1. Introduction to S’more Cookie Bars
Who doesn’t love the nostalgic combination of gooey marshmallows, melted chocolate, and crunchy graham crackers? S’more Cookie Bars bring this classic campfire treat to your kitchen, without the need for a fire pit! These bars are a fun twist on traditional s’mores, packed with all the delicious flavors of the campfire treat, but in a convenient, easy-to-make cookie bar form.
With layers of buttery cookie dough, melted chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbs, these bars are rich, chewy, and absolutely irresistible. Perfect for any occasion, from a casual snack to a fun dessert for family gatherings, these s’more cookie bars will quickly become your new favorite treat.
2. Ingredients for S’more Cookie Bars
These cookie bars require simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make the perfect s’more cookie bars:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened) – This is the base of the dough and helps create a rich, soft texture.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar – Sweetens the dough and contributes to a tender cookie base.
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar – Adds moisture and a bit of caramel flavor.
- 1 large egg – Binds the dough together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – For flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – The main structure of the dough.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda – Helps the bars rise and get fluffy.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – To balance the sweetness.
For the S’more Layers:
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs – The key to the s’more flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips – You can use milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips, depending on your preference.
- 2 cups mini marshmallows – These will melt beautifully in the bars, giving that perfect gooey texture.
These simple ingredients combine to create a rich, gooey, and delicious s’more bar that will be a hit with kids and adults alike!
3. Preparing the Cookie Dough
The first step is to make the cookie dough, which will serve as the base and the top layer of the s’more bars.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it with butter for easy removal after baking.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix, as this can lead to dense cookie bars.
4. Assembling the S’more Cookie Bars
Once your dough is ready, it’s time to assemble the s’mores layers and bake the bars.
- Prepare the First Layer: Press about 2/3 of the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly to cover the entire base.
- Add the S’more Layers:
- Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the cookie dough.
- Next, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the graham cracker crumbs, followed by the mini marshmallows.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Take the remaining cookie dough and gently drop spoonfuls over the top of the marshmallows and chocolate chips. Use a spatula to gently press the dough down to cover as much of the filling as possible. It’s okay if some marshmallows and chocolate peek through.
5. Baking the S’more Cookie Bars
Now, it’s time to bake these decadent cookie bars to perfection.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (it’s okay if there’s a little melted chocolate on the toothpick). The marshmallows may look a bit golden and bubbly on top.
- Cool: Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them set and make them easier to cut into squares.
6. Serving the S’more Cookie Bars
Once your cookie bars are cool and set, it’s time to cut and serve:
- Cut Into Squares: Once cooled, cut the cookie bars into squares or rectangles, depending on your preferred size.
- Serve: These bars are best served warm or at room temperature. The chocolate will still be slightly gooey, and the marshmallows will be soft and chewy, just like a real s’more!
- Store Leftovers: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months for a treat at a later time.
FAQs about S’more Cookie Bars
1. Can I make these s’more cookie bars gluten-free?
Yes! You can make these cookie bars gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that the graham cracker crumbs and chocolate chips are also gluten-free.
2. Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
Yes, you can use regular-sized marshmallows, but they might not melt as evenly. You can cut them into smaller pieces before adding them to the bars, so they spread more evenly.
3. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Just make sure to let them cool completely before storing.
4. Can I freeze these s’more cookie bars?
Yes, these bars freeze well! After baking, allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the oven.
5. Can I add nuts to these s’more cookie bars?
Yes! If you like, you can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the dough or sprinkle them on top of the marshmallow and chocolate layers for extra crunch.
6. Can I make the s’mores filling different flavors?
Of course! You can add different flavored chocolates (like white chocolate or peanut butter cups) or even flavored marshmallows to make unique variations of the traditional s’more flavor.
7. How can I make these bars more chocolatey?
For an extra chocolatey version, you can use chocolate chunks or double the amount of chocolate chips. You can also add cocoa powder to the dough for a deeper chocolate flavor.
8. Can I make these without graham cracker crumbs?
While graham cracker crumbs give the bars their signature s’more flavor, you can substitute them with crushed pretzels for a salty-sweet combination, or even crushed cookies for a different twist.
9. Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No, there’s no need to chill the dough for this recipe. You can assemble the bars and bake them right away. The dough will bake perfectly as long as you follow the steps.
10. Can I use a different type of chocolate?
Yes! You can swap the chocolate chips for any type of chocolate you prefer—dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even caramel-filled chocolate for a fun twist.
These S’more Cookie Bars are the ultimate combination of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker goodness. They’re easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy these bars for a sweet, nostalgic treat that everyone will love!