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Samoa Dessert Lasagna is what happens when your favorite Girl Scout cookie decides to level up. Layers of buttery shortbread, rich coconut caramel, creamy chocolate cheesecake, and fluffy whipped cream come together for a dessert that’s anything but subtle.
Topped with toasted coconut, caramel, and chocolate, it’s over-the-top indulgence. Because sometimes, more is just better.
This dessert is part cheesecake bars, part shortbread caramel bars, and 100% delicious.
I’ll admit, I struggled to name it. Nothing quite captured the layers of buttery shortbread, caramel, chocolate cheesecake, and whipped cream. In the end, “Samoa Dessert Lasagna” felt like the perfect fit.
But chocolate caramel cheesecake bars also works, so call it what you please.
Here is Why This Dessert Lasagna Recipe Works
Layers on layers: From buttery shortbread to gooey coconut caramel and creamy chocolate cheesecake, every bite is like a flavor jackpot.
Samoa vibes, leveled up: It’s all the best parts of your favorite cookie but bigger, better, and way more satisfying.
Make-ahead friendly: Chill it, slice it, serve it. While it takes some time to prepare, the payoff is a showstopping dessert you can serve straight from the fridge.
Toppings galore: Toasted coconut, caramel, and chocolate syrup. Because more toppings = more happiness.
The Ingredients
- Pantry: All-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, sweetened condensed milk, toasted coconut flakes, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup.
- Dairy: Butter, heavy cream, cream cheese.
- Spices and Seasonings: Salt, vanilla extract.
Variations
Salted Caramel Pretzel Samoa Lasagna: Replace the toasted coconut with crushed pretzels and sprinkle flaked sea salt over the caramel sauce.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Samoa Lasagna: Add ½ cup of creamy peanut butter to the chocolate cheesecake layer and sprinkle crushed peanut butter cups on top.
Tips for Success
- To toast the coconut, spread the coconut flakes in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast them at 350°F, stirring occasionally,
- Line the pan with parchment paper and leave an overhang for easy removal when it’s time to slice and serve.
- Let each layer cool or set fully before adding the next to keep them distinct and neat.
- For the caramel, a candy thermometer ensures you hit the sweet spot…..set enough to hold its shape but not so firm that slicing becomes a struggle
- Make sure the heavy cream is well-chilled before whipping it, and use a chilled bowl to help it hold its peaks better.
- To slice the bars, run a sharp knife under hot water, wipe it dry, and use it to make clean cuts through the layers.
- Reserve some caramel for topping: Thin it with cream if needed and drizzle it over the whipped cream.
If you like this recipe, try our oatmeal shortbread or our billionaire bars.
Storage
Refrigerator: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months.
Samoa Cheesecake Bars
Samoa Cheesecake Dessert Lasagna is basically your favorite cookie’s overachieving sibling. Layers of buttery shortbread, caramel, chocolate cheesecake, and whipped cream? It’s indulgence on a whole new level.
More Chilled Desserts
- Raspberry Coconut Yogurt Cake
- Ferrero Rocher Profiteroles
- Semifreddo Trio
- Lemon Ice Box Cake
- 31 Cool Summer Dessert Ideas
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Chocolate Samoa Dessert Lasagna
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Ingredients
For the Shortbread Layer:
- 1 cup butter, slightly softened, (2 sticks; 226 grams)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, 70 grams
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 67 grams
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all purpose flour, 240 grams
For the Coconut Caramel Layer:
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 oz; 397 grams
- 1-½ cups brown sugar, 300 grams
- 1-¼ cups heavy cream
- 12 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups toasted coconut flakes, reserve ½ cup for topping
For the No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Layer:
- 1-¾ cups heavy cream, 398 grams
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (2 blocks)
- ¾ cup powdered sugar, 85 grams
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, melted
For the Sweetened Whipped Cream Layer:
- 1-¼ cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar, adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Toppings:
- Reserved toasted coconut flakes, about ½ cup
- Reserved caramel, thinned with a bit of heavy cream if needed
- Chocolate syrup, store-bought is fine
Instructions
Make the Shortbread Layer
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Combine the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt in a mixing bowl. Beat until well combined.
