Samoa Brownies

I love cookies. And wouldn't you know it, I love brownies, too! I've found that layered brownies are a fun and easy way to make something creative. I've made S'mores Brownies many times since their first bake session several years ago. 

Samoa Cookies were a fun one to make a few years back, and in trying to think of a fun confectionary item recently, the idea of merging the powers of brownies and samoa cookies came to mind. The popular Girl Scout cookies that are topped with caramel and toasted coconut make a delectable treat, one perfect for sandwiching with brownie batter.

Step one was definitely the base. It started out with vanilla wafers. For the s'mores brownies, I typically use graham crackers, but as the cookie for samoas are a shortbread, vanilla wafers seemed like the easiest way to simply accomplish this. Just like with a crumbed pie crust, I smashed some cookies and mixed them with melted butter to form the bottom layer.

Next up was the brownie batter, which I spread over the crust. That was that for the pre-bake portion; I tossed the brownies in the oven and let them bake away.

Sticking with simplicity, I bought some caramels to melt. Though making caramel is pretty easy on the stovetop, using pre-made ones saves some time. So I unwrapped some caramels

I poured the melted caramels over the top of the finished brownies, and topped it with some coconut that I toasted in the oven (You just let it toast for 5 minutes or so). And done!

Chewy. Heavenly. Delightful. And pretty.

These little cookie alternatives were frankly much simpler than the actual cookies.

But how did they hold up? Let's talk about structure. The biggest difference between these brownies and they actual cookies is that the main component here is chocolate vs shortbread in cookie form. Flavor-wise, I can't complain a bit about that fact, as chocolate makes the world go 'round. I think these little guys are the perfect way to get the fancy baked good feel from a batch of brownies with minimal work. Definitely a 5 star, would make again kind of thing. If you make 'em, tell me how it goes, tell me what you did different....I need all the details.

Samosa Brownies Recipe

Ingredients:

15-20 vanilla wafers, crushed

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons melted butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

25 caramels (about 1/2 cup melted caramel)

1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan with shortening or spray with non-stick baking spray. Crush vanilla wafers in a plastic bag or use a food processor. In the bottom of the brownie pan, gently mix crushed cookies and melted butter together and press into pan. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, sugars, and vanilla. Mix in eggs. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl; gradually stir into the egg and sugar mixture until well blended. Spread the batter evenly into the baking pan on top of the cookie crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven once center is cooked and edges are pulling away from pan. Melt caramels in the microwave for about 25 seconds. Once brownies are slightly cooled, pour caramel over the top, then sprinkle with toasted coconut.

adapted from frosted brownies