Buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, toasted coconut, melted chocolate—these Samoa Cookie Bars hit every nostalgic note with ease.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Okay, storytime: I wasn’t ever in Girl Scouts—our town didn’t have a troop, and honestly? I was less about badges and more about snacks. But I did help my neighbor’s kid sell cookies at a grocery store one Saturday. Total freelance cookie duty. And yep—I ate more Samoas than I sold. Classic.
Ever take a bite of something and just freeze? Like, you’re instantly six years old and everything’s okay? That happened. The chewy caramel, the coconut crunch, the chocolate drizzle—it was literally a full-body hug.
Years later, I realized I don’t have time to individually bake and assemble each Samoa cookie. So I made them easier. This bar version? Total life-saver. Same epic flavor, zero cookie cutter drama.
Why You’ll Love This Samoa Cookie Bars Recipe?
Honestly, these Samoa Cookie Bars are the edible equivalent of a comfy sweater. They’ve got the buttery shortbread base you love, a gooey caramel-coconut center (seriously, it’s like dessert yoga for your mouth), and a chocolate bottom for extra drama.
They’re also easy. No chilling balls of dough, no messing with circles. Just press, toast, melt, drizzle. And yes, they’re messy—like lipstick-on-t-shirt messy. But sometimes that’s the point. You’ll want to savor each layer. And maybe fight over the extra coconut. Just me?
Ingredient Notes:
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Butter + Sugar: The backbone. You don’t need fancy ingredients—just room-temp butter and sugar to make a solid base.
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Egg + Vanilla: Adds richness and ties everything together emotionally, if not structurally.
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Flour + Salt: Gives structure, without being overly ‘donuty’ or cake-like.
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Shredded Coconut: Sweet or unsweetened both work. Toasted? Absolutely essential—you’ll thank me later.
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Caramels + Milk + Salt: Melted together until gooey perfection. That salty-sweet combo is addictively good.
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Chocolate (dark or semi-sweet): I go dark, you go rogue—milk or white works too, as long as you drizzle like a boss.
How To Make Samoa Cookie Bars?
Step 1: Bake the base.
Preheat to 350°F. Butter a 9×13 pan, line it with parchment. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy—like your favorite cozy sweater. Add egg + vanilla, mix. Stir in flour + salt until it looks like wet sand. Press it evenly into the pan. Bake 20–25 min until just golden. Let it cool.
Step 2: Toast the coconut.
Drop the temp to 300°F. Spread coconut on a sheet. Bake 15–20 min, stirring now and then until golden. Smells like a tropical vacation—minus the flight delays.
Step 3: Caramel + coconut mash-up.
Unwrap those caramels into a microwave bowl. Add milk + salt. Melt in 30-sec bursts, stirring between each until silky. Fold in coconut. It’s sticky perfection. Try not to eat it all.
Step 4: Build the bars.
Spread warm caramel-coconut on the cooled base. Press it in gently. Let it firm up—fridge it if you’re impatient (no judgment).
Step 5: Cut & dip.
Once cool, lift the parchment and cut into bars (30 is official, but hey, do what you want). Melt chocolate—double boiler or 15-sec bursts in the microwave. Dip each bar’s bottom. Place on parchment. Drizzle tops like you’re frosting a celebration cake.
Step 6: Chill & enjoy.
Chill until the chocolate sets. Then grab one (or three). You’ve earned it.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Storage Options:
Room temp is fine for about 5 days unless your kitchen is basically a sauna. In that case, fridge is better. They freeze beautifully, too—just layer parchment between them. I’ve pulled one out at midnight and been very, very happy.
Variations and Substitutions:
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No gluten? Use 1:1 gluten-free flour in the base. Works like a charm.
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Chocolate freestyle? Milk, white, or even a combo. Get crazy.
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Extra salty? Flaky sea salt on the drizzle—game changer.
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Vegan life? Plant-based butter, coconut milk, vegan caramels and chocolate. You do you.
What to Serve with Samoa Cookie Bars?
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Strong coffee: Because caramel + coconut + chocolate need a solid counterpoint.
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Cold milk or almond milk: Classic combo, still unbeatable.
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Vanilla ice cream: Pop a bar on top and call it a Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use homemade caramel?
Totally. Just make it thick enough to hold coconut.
What if I skip toasting?
You can, but it won’t taste as deep or rich. Toasting makes a big difference.
Can I prep ahead?
Yup. Make ‘em a day early—just cover them tightly or they’ll get scandalously sticky.
So yeah, that’s all. These Samoa Cookie Bars are my go-to when I want a nostalgic treat without the cookie-tray chaos. They’re messy, rich, and a little crazy in the best way. Have you tried a bar version of your favorite cookie? Tell me which one—I’m here for it.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Samoa Cookie Bars
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Base:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Coconut-Caramel Topping:
- 3 cups shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
- 12 ounces chewy caramels approximately 40 unwrapped pieces
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons milk
For the Chocolate Coating and Drizzle:
- 10 ounces dark or semi-sweet chocolate
Instructions
Prepare the Shortbread Base:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch baking pan. Line the base with parchment paper, allowing the edges to slightly overhang for easy removal.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the egg and vanilla extract; mix until fully combined. On low speed, gradually incorporate the flour and salt until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly sand.
- Transfer the dough into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Set aside to cool completely on a wire rack.
Toast the Coconut:
- Reduce oven temperature to 300°F (150°C). Spread the shredded coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Toast for 15–20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the coconut turns a golden brown. Allow to cool on the tray.
Prepare the Caramel Mixture:
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the unwrapped caramels, milk, and salt. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals for 3–4 minutes total, stirring between intervals, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
- Fold in the toasted coconut using a spatula until evenly coated.
Assemble the Topping:
- Spread the caramel-coconut mixture evenly over the cooled shortbread base. Press gently into place using a piece of parchment paper. Allow the bars to cool and set at room temperature or refrigerate briefly if needed.
Slice and Coat:
- Once cooled and firm, lift the bars from the pan using the parchment edges. Slice into 30 equal pieces. Line a baking sheet with fresh parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method), stirring until smooth. Dip the base of each bar into the melted chocolate, then place on the prepared tray.
- Pour remaining chocolate into a small plastic bag, snip off the corner, and drizzle over the tops of the bars.
Chill to Set:
- Refrigerate the finished bars until the chocolate has set completely. Store in an airtight container once fully cooled.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
