Love Samoas? How about Coconut Caramel Cream Pie!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

Last weekend, one of the radio stations was playing only music from the 70’s.  I’d like to say that the 70’s were an era that I have only read about, but I have to admit that I’m a bit older than that. You see, I was actually there. Yes, I’m totally old. That was before computers, cell phones, calculators, CD’s, GPS systems, and ATMs. It was before drive thru windows, direct deposit, and microwave ovens.

Yes, I come from an era of folks that have seen all these new things come into play. I watched the rise of computers and fought it all the way. Why would I need something like that? A cell phone? Absolutely silly, when I could just find a pay phone and pay a dime. A microwave? Ridiculous!

But there are some things that existed then that still do now.  The inevitable arrival of Girl Scout cookie season!  So what does progress and Girl Scout cookies have to do with Coconut Caramel Cream Pie?  I’m so glad you asked!

You see, sometimes, I long for the simpler days when things didn’t seem as rushed and complicated. Granted, that was most likely because I was a child and didn’t have the responsibilities that I do now. But, when I hear a song from an earlier time, I am often drawn back into the memories of that time.   Kind of like a scent can bring back a memory for some folks, music does that for me.

With the radio station playing on my iPod, I was lost in memories as I hit Walmart to pick up a few things.  And it was there that I ran across this display of NESTLÉ® CRUNCH® Girl Scouts® bars right at the entranceway.  Girl Scout cookie flavored candy bars!  Will progress never end?

 There they were just staring at me.  Thin Mints®, Caramel & Coconut and Peanut Butter Crème!  And only available at Walmart until the end of summer!  What to do?  Well, make pie of course!

A hot summer day, with a bunch of 70’s songs in my head and you know my mind had to go to pie.  But that is just how I roll sometimes.  Maybe more literally than figuratively…

I turned the radio on for a bit of 70’s inspiration.  We are going to bring back a little nostalgia here.  The sweet taste of Girl Scout cookies Samoas and a fresh coconut cream pie!

5 Minute Coconut Caramel Cream Pie

4 bars  NESTLÉ® CRUNCH® Girl Scouts® bars Caramel & Coconut
2 boxes of Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 cups Milk
1 cup Coconut
1 cup Whipped Cream
1 Shortbread Pie Crust
Caramel Topping

So simple!  Add the two boxes of pudding to a large bowl and whisk in the milk.

Add in the whipped cream and whisk away…

Happy childhood memories came back with the music in the background, “Maggie May” by Rod Stewart, “Brandy” by Looking Glass, “Crocodile Rock” and “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John.

Fold in the coconut…

Ah the Disco era! “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb, “Hotel California” by the Eagles; “My Sharona” by The Knack, “YMCA” by The Village People, “Hot Stuff” Donna Summer; “I’m Your Boogie Man” by KC and the Sunshine Band. Yep, I was a total disco geek.

I actually still own a book on how to disco dance. My children are appalled. I spent many a night line-dancing away with my friends under the flashing disco balls in our gold lame stretch jumpsuits and platform shoes.  Ha!

 Pour your mixture into the pie shell and spread it out…

 Now to add the unique flavor of Samoas!  Take four NESTLÉ® CRUNCH® Girl Scouts® bars Caramel & Coconut and chop them into small pieces.

 Cover the top of the pie with the candy bar crumbs.  Then put the pie in the refrigerator for about 2 hours to set.

Oh! There is the song “We are the Champions” by Queen!  Played at each and every football game, every single pep rally and a popular request for play on the local radio stations when rival teams were in town. This song brings back memories of my very first boyfriend and going to football games.

We are the champions – my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting – till the end –
We are the champions –
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions – of the world –

The final touch is to drizzle a bit of caramel over the pie just before serving.  Totally Samoa flavor, but with a bit of modern progress. Thanks so much to Nestle’s #Cookies2Crunch  and #CollectiveBias for bringing these tasty memories back to life!

You know it occurred to me that twenty years from now, certain music would bring back memories from this time. What theme songs would be appropriate for this era? What do I want to remember these times with? Certainly not “My Life would Suck without you” by Kelly Clarkson or “Sober” by Pink. Nice tunes, but kind of negative connotations.

I want something happy. Maybe “Happy” by Pharrell Williams or “Just Dance” by Lady GaGa. But knowing my luck, when I have that moment of epiphany twenty years from now as I fly through traffic in my aerocar, it will be something like “Circus” by Britney Spears.

Seriously.

What songs bring back great memories for you?