Try these Better Than Samoas Bars for a tasty dessert. These are a great substitute if you don’t prefer the cookie variation.
Better Than Samoas Bars
Girl Scout Cookie “season” is upon us. You may not think of it as a season, but I do … and I look forward to buying my fair share of boxes every year. It seems this year, I may miss out on all those yummy boxes, unless I can find a table set up in front of my local Wally World. I love the Samoas, Thin Mints and the Tagalongs!
I wanted a “Samoa” style dessert awhile back and decided to venture into making my own. I didn’t necessarily want cookies, because truthfully, I don’t like making cookies. I knew I wanted some type of bar or brownie.
I used my homemade caramel sauce for this recipe, but feel free to use store-bought if that fits your time and lifestyle better! I liked the idea of adding pecans too … but they are totally optional.
I hope you enjoy these as much as my family did …. they were so good and the perfect little treat for when it’s not Girl Scout Cookie “season”. 😉
Other recipes you may enjoy
Better Than Samoas Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup butter, softened 2 sticks
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- ½ cup toasted coconut*
- ½ cup toasted pecans optional*
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing the edges to hang over. Spray the foil with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the first three ingredients. Cut in butter. Press into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with caramel. Spread evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the coconut, pecans and chocolate chips over the top. Return the pan to the oven for an additional 7-8 minutes. Allow to cool completely before removing from the pan.
- Lift foil out of the pan. Cut into bars. Store covered.
Notes
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Place coconut or pecans on a baking sheet. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until they are toasted.
- Be careful and keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on February 15, 2013. Updated on April 22, 2021.
All my favorites in one! {still can not pin, though}
Samoas are my favorite! I've got a couple of fundraisers coming up that I need to bake for, so this is one of them! Thanks.
These look fantastic! Pinned to try! 🙂
Magic lady! Pinned 🙂
Hi Jamie, how delicious these look. I'll have to be making these in case I'm snowed in again so I will have a snack while watching the snow plows.
Have a great weekend,
Joanne/Winelady Cooks
Oh My – this looks DELICIOUS and so inviting !!
Definitely the kind of treats that I LOVE
Drool! Found you on Farm Girl Friday! I would love to have you share this on The Creative HomeAcre Hop today!
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/02/the-creative-homeacre-hop-3.html
Looks so good! Thank you for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday. Can't wait to see what you bring next week to our party.
These do look yummy! New follower via GFC. I look forward to future posts.
These look delicious, something my husband would enjoy. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I love samoas, so I know I would love these. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday.
I love samoas. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday.
These look wonderful! Pinned!
I'd love to see them linked up tonight at Two Cup Tuesday on Pint Sized Baker.
Samoa's are my favorite!! These look amazing! Thanks for sharing at Show Me Your Plaid Monday's!
Oh my! These look amazing. Samoas are my favorite GS cookie. I will be adding this to my list.
Mmmm these bars look absolutely delicious!!!!!!
Yummy! Note to Self: Make these asap:) Have a great week~ Lynn
That's probably my favorite GS cookie–which is weird because I don't normally like coconut. Your bars are awesome, Jamie! Thank you for linking this week.
Yesss a'la Girl Scout cookies! Way to go
Thanks so much for sharing. I'd love to have you come link this up to our Teach Me Tuesday Linky – it's brand new and in need of creative contributions! http://www.somedayilllearn.com/2013/02/18/teach-me-tuesday-5/
Somoas are my absolute favorite Girl Scout Cookie! This recipe looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing! I can't wait to try these:)
Shannon
http://www.cozycountryliving.com
Jamie, these look absolutely yummy! Believe it or not Girl Scouts in Canada don't sell Samoas cookies 🙁 I am pining this cause I need to try these 🙂
Oh, I love samoa cookies and these bars look divine! What a great idea! 🙂
Blessings,
Lesslie
These look good and I am on a diet but I may have to make these for our game night one Friday! Pinned! Thanks!
Makes my mouth water to look at these! Thank you so much for linking up with us!
http://www.countrifiedhicks.com
http://www.facebook.com/countrifiedhicks
How perfect are these! Samoas are my hubby's favorite. I am definitely giving these a try! Would love to have you link these up at my party this week.
http://www.bloominghomestead.com/2013/02/crafty-tuesday-link-party-21913.html
-Marie
Jamie,
These look so good. I can't wait to give this recipe a try. Have a great day.
Debi
Wow!! These look terrific! 🙂 Pinned! Thanks for another yummy recipe! 🙂
Brenda
ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com
I've never had a samoa before, but I'm going to believe that these are indeed better. They look amazingly delicious!
Oh my golly! These look heavenly! I'd eat the entire pan!
Yum! For some reason I always miss girl scout cookies. I think I can buy them next week, next week, next week… and then they're gone. Will have to try if I miss them again this year.
I don't think I have bought Girl Scout cookies in a few years! The Somoas were one of my favorites! I will have to give these a try!
Forgive me for being so late in thanking you for linking up to the In and Out of the Kitchen party! I just got back from vacation and am trying to play catch up!
See you next week at the In and Out of the Kitchen party!
Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com
I love Samoas, these look so good!! Thanks for sharing!
~Sarah Lynn @ Sarah Lynn's Sweets
Yum Jamie! Those look fantastic!
I honestly think I just swooned reading this recipe. Samosas are my favorite, but we've been trying not to eat processed foods. With homemade caramel sauce this recipe still fits out eating plan. Thank you so much!
I'd love if you'd come join my How To Tuesday link party, too.
http://housewifehowtos.com/link-party-2/how-to-tuesday-link-party-9/
Oh my, those look delicious!
Kathie
http://www.sassylittlelady.com
I love desserts with coconut in them. And pecans. And chocolate! These look delicious! Thank you for posting this recipe. Lynaea @ EverydayBloom.com
Hi Jamie,
These bars look awesome! Hope you have a fabulous week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
I just pinned these and shared them on Facebook!! Thank you for sharing at Freedom Fridays Blog Hop and thank you for being one of my Five Faves!!
Hope you day is just totally awesome!!
Your post from last week was one of the ones featured! Come grab a button in a few minutes. http://www.countrifiedhicks.com
Oh how you torment me – these look divine, I wish I had some RIGHT NOW! 🙂
Oh my gosh! I think I just gained 5 pounds. Thank you for linking up at our Ladies Night Celebration . We hope you come back this week and share your favorite cocktails, appetizers and treats!!!