It's your favorite coconut, caramel, and chocolate Girl Scout Cookie - in a cheesecake bar! This prize-winning recipe includes actual Girl Scout cookies (optional) for extra flavor and crunch.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13 baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.Crush the Oreos into fine crumbs using a blender cup, food processor, or a rolling pin.
Combine the crushed cookies and butter together in a medium bowl.
Press cookie mixture into the bottom of the lined pan and bake for 9-10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.
Cream Cheese Filling
With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, egg, sugar and vanilla together until smooth and creamy.
Spread cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until cheesecake is set.
Cool the baked cheesecake layer on a wire rack for 1 hour.
Caramel Layer
Place the caramel and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time. Do this until the caramel is smooth and completely melted.
Pour and spread the warm caramel evenly over the cheesecake layer.
Crunchy, Chunky Layer
Spread the coconut in an even layer over a large baking sheet and bake at 325°F (163°C) for 5-10 minutes. Stir every few minutes ensure even toasting and color. This method yields the best, crispy, aromatic coconut.(See alternate toasting methods in Notes)
Sprinkle the toasted coconut over the warm caramel. Distribute the chopped Samoas over the top of the coconut.
Refrigerate the bars for 2 hours.
Chocolate Drizzle
You can either (a) drizzle the bars with chocolate and then cut them, or (b) cut bars and then drizzle them with chocolate.
Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time. Do this until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes before serving, or until the chocolate is set.
Notes
The Samoa cookies in this recipe give the cheesecake bars a welcome crunch, much like pretzels bits in a cookie. In this recipe, the cookies can be left out entirely, or you can sub in a store brand. (Keebler, Clover Valley, Great Value, to name a few all have some variation.)
Alternative Methods for Toasting Coconut
Microwave: Place the coconut in a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 4-5 minutes, stirring every minute. This method toasts the coconut effectively, but it remains moist and chewy.Stovetop: Spread coconut in a large skillet and heat it over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until evenly browned. If you use this method, do not turn you back on the coconut: it can go from barely brown to black and burned in seconds.