Toasted Coconut Caramel Brownies

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Girl Scout cookie season may come and go, but the craving for that iconic coconut, caramel, and chocolate combo never really leaves. If Samoa cookies are your weakness, these Samoa brownies are about to become your new favorite way to get that fix — rich, gooey, and piled high with all the flavors that make the classic cookie so irresistible.

We’ve swapped the thin shortbread cookie for a fudgy brownie. These Toasted Coconut Caramel brownies start with a soft chocolate brownie that is just dense enough to hold up all the gooey goodness on top. Next comes the signature Samoa-inspired topping – a gooey toasted caramel coconut layer made from toasted shredded coconut and melted mini caramels, and drizzled with a little extra chocolate. 

Each bite is chocolatey with that unmistable carmel0coconut flavor. They are a decadent dessert bar perfect for parties, a weekend baking session, or when you’re craving something that feels nostalgic.

Why You’ll Love These Caramel Coconut Brownies

• They have that iconic coconut caramel chocolate combo. The Girl Scouts knew what they were doing with this flavor combo. It’s nutty, fudgy, sweet, and full of texture, all packed into a yummy brownie square.
• A thick fudgy brownie base. There is nothing better than a dense chocolate brownie square. Not only are they irresistibly good on their own, but they also provide a perfect base for the thick layer of caramel coconut topping.
• Perfect to impress at a party. If you are hosting a party or in charge of desserts, these Samoa brownies will definitely impress!

How to Make Caramel Coconut Brownies, Step By Step

Step 1. Preheat the oven and prep your baking pan.

Before you do anything else, preheat the oven and prep your baking dish.

Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish, making sure to get all the edges and corners. Line the dish with parchment paper to create a sling. This will make it super easy to remove the treats from the pan. 

Step 2. Make fudgey brownie batter.

We used our popular fudgy brownie recipe for the base of these Samoa brownies. They are our tried-and-true brownies that are perfect for any occasion. They are also thick, making them the perfect base to support the coconut caramel topping.

Homemade brownies are extremely easy to make. It takes just a couple of steps to make deliciously fudgy batter. 

1. Mix together the flour mixture – baking soda, cocoa powder, salt, and flour. 
2. Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan. 
3. Mix in sugar, eggs, and vanilla before folding in the cocoa flour mixture. 

Once your batter comes together, pour it into your greased and parchment-lined baking dish.

Step 3. Bake brownies and let them cool for about 20 minutes.

Bake the brownies for 45-50 minutes until baked through. Remove them from the oven and place the dish on a cooling rack to cool for about 20 minutes. 

If the brownies are too hot, the coconut caramel topping will melt. 

Step 4. Toast coconut flakes.

We wanted the flavor to match a Samoa Girl Scout Cookie as closely as possible. And because these cookies are known for their rich toasted coconut flavor, it was essential to toast the coconut for the topping.

When the brownies are out of the oven, toast the coconut on a baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes until the shreds start to turn golden brown. Pour the coconut into a bowl to cool while you melt the caramel.

Step 5.  Melt caramels with heavy cream and mix in coconut flakes. 

Next, remove the soft caramels from their wrapping. You want to melt 15 oz of caramels. So, if you find a 10-oz bag, unwrap the caramels from one and a half bags. 

Add the caramels and heavy cream to a saucepan and melt over medium-low heat. It could take some time for the caramels to melt, so just give them some time. Once they start to melt, they will melt quickly. 

Tip: Continuously stir to make sure the caramels don’t burn.

Once the caramel is melted, pour it over the coconut and quickly stir to coat. The caramel will start to harden quickly, so you will want to work fast here. 

Step 6. Top brownies with caramel coconut topping and drizzle with melted chocolate.

Pour the coconut caramel topping on top of the brownies and carefully spread it over the top of the brownies in an even layer. 

Melt some chocolate and drizzle it over the top of the caramel mixture for that iconic Samoa cookie look. 

Step 7. Set for 10 minutes, slice and enjoy!

Let the brownies set for at least 10 minutes before slicing. You can even place them in the fridge for several minutes to harden the coconut mixture before slicing into bars.

Tips for making perfect brownies every time

No one likes a dry, crumbly brownie!! If you your brownies are not turning out perfect every time, we recommend you follow these tips to guarantee your brownies are fudgy. Follow these tips for making perfectly chewy brownies!! 

• Use real chocolate and cocoa powder! Using dark chocolate chips and cocoa powder makes a super-rich chocolate flavor to the brownies and also creates that delicious fudgy texture.
• Do not overmix the batter. Over-mixing the batter can create a tough brownie. For a soft brownie, make sure you stir just until the ingredients are combined.
• Avoid tough brownie edges!! Nobody likes a corner brownie because they are typically the toughest edges to chew. But we have a trick for you to make sure the edges do not get too tough. The key step: Let the brownies cool for about 10-15 minutes before removing them from the pan to cool completely.

Easily remove brownies from the pan with this trick!

No one likes to leave brownie bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Try this fool-proof method to remove brownies from the pan every single time! 

1. Butter the brownie pan, making sure to cover the bottoms, corners, and sides. 
2. Place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan making sure it is long enough to hang above the batter 1-2 inches. This parchment paper will act like a sling for your brownies.
3. After the brownies are baked and cooled. It is important that they are cooled for at least 10-15 minutes before you lift them from the pan. Carefully lift up on both sides of the parchment paper and lift up out of the pan. Place them on a cutting board to slice and serve.

Best way to store leftover brownies…

Store in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 3-4 days. After about 4 days, they will start to dry out and won’t taste as good. 

Pro tip for storing brownies: If you are baking these in advance, don’t cut the brownies until you are ready to serve. When you cut the brownies, they have more air exposure and can dry out quicker. 

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