Samoas Bars

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Hubby loves girl scout cookies. Specifically Samoas. I grew up in the Midwest, and we always called them Caramel Delights. Whatever you call them, everyone loves them. I saw this recipe come up and I knew I had to make these.

These bars do take a little bit of time because each step requires some wait time before you can move on to the next step. In the end, they’re definitely worth the effort. Hubby did comment that the cookie part tasted a bit off. I think there’s just a higher ratio of the cookie part than in the girl scout version.

Homemade Samoas Bars – from Baking Bites – makes 30 barsCookie 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 prepared 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) – I used sweetened
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels – I used the Kraft caramel bits
1/4 tsp salt
3 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.

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 – I used a spoon to spread some melted chocolate on the bottom of each bar. I then laid them chocolate side up to set the chocolate.

Transfer all remaining chocolate 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.

Bars and Brownies, Dessert

14 comments »

18 Responses to “Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes”

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1

Colleen — July 16, 2009 at 4:22 pm

These look amazing! I love that you added even more peanut butter flavor too!
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2

Amy Kingman — July 16, 2009 at 4:54 pm

Mmmmmm! These look incredible!! AH! My weakness!!!!
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3

Memória — July 16, 2009 at 4:57 pm

Oh wow!! This looks soo good. I would make the cupcakes with the Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate cake recipe and then use the other recipes you provided. Thanks!!!!
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4

Jen — July 16, 2009 at 5:04 pm

You could definitely use any chocolate cupcake recipe that you want!
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Stephanie Wagner — July 16, 2009 at 7:30 pm

These look awesome! I bet they’re really rich!
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6

oneordinaryday — July 16, 2009 at 8:05 pm

Holy. Cow.
These look sooo darn good!
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7

Jill — July 17, 2009 at 3:51 am

I saw your picture on Tastespotting and had to see more! Your cupcakes look delicious!
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8

Kerstin — July 17, 2009 at 3:54 am

Wow, these look beyond incredible! I’m completely impressed 🙂
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Jennifer — July 17, 2009 at 10:32 am

peanut butter cups…one of my favorites!! What an awesome cupcake!!!
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Laura — July 17, 2009 at 1:50 pm

Oh. My. God. I think my DH is packing his bags to leave me as we speak!

These look soooo good. I bet it’s all you can do to eat one they are so rich!
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11

Erin — July 18, 2009 at 11:28 pm

These look delicious! Chocolate and peanut butter is the most fabulous combination!
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Scott W. — July 23, 2009 at 12:35 am

Alright, so you’ve gotta make some cupcakes when we are in Pennsylvania. These would work. Yummy!!!
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Jen — July 23, 2009 at 12:38 am

haha no prob Scott. Just let me know what you’re in the mood for. These were delicious…
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Ingrid — July 26, 2009 at 1:13 am

The only time I like chocolate or PB is when they’re together so these are looking pretty good to me!
~ingrid

Btw, your salmon and the “sauce” looked really good too!
~ingrid
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15

Mermaid Sweets — July 27, 2009 at 5:09 am

Thanks so much for the link back, your cuppies look amazing.
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comfycook — February 24, 2010 at 2:12 pm

I just discovered these and can’t wait to make them. Love chocolate and peanut butter.
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LauraC — May 4, 2010 at 8:13 pm

I just made your vegan chocolate cupcakes over the weekend for some vegan friends and they were a huge hit. I had bookmarked this cupcake recipe for mother’s day because I LOVE peanut butter cups.

Anyway I wanted to let you know the woman from Confetti Cakes was on Rachel Ray and they posted the official recipe on the Rachel Ray website. Not sure if you want to link it?

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/chocolate-cake/
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Jan — February 23, 2012 at 7:29 am

THank you for this post! I tried the cupcakes out here: http://www.themediamaid.com/2012/cupcake-celebrations/

and loved it!