- Add the flour and beat until just combined.
- Tap the dough into the 13 x 9 inch pan and break the clumps up so it is evenly distributed. Then use your hands to press it down into an even layer. Place the crust in the freezer for about 30 minutes or until firm.
- Bake the chilled crust for 17 to 22 minutes or until golden brown.
Prepare the Coconut Caramel Layer
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium low, combine condensed milk, brown sugar, cream, butter, and salt. Heat until the butter is completely melted.
- Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a gentle boil. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture reaches 225°F to 229°F on a candy thermometer, about 20 minutes. For a firmer set caramel layer, cook the mixture to 232°F but it will be more difficult to slice.
- Remove from heat, add vanilla, then stir in 1-½ cups of toasted coconut flakes, reserving ½ cup for topping.
- Spread the coconut caramel mixture evenly over the cooled shortbread crust. Allow to cool completely. Reserve a few tablespoons of the caramel for drizzling over the top.
Make the No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Layer
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 10 to 15 second intervals, stirring between zaps. Set aside to cool down a bit.
- Add 1-¾ cups of heavy cream to a mixing bowl. Beat to stiff peaks then set the bowl aside.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Beat in the melted chocolate until fully incorporated.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate cream cheese mixture until smooth and light.
- Spread the cheesecake layer evenly over the cooled coconut caramel layer.
Prepare the Sweetened Whipped Cream Layer
- In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Spread the sweetened whipped cream over the chocolate cheesecake layer.
Add the Toppings
- Sprinkle the reserved toasted coconut flakes over the whipped cream layer.
- Thin the reserved caramel with a bit of heavy cream if it has thickened too much. Drizzle the caramel over the top, followed by a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Chill and Serve
- Refrigerate the dessert lasagna for at least 2 hours, or until fully set.
- Using the parchment overhang, carefully lift the dessert out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board.
- Slice with a sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts for neat slices.
Notes
- To melt the chocolate, give it a rough chop and place it in a microwavable dish then zap it in the microwave for about a minute or two but stop every 30 seconds to give it a stir.
- To toast the coconut, spread it out on a baking sheet and place in a pre-heated oven at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes until golden (stir the coconut around about half way through)
- Use parchment paper to line the pan, leaving an overhang so you can lift it out later..
- Allow each layer to cool or set completely before adding the next.
- A candy thermometer is key for the caramel, cook it just enough to hold its shape but not so firm that cutting becomes tricky.
- Whip heavy cream straight from the fridge, and chill your mixing bowl to get stiff, stable peaks.
- For neat slices, warm a sharp knife under hot water, dry it off, and cut through the layers cleanly.
- Save some caramel for the final touch: Thin it with cream if needed, then drizzle over the whipped cream layer
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
This was such a unique recipe and my children love the lasagna idea. Thanks for sharing and now my family is addicted to this simple but awesome dish.
thanks Scott, I hope your family love it
I don’t know whether to be happy or horrified that I found this recipe! I am working on a box of samoas right now, and the idea that I could have them in lasagna form at will has already had me gain 5 pounds! Ha! I will definitely check this out!
I know Liz, I am sorry about that but the devil made me do it 🙂
this looks like a winner for you. good luck. when the cookies are available here I’ll be trying it!
Thank you so much, it sure would be exciting to win. Check out this cookie finder to see where and when you can get cookies in your area.
This looks so decadent and tasty!
Thanks so much, we had a blast making this!
I love Samoa GS Cookies and this – why I could have this anytime! I’s going to get my daughter to make it for me – because, that’s why I had her in the first place. 🙂 Thank you for submitting to YG and we hope you will continue to submit and we will continue, as the new owners, to share, tweet, and pin featuring your recipes!
Thanks for the comment and for stopping by. I hope you and your daughter enjoy this 🙂