Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Samoa Brownies are a decadent twist on the beloved Girl Scout cookie, featuring a fudgy brownie base topped with gooey caramel, toasted coconut, and a drizzle of chocolate. These indulgent bars offer layers of flavor and texture—chewy, crunchy, and rich—making them a standout dessert for parties, holidays, or anytime you crave something extra special.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
unsalted buttergranulated sugarsaltlarge eggsvanilla extractunsweetened cocoa powderall-purpose flourdark or semisweet chocolate chipscaramel sauce or soft caramelsheavy creamshredded sweetened coconutmelted chocolate for drizzling
directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, cocoa powder, and salt until combined.
Add eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth.
Stir in flour and mix until just incorporated, then fold in chocolate chips.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs.
While brownies bake, toast the shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden, stirring often. Set aside.
Melt caramels with heavy cream in a saucepan or microwave until smooth, then stir in the toasted coconut.
Once brownies are slightly cooled, spread the caramel-coconut mixture evenly over the top.
Drizzle melted chocolate over the topping.
Let set completely before cutting into squares.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields 12–16 brownies.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 25–30 minutes
Cooling and topping time: 30–40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15–20 minutes
Variations
Use boxed brownie mix for a quicker version.
Add chopped pecans or almonds to the topping for extra crunch.
Swap dark chocolate for milk chocolate if preferred.
Top with a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet-salty finish.
storage/reheating
Store Samoa Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To freeze, wrap individually and store for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.
Enjoy at room temperature or slightly warmed in the microwave.
FAQs
What are Samoa Brownies?
They’re brownies inspired by Samoa cookies—layered with caramel, toasted coconut, and chocolate drizzle.
Can I use jarred caramel sauce?
Yes, but thicker, richer caramel works best to hold the topping together.
Do I need to toast the coconut?
Yes, it enhances the flavor and texture significantly.
Can I use unsweetened coconut?
Sweetened shredded coconut is traditional, but unsweetened works if you prefer less sweetness.
How do I keep the caramel topping from getting too hard?
Adding heavy cream helps keep it soft and spreadable.
Can I make them ahead?
Yes, they store well and can be made a day or two in advance.
Are these brownies very sweet?
Yes, they are rich and sweet—perfect for dessert lovers.
Can I add more chocolate on top?
Absolutely—double the drizzle or even add chocolate chips to the topping.
Do I have to make brownies from scratch?
No, a boxed mix is fine and saves time.
What’s the best way to cut them neatly?
Chill before cutting and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.
Conclusion
Samoa Brownies are a luscious, multi-layered dessert that captures the essence of the iconic cookie in brownie form. With fudgy chocolate, golden caramel, and crunchy coconut, every bite is a treat. Whether for bake sales or indulgent nights at home, these brownies are sure to steal the show.
PrintSamoa Brownies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 brownies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Samoa Brownies are a decadent dessert inspired by the famous Girl Scout cookie. These rich chocolate brownies are topped with a gooey caramel-coconut layer and finished with a drizzle of melted chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on box)
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 (11 oz) bag soft caramels, unwrapped
- 3 tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for drizzle)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare brownies according to package directions. Bake in a 9×13-inch pan and let cool completely.
- Spread shredded coconut on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden. Set aside.
- In a saucepan over low heat, melt the caramels with milk or cream, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Mix the toasted coconut into the caramel mixture until well combined.
- Spread the caramel-coconut mixture evenly over the cooled brownies.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the caramel-coconut layer.
- Let brownies set at room temperature or chill briefly before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Use parchment paper in the pan for easy removal and clean cutting.
- Substitute homemade brownies if preferred over boxed mix.
- Chill slightly before slicing for cleaner edges.