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!
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.
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.
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!
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:
And after:
And coconut going on top. Can we get an “oooh” or an “aaaah?”
Finally, the caramel drizzle and fudge stripes!
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.
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 Oats
Thanks, Gayle! I only pull out the stops for my best buddies. This one is special!
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 Cookies
Thanks, Dorothy! We can’t always wait for Girl Scout season. We gotta do it for ourselves!
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 Bites
Aw, thanks, Heather! I enjoy thinking of cake ideas. It sure beats thinking about more serious stuff!
Oh yum!!! Samoas are my most favorite cookie ever! I love this cake version!
Annie @Maebells recently posted…Loaded Baked Potato Pizza
Thanks, Annie! Why should we only get GS cookies in the Spring?
This is AMAZING! You are basically the best friend ever.
Erin | The Law Student’s Wife recently posted…Roasted Cauliflower Bruschetta
Awwww. You’re such a sweetheart, Erin!
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.
Aw, thanks, Chris! You know I have no time to fool with complicated recipes!
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 Tour
Thanks, Danielle! I really enjoyed creating this!
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 Pancakes
Ha! It was crazy good. You need to try it!
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 Dip
Agreed, Jocelyn! Especially if chocolate and caramel are involved somehow…
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 Latte
Thanks for the pin, Marcie! I do like this a little more than the actual Samoas. Not quite so processed!
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 Up
Thanks, Laura! Giant cookies are much more fun than the tiny ones in the box!
OMG! Samoas are my favorite! Thank you so much for sharing! Pinning!
-Michelle @TheGraciousWife.com
Michelle @TheGraciousWife.com recently posted…Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
Thanks so much, Michelle! Samoas are awesome. They should be sold all year long!
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 Loaf
You’re missing out, Laura! Have a friend in the States send you some. Totally delicious!