S’mores Cookie Bars

Introduction:

S’mores Cookie Bars are a delicious, layered dessert that brings the classic campfire treat indoors, combining graham crackers, gooey marshmallows, and melty chocolate with a soft cookie base. These bars offer a nostalgic taste of summer in a convenient and easy-to-make bar form, perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a sweet snack.

The History of S’mores Cookie Bars:

S’mores, a traditional American campfire treat, originated in the early 20th century, with the first official recipe published in a Girl Scouts handbook in 1927. S’mores Cookie Bars are a modern twist on this beloved treat, developed to bring the iconic flavors of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows into a convenient, year-round dessert. The bar format makes it easier to enjoy the gooey, melty experience of s’mores without the need for a campfire, popularizing the treat for indoor baking.

Ingredients Breakdown:

• Cookie Base:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Graham Cracker Layer:
  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• Chocolate Layer:
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Marshmallow Layer:
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows

Step-by-Step Recipe:

1. Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
   • In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter until well combined.
   • Press the graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Set aside.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
   • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
3. Assemble the S’mores Bars:
   • Spread half of the cookie dough over the graham cracker crust, pressing gently to create an even layer.
   • Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the cookie dough layer.
   • Scatter the mini marshmallows evenly over the chocolate chips.
   • Crumble the remaining cookie dough over the top, allowing some marshmallows and chocolate chips to peek through.
4. Bake and Cool:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the marshmallows are lightly toasted.
   • Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Tips for the Perfect S’mores Cookie Bars:

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the butter and eggs are at room temperature for even mixing and a smooth dough.
• Don’t Overbake: For gooey, soft bars, bake just until the edges are set and the top is golden; the center will firm up as it cools.
• Parchment Paper for Easy Removal: Lining the baking dish with parchment paper makes it easy to lift the bars out for cutting and serving.

Variations and Customizations:

• Add Peanut Butter: Swirl peanut butter into the cookie dough for a nutty flavor twist.
• Make It Extra Chocolaty: Use a combination of milk and dark chocolate chips or add a layer of Nutella.
• Use Flavored Marshmallows: Try different flavored marshmallows like caramel or chocolate for a unique twist.
• Add Nuts: Mix in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added crunch.

Health Considerations and Nutritional Value:

• High in Sugar and Fat: These bars are rich in sugar, butter, and chocolate, making them a high-calorie treat best enjoyed in moderation.
• Caloric Content: Each bar can be quite calorie-dense due to the combination of cookie dough, chocolate, and marshmallows.
• Allergy Considerations: Contains gluten, dairy, and eggs; can be modified with substitutes for those with dietary restrictions.

FAQ:

1. Can I make S’mores Cookie Bars ahead of time?
   • Yes, these bars can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
2. How do I store leftovers?
   • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
3. Can I freeze S’mores Cookie Bars?
   • Yes, you can freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
4. Why did my marshmallows melt completely?
   • Overbaking can cause the marshmallows to melt entirely. Bake just until the edges are set and the marshmallows are lightly toasted.
5. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
   • Yes, use gluten-free graham crackers and a gluten-free flour blend for the cookie dough to make these bars gluten-free.

S’mores Cookie Bars

S'mores Cookie Bars combine the classic flavors of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows with a chewy cookie base, creating a delicious indoor treat reminiscent of campfire s'mores. Perfect for gatherings or as a sweet snack, these bars are easy to make and satisfy any sweet tooth.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 24

Equipment

• Electric hand mixer
• 9×13 baking pan

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 cups marshmallow fluff marshmallow creme
• 12 oz milk chocolate chips

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350℉. Prepare a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together room temperature unsalted butter and light brown sugar for a few minutes until light and fluffy. Add in eggs and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until a soft dough forms.
• Spread ⅔ of the graham cracker cookie dough into an even layer in the prepared baking pan. Spread the marshmallow fluff over the cookie dough and sprinkle with the milk chocolate chips. Crumble the remaining ⅓ of the cookie dough over the chocolate chip layer. The marshmallow fluff and chocolate chips will show through.
• Bake the s’mores bars for approximately 30 minutes until the bars are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan to room temperature. Remove the bars from the pan and cut into squares.

Notes

S’mores bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. Serve at room temperature or heat in the microwave for 10 seconds.