Samoas Bars
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.
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
Looks great!! I love the history info too 🙂 Congrats you did an awesome job!
Love the history info and your buttercream looks so silky. Nicely done!
good job! rolls like the yule log and the pumpkin roll really aren’t too hard to make, but they’re great to bring to get togethers b/c everyone loves them 🙂
Congrats on your first “real” yule log. I wasn’t crazy about the buttercream either, though I did like the coffee flavor!
Yum! Very nice, creamy-looking buttercream. Looks delish! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I went for raspberry inside too – and agree that chocolate frosting would be tastier. Good job!
You did an awesome job, Jen!
Your log turned out so pretty – as did the mushrooms!
Way to go!
xoxo
Your log looks wonderful, so silky creamy. Happy Holidays!
Your log looks awesome. Congratulations on completing the challenge.
Very pretty! I thought this one was harder than the “Buche” I made in French class too.
I love your texturing – nice log!
Job well done. I made it with chocolate buttercream and I think it would have gone lovely with raspberry.
I love the idea of the raspberry filling with the coffee buttercream. That must have tasted incredible.
As worldly as I thought I was at the time, I never could have attempted anything this complex in high school. You did a great job with your… it looks luscious!
I hope you had a joyous holiday, and that 2008 brings you health and happiness, laughter and love.
Great bûche de Noël and I loved reading your post.
Happy Holidays!
Julius from Occasional Baker
You aced this challenge like a pro! It looks gorgeous!
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
Your filling looks and sounds delicious! I went with chocolate for the outside, and loved it. Great job!
A very pretty log! Well done!
Cheers,
Rosa
Nice work there. I love the combination of raspberry and chocolate – mmmm! Congrats on your challenge and happy new year 🙂
jen at use real butter
Oooh I love the idea of the raspberry in the log!