Samoa Cookie Cake

Samoa Cookie Cake

No, you didn’t read that wrong. I realize it’s not that time of year. You know, the magical days when little girls (or more likely, their parents) start collecting cookie orders for Girl Scouts. Nope, if it were that time of year, the weather would be getting warmer instead of colder and I’d be a lot happier.

So what do you do when your buddy has a birthday in September and her favorite cookies are Samoas? And there are no Samoas to be had?

Well, make one, of course. A giant one. In a cookie cake!

Samoa Cookie Cake

This cookie cake is the product of two weeks of thinking and a subsequent two seconds of sheer inspiration.

See, my friend loves coconut. German chocolate cakes are her favorite, but I’ve done that before. So what could I do to make her birthday super special? I hunted everywhere, scouring cookbooks, browsing endlessly on Pinterest. I looked at Samoa bars, Samoa cakes, everything. And nothing struck me as the one.

Samoa Cookie Cake

Then I remembered how much I love cookie cakes! And a vision took place in my head. The cookie base is made with a lot of brown sugar, as well as caramel bits, to get that caramel flavor into the mix. There are also chocolate chips, both baked into the cookie and melted on top. And finally, a ring of coconut, drizzled with caramel and striped with hot fudge to resemble a Samoa.

Samoa Cookie Cake

I had to toast some coconut, which works well on parchment paper in a 350 degree oven. Just be sure to watch it, because it’s sweetened and therefore burns very fast!

Samoa Cookie Cake

It worked. It was delicious. And I don’t have a slice to show you because I gave the whole cake away. So instead, I did a step-by-step for you. The cookie before being spread with melted chocolate:

Samoa Cookie Cake

And after:

Samoa Cookie Cake

And coconut going on top. Can we get an “oooh” or an “aaaah?”

Samoa Cookie Cake

Finally, the caramel drizzle and fudge stripes!

Samoa Cookie Cake

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Everyone should get their favorite on their birthday. Loved ones of mine, are you listening?! So here’s to my friend, the coconut lover. Hope your day was amazing!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 and 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
  • 1/2 cup caramel bits (Kraft brand)
  • 1 and 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, toasted (see post above)
  • caramel sauce (jarred or homemade)
  • hot fudge sauce

 

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Cut parchment paper to fit the bottom for easy release and then spray the sides again with pan release spray or cooking spray.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the flour, salt, and baking soda, beating until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated. Finally, fold in 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips and the caramel bits.

Bake for 30-35 minutes until the center is no longer jiggling. Watch it carefully to avoid overbaking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

When the cake is cool, toast the sweetened coconut for 5-10 minutes in the oven at 350. Watch it carefully!

Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute. Remove and stir until smooth, and spread evenly over the cake’s surface. Gently press the toasted coconut in a ring pattern around the cake, working your way inward as you go. Leave a circle in the middle with no coconut to mimic the Samoa.

Gently drizzle caramel over the coconut. Fit a piping bag with a medium-sized round tip and pipe the fudge stripes evenly over the top of the surface. Allow the fudge and chocolate layer to set for at least an hour before serving.

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 26 Comments

  1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    You’re such a good friend, Mir! This cake looks so gorgeous! Definitely looks like a giant samoa cookie, and sounds just as delicious! I love the caramel drizzled on top, too. Delish!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Peanut Butter Apple Pie Overnight OatsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Gayle! I only pull out the stops for my best buddies. This one is special!

  2. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    Samoa is always welcome in my house any time of year. Love how you decorated this!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Sugar CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Dorothy! We can’t always wait for Girl Scout season. We gotta do it for ourselves!

  3. Heather @ Shards of Lavender

    Mir, this has got to be the cutest cake ever! I love how it looks like a giant Samoa cookie:) You’re such a good friend to take so much time deciding what to make. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us!
    Heather @ Shards of Lavender recently posted…Coconut Almond Chia Energy BitesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Aw, thanks, Heather! I enjoy thinking of cake ideas. It sure beats thinking about more serious stuff!

  4. Annie @Maebells

    Oh yum!!! Samoas are my most favorite cookie ever! I love this cake version!
    Annie @Maebells recently posted…Loaded Baked Potato PizzaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Annie! Why should we only get GS cookies in the Spring?

  5. Erin | The Law Student's Wife

    This is AMAZING! You are basically the best friend ever.
    Erin | The Law Student’s Wife recently posted…Roasted Cauliflower BruschettaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Awwww. You’re such a sweetheart, Erin!

  6. Christine

    You know what I love most about your recipes, Mir? They’re so easy to follow – and coming from a baking spaz like me, that’s saying something. I’ve made several of your recipes already, and I plan to do the same with this one.

    1. Mir

      Aw, thanks, Chris! You know I have no time to fool with complicated recipes!

  7. Danielle

    Your such a nice friend, I would love if one of mine made this for me! Samoas are one of the best kinds of girl scout cookies! This cake wouldn’t stand a chance around me. It looks beautiful too, Mir. Pinning this!
    Danielle recently posted…Writing Process Blog TourMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Danielle! I really enjoyed creating this!

  8. Mary Frances

    Oh my GOSH Mir! I cannot unsee this and it’s gonna drive me crazy. I love how you made a samoas on top, the coconut and chocolate and caramel are spot on. Pinning this too!
    Mary Frances recently posted…Healthy Almond Joy PancakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Ha! It was crazy good. You need to try it!

  9. Jocelyn@Brucrewlife

    I’m totally drooling over this cookie cake, Mir! Coconutty goodness is welcome in my house any time of the year! 😉
    Jocelyn@Brucrewlife recently posted…Pumpkin Oreo Truffle DipMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Agreed, Jocelyn! Especially if chocolate and caramel are involved somehow…

  10. marcie

    This has to be one of the best ideas for a cake that I’ve ever seen! I love samoa’s but this cake looks so much better! Pinning.
    marcie recently posted…Homemade Pumpkin Spice LatteMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks for the pin, Marcie! I do like this a little more than the actual Samoas. Not quite so processed!

  11. Laura

    I love this! I’ve never had a Samoa cookie before but what better way to test them to have a giant one the first time round?! Very clever idea =)
    Laura recently posted…Biscuit Barrel September 14 Round UpMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Laura! Giant cookies are much more fun than the tiny ones in the box!

  12. Michelle @TheGraciousWife.com

    OMG! Samoas are my favorite! Thank you so much for sharing! Pinning!
    -Michelle @TheGraciousWife.com
    Michelle @TheGraciousWife.com recently posted…Strawberry Cheesecake CupcakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks so much, Michelle! Samoas are awesome. They should be sold all year long!

  13. Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

    I’ve never had a Samoa before so I don’t know what they taste like but this looks super yummy. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
    Laura@Baking in Pyjamas recently posted…Rustic Apple Pie Spice LoafMy Profile

    1. Mir

      You’re missing out, Laura! Have a friend in the States send you some. Totally delicious!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge