Samoa Brownie Cookie Bars

Keep reading for the complete recipe! ^_^

INGREDIENTS

For the Shortbread Crust

12 Tablespoon unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), cold and cut into cubes
3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flower
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Brownies

2 sticks of butter 

2 1/4 cups of sugar 

4 large eggs 

1 tablespoon vanilla 

1 1/4 cups of cocoa powder 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 teaspoon baking powder 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups chocolate chips

For the Coconut Caramel Layer
3 cups toasted coconut
Caramel sauce - 1 can sweetened condensed milk

For the Chocolate Drizzle

1/2 cup chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

Shortbread Crust

1. Preheat oven to 350, cover 9x13 pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.

2. Combine all crust ingredients and mix with a mixer until coarse pea-sized lumps form. 

3. Press evenly over the bottom of pan and bake until lightly browned.

Homemade Brownies

1. Mix together the butter and sugar in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave, stirring about every 30 seconds, until the mixture is smooth, let cool slightly.

2. Add in the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. 

3. Mix together the cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and flour and add to the butter mixture, mixing until smooth, don't overbeat

4. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the pan ontop of shortbread crust & bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.

Coconut Caramel Layer

Make Caramel Sauce: 

1. Empty the contents of a can of sweetened condensed milk into a saucepan.

2. Stir constantly for 10 to 12 minutes over medium heat. (Do not let it scorch.) The milk will begin to deepen in color and thicken. 

3. Caramel is done when the caramel will thickly adhere to the back of your mixing spoon. 

4. Add shredded toasted coconut and mix evenly. 

5. When brownies are done, pour caramel mixture over brownies.

For Chocolate Drizzle 

1. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.

2. Drizzle over caramel sauce layer.

3. Let bars cool completely before cutting.

***Adapted from: Project Queen***