Easy Smores Bar Recipe: A Nostalgic Summer Treat Reimagined
S’Mores are one of those treats that instantly makes me nostalgic for the summer fun of my youth. But when a campfire isn’t an option, this smores bar recipe lets me recreate the summer treat in a cookie form. With gooey chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers, these S’More bars are an easy dessert to make for a summer cookout. A mess-free way to enjoy the summertime sweet. Perfect for parties, snacking, or to satisfy a craving.
What Makes This Smores Bar Recipe Great
For me it’s the classic flavors in a handy cookie. It’s all the magic of S’Mores with layers of graham crackers, marshmallow, and chocolate. An easy treat to make for a picnic, the beach, or any summer outing.
In addition to being super easy to make, this smores bar recipe has just a few ingredients. No special equipment, or big stand mixer required for this recipe. So it’s easy to pull together even if you’re on vacation and working with minimal supplies. You can make these S’Mores bars anytime, anywhere.
Tips for Ingredients and Substitutions
Graham Cracker Crumbs
I use graham cracker crumbs because it makes it so quick and easy to make these cookies. If you don’t have crumbs you can make your own by placing regular graham crackers in a food processor and pulsing until you have fine crumbs. Just be sure that you use fresh graham crackers. There’s nothing worse than soft and chewy crackers.
Marshmallow
This smores bar recipe uses two kinds of marshmallow. First, there’s marshmallow creme used as one of the layers. This makes the cookies extra gooey inside. Then mini marshmallows are placed on top for added texture and double the marshmallow goodness.
Chocolate
I keep it simple and use a bag of semisweet chocolate chips for this recipe. But when I make S’Mores on the campfire I use Hershey Milk Chocolate bars, so you can substitute any type of chocolate you’d like. And if you don’t have chocolate chips, just chop the chocolate you use into small pieces so that it melts into a creamy, melted layer.
Butter
Butter helps bind the graham cracker crumbs so that you get a nice crust on the bars. I like to use unsalted butter and add a tiny bit of salt on my own to control the amount of salt in the cookies. However, if you want to use salted butter that’s fine too. Just skip the added salt.
Baking Tips for the Recipe
Make sure that you don’t over bake these Smore bars. I would start checking on them around 15 minutes just to see how they are doing. But realistically it will take about 18-22 minutes to bake. The mini marshmallows on top will turn golden when they are ready to come out.
Let the bars cool completely before cutting. This makes it a lot easier to cut through all of the gooey layers. It also helps all of the layers gel together to give the cookies tons of flavor.
Recipe Variations
You know when it comes to classic flavors like you have with S’Mores, do you really need to mess with a good thing? If you are in the camp that you shouldn’t mess with a classic, then make these cookies as outlined. However, if you like to shake things up here are a couple of ideas for adding extra flavor to this Smore bar recipe.
Extra Chocolate Lover’s Bars:
Sprinkle some additional chocolate chips on top of the S’Mores bars right after they come out of the oven. Or, chop-up some Hershey bars and add those to the top. I like to do this because it lets you get the Hershey chocolate flavor in every bite. And to me, you can never have too much chocolate.
Nutty Bars:
Sprinkle chopped nuts, almonds or pecans over the marshmallows before baking. The nuts add an extra crunch and a salty contrast to the sweetness of the marshmallows and chocolate.
Salted Caramel S’mores Bars:
Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the chocolate layer before adding the marshmallow creme layer. This adds a salty layer and really gives these S’More cookies a balance of salty and sweet.
Step by Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9″x13″ baking pan by lining it with parchment paper. Then in a medium bowl, combine 2 1/3 cups of graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt and stir together until combined.
In a separate bowl, combine 1 stick of softened butter, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix together until combined, then add the graham cracker mixture. Stir to combine all of the ingredients. Remove 1 cup of the mixture and set it aside. Then pour the remaining mixture into the prepared baking pan and press down to form an even layer.
Scatter a bag of chocolate chips over the graham cracker layer. Add spoonfuls of marshmallow creme over the chocolate chips, and then spread it out into a layer. Run an offset spatula under hot water, wipe it dry and then use the warm knife to spread the marshmallow creme. Scatter 1 cup mini marshmallows on top of the marshmallow creme, and then scatter the 1 cup graham cracker crumbs on top.
Bake for 18-22 minutes. You’ll know that the bars are ready when the mini marshmallows start to turn golden. Don’t overbake, or let the marshmallows burn.
Freezing & Storing Leftovers
These S’Mores bars freeze and store easily. However, I always think that eating them right away is best.
Freezing:
If you do want to freeze them, wrap the bars in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag, or airtight container. They will keep for 2 months in the freezer. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, and then bring them to room temperature for an hour before serving.
Storing:
You can store leftover S’Mores bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm you may want to refrigerate them. Just know that the chocolate will firm up and the marshmallows can become a bit chewier.
This smores bar recipe is an easy way to bring the campfire treat to your kitchen without the fuss. The perfect balance of a crunchy graham cracker crust, melted chocolate, and gooey marshmallows. The layers combine to give you the perfect bite. Whether you’re sharing with family, friends, or just sneaking a piece for yourself, these s’mores bars tackle the craving for a nostalgic, summertime treat.
For more S’More dessert ideas, here are a few more to try when you have a craving. Smores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies have all of the flavors of a smore stuffed into a chocolate chip cookie. Or another twist on that is this recipe for Smores cookies.
If you tried this Smores Bar Recipe recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting and happy baking!
Gooey Baked S’mores Bars
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking pan
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 box (13.5oz) Graham Cracker Crumbs
- ⅓ cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup white sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 bag (11.5 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow cream
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9 X 13 inch pan with parchment paper.
- Add 2 ⅓ cups of graham cracker crumbs into a bowl. Add the flour and salt and mix until combined.
- In another bowl, beat the sugar, softened butter, and vanilla until blended.
- Add the graham cracker mixture to the butter mixture and stir to combine.
- Take out 1 cup of the mixture and set aside.
- Spread the rest of the mixture in the baking pan and press it evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Scatter the chocolate chips evenly on top of the crust.
- Add spoonfuls of the marshmallow creme on top of the chocolate chips.
- Dip an offset spatula in hot water to warm it up before spreading the marshmallow creme over the chocolate chips.
- Scatter the mini marshmallows on top of the marshmallow creme, and then sprinkle the remaining graham cracker mixture on top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 18-22. The mini marshmallows will begin to turn a light golden brown when the bars are ready.
- Set the pan aside to cool. When cool, remove from the pan to cut into bars.
Follow me on Pinterest for more fun and easy cookie recipes to make for any occasion. And if you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how it went.
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