Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Salted Samoa Bars

Posted by spoonful / 11 comments » / dessert, Recipes

With the wedding quickly approaching I have been trying so hard to be “good” when it comes to sweets so I sadly had to forgo ordering any girl scout cookies this year. However, when I came across this recipe for Samoa Bars I knew I had to try them. Fortunately, the perfect occasion, my friend Robin’s birthday celebration at Arrington Vineyards, arose.  I adapted the recipe slightly per some comments that suggested omitting the egg to produce a better shortbread crust. At the last minute I decide to sprinkle sea salt on top. I absolutely love the combo of caramel, chocolate & sea salt & this was no exception. Make these today & please all of the girl scout cookie lovin’ folks in your life!

{much thanks to the Cookin’ Cowgirl who came to my rescue & graciously allowed for me to use her photo when mine was deleted. Give her some love & check out her awesome blog!}

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Homemade Samoa Bars

Salted Samoa Bars

Yield: 30 bars

Inspired by the favorite Girl Scout cookie & adapted from 'Baking Bites'

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
3 cups shredded sweetened
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp milk
10 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate (chocolate chips are ok)
sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F & line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream together sugar, vanilla extract, and butter, until fluffy. Reduce speed to low & gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly. Pour crumbly dough into prepapred pan and press firmly 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.

3. While base is cooking, toast coconut at the same time by spreading on a cookie sheet. Check every 5 minutes for burning. Remove when the majority of flakes are a golden color.

4. Place unwrapped caramels 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.

5. Put dollops of the topping all over the shortbread base. Using the spatula, spread topping into an even layer. Sprinkle with sea salt. Let topping set until cooled.

6. When cooled, lift parchment paper from pan & cut into 30 bars with a large knife.

7. Once bars are cut, melt chocolate in a small bowl. Dip the base of each bar into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment or wax paper. Transfer all remaining chocolate into a piping bag or a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle bars with chocolate to finish.


Posted by spoonful on June 7, 2011
11 Comments »
 

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11 Responses to “Salted Samoa Bars”

  1. 1

    danielle — June 7, 2011 @ 2:14 pm

    I just bookmarked this one – looks and sounds great!!

    danielle

    • spoonful replied: — June 8th, 2011 @ 12:47 am

      I hope you love it!

  2. 2

    Shannon — June 7, 2011 @ 5:25 pm

    I’m going to have to make these. I don’t buy girl scout cookies because I would eat the whole box, but these look too good to pass up! And even though I don’t consider myself much of a coconut lover, something about the combo of chocolate, caramel, and coconut is simply magical :)

    • spoonful replied: — June 8th, 2011 @ 12:47 am

      I’m with you girl….especially thin mints!

  3. 3

    Leah | So, How's It Taste? — June 7, 2011 @ 6:39 pm

    Wow, these sound awesome! I love Samoas and I like your addition of salt. Sweet & salty is my weakness!

    • spoonful replied: — June 8th, 2011 @ 12:48 am

      You have to try Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate {if you haven’t already} it is amazing!

  4. 4

    Meridian — June 8, 2011 @ 1:58 am

    These look amazing! Yum! I still remember trying to deliver girl scout cookies to one woman after she ordered a lot of boxes a few months earlier and she refused to take them, saying she was “now on a diet.” As a little kid, I just couldn’t understand why she ordered them in the first place and why she wouldn’t take them! haha

    • spoonful replied: — June 8th, 2011 @ 2:03 am

      shut up! that is my memory!!!! were you with me??

  5. 5

    Jules — September 4, 2011 @ 6:45 pm

    OMG!!! I am super excited about this recipe! I lovvvved these as a kid but alwats wanted a homemade version. I never thought I could do them justice. No worries now as u so kindly did the hardwork. I will b trying them soon, needless to say :) ….btw am new to boogie world and really impressed with yours :)

  6. 6

    Jules — September 4, 2011 @ 6:47 pm

    OMG!!! I am super excited about this recipe! I lovvvved these as a kid but alwats wanted a homemade version. I never thought I could do them justice. No worries now as u so kindly did the hardwork. I will b trying them soon, needless to say :) ….btw am new to blog world and really impressed with yours :)

    • spoonful replied: — September 5th, 2011 @ 5:39 pm

      I’m so glad you found my blog & this recipe! It is so delicious & definitely worth making. Let me know how yours turn out!

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