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°. 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
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 285Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 116mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 25gProtein: 3g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
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!!