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powdered sugar

Samoa Dessert Lasagne

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Uh Oh. Maybe that’s what I should re-name this dessert… because it’s a bit dangerous.

Or maybe irresistible is a better word. If you love Samoa Girl Scout Cookies, or the combination of caramel, toasted coconut and chocolate, you’re going to love Samoa Dessert Lasagne! I’m not sure how the “lasagna” got in there, but this treat does have layer upon layer of flavor starting with the crispy cookie crust to the drizzle of caramel on top! That cook crust has an American classic cookie as a base, Nilla Wafers! The Nilla’s get ground up and combined with melted butter and toasted coconut to create the perfect firm base for this delicious treat.

A word about the coconut flakes. When you toast the flakes in a hot, dry skillet, keep stirring or the flakes can burn. You’ll want to toast them just to a golden brown, and that’s when the real flavor of coconut comes through!

There are plenty of store-bought caramel sauces on the market. I chose Smucker’s for this recipe, and of course, you can make your own homemade caramel sauce pretty easily with sugar (brown or white), butter and milk or cream.

Finally for the chocolate drizzle on top, melted chocolate chips or a chocolate coating gives this decadent dessert a final touch. Once you try this treat, you’ll know why it’s called Gimme Samoa!

Watch my How to Video for Gimme Samoa Dessert Lasagne here!

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

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I’ve had the recipe for the famous St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake in my “must bake” folder for several years now. I didn’t really know anything about it. I just knew if it had gooey and butter in the title, it was destined for my oven. Then I forgot about it, until one of my cooking pals, Janne Mahan, moved to St. Louis, Missouri. There, she established a book club, and then the pandemic put a halt to group gatherings. Her book club then began to via Zoom video conferencing. Since the members of Janne’s book club were also foodies, I thought it might be fun to have her poll the group and let me know what their very favorite St. Louis foods are. As it turns out, top of the list was the St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake. It was the perfect excuse to pull out my folder, dig for the recipe and get to work. Holy Cow. No wonder it’s a favorite! This cake is one sweet St. Louis treat! It’s dense and rich and acts a bit like a brownie with a dusting of powdered sugar baked into the top. It has two distinct layers; the bottom one is the pound cake and the top is a blend of cream cheese, powdered sugar and eggs which provides the gooeyness. It’s perfect as a coffee or snack cake and is a great make-ahead treat to transport to a picnic or party. Not only is St. Louis the home of the world’s tallest arch known as the Gateway to the West, but also the city rich with ooey gooey goodness!

Watch my How To Video for St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake here!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

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All I can say is I love these Reese’s to pieces! These chewy, chunky treats really raise the bar on goodness! Reese’s Peanut Butter Oatmeal bars are the best combination of peanut butter and chocolate that I’ve tasted in a long time! It starts with delicious peanut butter oatmeal cookie dough that gets spread on a baking sheet. Then the minute you pull it out of the oven, a layer of chocolate chips gets sprinkled over top which start to melt. Then you’ll spoon a delicious smooth and creamy peanut butter topping over the melting chocolate and swirl the two to create a gorgeous marbleized coating. The final touch is to dot the topping with chopped up chunks of mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Wow! When you bite into the chewy bar, you get the peanut butter, the oats, the chocolate and the Reese’s all in one scrumptious bite. These cookie bars are great for making ahead and they hold up well for a school lunchbox. If you’re thinking about a dessert platter or cookie exchange this holiday season, I would not hesitate to add these to your line-up! If you make Reese’s Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars ahead, you can seal them well and store them in the freezer. I think you’ll love these Reese’s to pieces, too!

Watch my How To Video for Reese’s Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars here!