a little bit of butter or oil.
Bonnie
Hi there!
My husband asked me to add this cookie to our Christmas Cookie Day list (my family and I make 10-12 different kinds of cookies the Sunday before Christmas - super fun, but super exhausting!) so we'll be trying out this recipe today! One thing I noticed in reading the recipe is in the second step, you say to slowly beat in flour and salt, but you don't list salt in the crust ingredients. I checked the recipe you adapted, so I'll be fine for today, but wanted to give you the heads up! Thanks for all the great recipes - I love your blog!
Merry Christmas!
Bonnie
The Inspiration Network
I know these are oldies...but we've featured them at The Inspiration Network! They look delicious!
http://theinspiration-network.com/homemade-samoa-bars-from-inside-bru-crew-life/
Smiles,
Melanie and Diana
The Inspiration Network Girls
Vicki Bensinger
Wow these are so simple. Who wouldn't want to make these. Although with swimsuit season here I may have to give them away after sampling one of them.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I hear you...swim suit season came way too soon. I need to give away everything I bake from now until October 🙂
Iva
those look amazing!!
Kari Day
Ok, those make me soooo hungry! YUMMY! And yes, I think they are a rip-off... I try to think of it as a donation.
http://setfreetosucceed.blogspot.com
http://psalm118--5.blogspot.com
chubskulit
Hi there, following you from Friday Follow.. Hope you can hop over my place when you get a chance. It's nice meeting new friends!
Cassie
Those look super yummy! If I liked coconut, I'd be sold!
Mrs. Dunbar
OMGoodness Samoas are my absolute favorite girl scout cookie! I will most definitely try these, thanks for the tip.
Amy
Oh my - those looks good. I think I might have to cook those.
Just visiting our followers - Wishing you a Happy Spring.
Kiana
Oh no, Samoa's are my husband's favorite! I almost feel obligated to make these for him and he doesn't even know about it lol. And yes, those boxes are way small!
http://www.dottheiwedding.com
brandy
Jocelyn, thanks for linking back to my blog and leaving a comment! I received many comments, but nobody gave feedback on whether or not they made them. I'm going to try some of the other GS cookie recipes from Baking Bites soon!
Off to browse the rest of your blog... 🙂
Traci
All your goodies get my sweet tooth aching...cupcakes, samoa bars...oh, my goodness!
Thanks for sharing! And I too think those GS cookies are a rip-off!
Miss Jody
Oh.my.gosh.
You.
My friend.
Make life worth living.
I can make dozens!!!
and eat them all.
by myself. 🙂
Candace
YUM-O! Enough said...mostly because drool will fall out of my mouth at any second!
Taija
YUM-O!! Those sound/look incredible too!! Thanks for sharing such great recipes!
Evelyn Perkins
Wow!!! I don't even like coconut and my mouth is watering just looking at these!! YUM!!
Q, La, and Gooner
That is complete wow! They are SO tasty but such a rip off! I can't wait to try these AFTER I heal all up and in moderation!
Sarah Ann
YUM!!! Those boxes are definitely a rip-off... So why do I buy them?!
I'm doing a giveaway - come check it out @ sarahannrogers.com
Winter
WOW! Those look good! I love seeing all the good stuff you make! 🙂
ReJOYce!
Yummy! You are so right: pair it with a cup of coffee, Mmmm... DELISH! Have a Great Weekend!
Jennychick
Samoas are my favorite!!! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I am so excited to try it!
Mich
Yummy!
Have a great weekend!
LLL with Leslie
Thank you for the follow. I am following you back 🙂
Have a great day!
Leslie
http://www.livelovelaughwithleslie.com
Melissa Cornell
you are evil!!! They look delish!!
Sweet and Savory
These look really good. I have to try these.
GroverFamily
Thanks for stopping by on Friday Followers! Im now following you back...and I totally agree on the tiny expensive box of girl scout cookies...i love them but i dont like paying the price...homemade is a great idea!
Kelly L
Yum!
Love,
Kelly
Jenni
OH YUM! going to try these!
The Phillips Place
Samoa's are my husband's fave! I am checking the pantry now to see if I have what I need...and send most of them to work with him, because you are sooo right about summer being just around the corner!! 🙂
Sarah
Oh I am so gonna try these, asap! Thanks Jocelyn!! xoxo
Amber Zimmerman
Those look soooooo yummy! I just downed an entire box of thin mint cookies BY MYSELF! Oy! Those things are the devil.
Courtney Baker
Oh my. Seriously those look AMAZING!
MrsB
they look INCREDIBLE.
Jessica
going to have to try those for sure!
carissa @ lowercase letters
oh heavens... bless you for sharing this sweet goodness with all of us!
Kaz and Amy
Those look so delicious! I can't wait to try them!
Have a wonderful Thursday!
Adie
These are my favorite girl scout cookies! I did not buy any this year but trust me I have sent a few to campo in previous years!
Mindy
You spoke right to my heart.. or my stomach. 😉 I LOVE Samoas!! I also have a hard time dishing out the cash for so many (read sarcasm) cookies. I will have to try this one for sure, and there is a bonus in there: I won't have to share very much, only me and a couple of kiddos like the things!
LeAnna
You are single handedly going to be responsible for all the weight I gain this pregnancy. I hope you can live with that.
Those look incredible.
Brandi
Jocelyn,
Oh my goodness! These look so yummy! You should make up batches of these and sell them on Etsy! Ha Ha!
Brandi
Angie S
Yum! I'm gonna have to bake some up!
The Crispins
I am so glad you posted this! Can't wait to try it!
gina
YUMMY!!! Those GS cookies are MY favorite, but only 15 come in a box- 15!!
amy
Those look delicious! I agree with you on the cookies. Especially when I eat a whole row in one sitting; there's not much left after that. hehe
On a side note, I responded to the frosting tip question on my blog. :o)