Samoa Cheesecake takes the caramel and coconut out of the classic Girl Scout cookie and bakes them into a rich and creamy cheesecake dessert. Delicious!
2½cupschocolate sandwich cookie crumbsfrom 26 original OREO cookies, finely ground
6tablespoonsunsalted buttermelted and cooled
½teaspoonsalt
Cheesecake Layer
32ounces(4 8-ounce) blocks cream cheesesoftened to room temperature
1½cupsgranulated sugar
1tablespoonvanilla extract
4large eggsroom temperature
½cupsour cream
3tablespoonsheavy cream
4-6cupsboiling water for the water bath to bake the cheesecake
Samoa Cookie Topping
2¼cupsweetened shredded coconut
1cupsalted caramel sauceMrs. Richardson’s brand, plus more to use as garnish
Garnish
Chocolate dessert saucein a squeeze bottle, Ghirardelli brand
Caramel dessert saucein a squeeze bottle, Mrs. Richardson’s or Ghirardelli brand
Whipped topping
Samoa or Coconut Dream Cookies
Instructions
Chocolate Crust Layer
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9-inch springform pan with baker’s spray and line with a parchment paper round. Wrap the outside of the springform pan with two layers of heavy duty aluminum foil. This will help to keep any moisture from the water bath from seeping into the springform pan while baking the samoa cheesecake. Set aside.
To a medium bowl add the finely ground chocolate cookie crumbs, unsalted butter and salt. Stir to combine. The mixture should look like wet sand.
2½ cups chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon salt
Press the chocolate cookie crust mixture into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared springform pan to form a crust.
Bake the crust for 10 minutes, on the center rack of the oven, then remove from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature while preparing the cheesecake batter.
Turn the temperature to the oven down to 325°F.
Cheesecake Layer
To a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar on medium speed until smooth and no lumps of cream cheese remain.
To the cream cheese, add the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, and mix on low speed until all the eggs have been fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure that the batter is being evenly mixed with each addition.
1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 4 large eggs
Add the sour cream and heavy cream to the bowl and mix, on low speed for 1-2 minutes or until the cheesecake batter is thick and smooth.
½ cup sour cream, 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Pour the cheesecake batter into the springform pan and spread into an even layer.
Place the cheesecake into a large roasting pan, then onto the center rack of the oven. Very carefully pour enough boiling water (4-6 cups) to come up about 1 inch on the sides of the springform pan. Bake for 1 hour 40 - 45 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and the center is just barely set when the pan is lightly jiggled.
4-6 cups boiling water
Turn off the heat to the oven, crack the oven door open about 1 inch and allow the samoa cheesecake to finish cooking, and start to cool down slowly, for 1 hour.
Remove the cheesecake from the oven and the water bath, and remove the foil wrap from the outside of the springform pan. Carefully run a knife with a thin blade around the sides of the cheesecake. Place the cheesecake into the refrigerator to chill for at least 8 hours or up to overnight. An overnight chill will ensure your cheesecake is fully set up and chilled.
Once fully chilled, and set up, remove the cheesecake from the refrigerator and remove the side ring of the springform pan. Carefully place the cheesecake onto a serving plate while preparing the samoa cookie topping.
Samoa Cookie Topping
To a large dry skillet, over medium heat, add the sweetened shredded coconut. Cook and stir the shredded coconut for 4-6 minutes or until it starts to lightly toast and become fragrant. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
2¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut
Add the lightly toasted coconut to a large mixing bowl with the salted caramel sauce and stir until evenly combined. The mixture should be thick.
1 cup salted caramel sauce
Using a large spoon, or cookie scoop, add dollops of the samoa cookie topping evenly over the top of the chilled cheesecake and gently spread to an even layer. An offset spatula works great for gently spreading this thick caramel and coconut topping.
Garnish the top of the samoa cheesecake with a drizzle of additional caramel sauce and chocolate sauce to resemble the look of a samoa cookie.
Chocolate dessert sauce, Caramel dessert sauce, Whipped topping, Samoa or Coconut Dream Cookies
Notes
Storage:
To Store: You can store this cheesecake in the refrigerator, in a covered container, for up to 4 days.
To Freeze: You can freeze the baked and cooled cheesecake for up to 2 months tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. You do not want to add the Samoa cookie topping until you have thawed the cheesecake and are ready to serve.
Tips:
You can substitute crushed shortbread cookies, graham crackers, or vanilla wafer cookies for the chocolate sandwich cookies.
The cheesecake is done cooking when the top is lightly golden and the center is just barely set when the pan is lightly jiggled.
You can place the cheesecake back into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill once it is topped and garnished. This will make slicing the cheesecake a little easier and allow for cleaner cuts when slicing through the caramel and coconut layer.
If your caramel sauce is too thin, you can thicken it with 1-2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, stirred in until completely incorporated. This will help achieve the thick, chewy Samoa cookie topping.
Be sure to use full fat dairy products for the cheesecake layer as they will yield the best results for the baked cheesecake texture.
You can bake Samoa cheesecake bars in a square 9x9 baking dish instead of a round 9 inch springform pan.