S’mores Bars

🔥 S’mores Bars: Summer Campfire Magic, No Fire Required

Hey there, fellow dessert lovers! Chef Emily here, ready to spill the beans (or should I say, marshmallows?) on my all-time favorite treat: S’mores Bars. Picture this: a golden graham cracker crust, a river of melted chocolate, and a fluffy blanket of toasted marshmallows—all in one bite. No campfire? No problem. These bars are here to turn your kitchen into the coziest summer campfire pit, rain or shine.

I’ll never forget those sticky-fingered summers as a kid, roasting marshmallows over crackling flames until they turned into gooey lava. But let’s be real—most of us aren’t lugging firewood into our backyards on a Tuesday. That’s where these bars come in. They’re nostalgic, messy in the best way, and guaranteed to make you the MVP of bake sales, potlucks, or “I survived Monday” celebrations. Plus, they’re so easy, even your oven does most of the work. Ready to get your s’more on? Let’s dive in!

👩🍳 The Rainy Day That Started It All

Let me take you back to a soggy Saturday when I was eight. My mom and I had big plans for a backyard campout, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Rain poured down like Niagara Falls, and my marshmallow-roasting dreams were dashed. Enter Mom, superhero of kitchen improv. “Who needs a campfire?” she said, pulling out a bag of marshmallows and a grin. Together, we smashed graham crackers into crumbs, melted chocolate like pros, and invented our first batch of S’mores Bars. The smell of toasting marshmallows under the broiler? Pure magic. We ate them cross-legged on the living room floor, pretending the TV static was our “campfire.” To this day, every bite tastes like that cozy, rainy-day rebellion against boring weather.

✨ What You’ll Need (and Why!)

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs – The MVP of s’mores! Pro tip: Smash ’em yourself for rustic texture, or buy pre-crushed to save time. Gluten-free? Swap in GF grahams!
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted – Adds richness and binds the crust. Vegan? Coconut oil works, but add a pinch of salt to mimic butter’s depth.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar – Just enough sweetness to balance the chocolate. For a caramel twist, use brown sugar instead!
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips – Classic Hershey’s vibes. Dark chocolate lovers, go 70% for a grown-up kick!
• 4 cups mini marshmallows – Their small size melts evenly. No minis? Tear regular ’mallows into quarters—it’s oddly therapeutic.

🍴 Let’s Get Layering!

1. Preheat & Prep: Fire up that oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan—I’m Team Cooking Spray for speed, but butter adds extra flavor.
2. Crush & Press: Mix graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until it looks like wet sand. Chef’s Hack: Use a measuring cup to press the crust firmly. Loose crumbs = crumbly disaster!
3. Bake the Base: Pop the crust in the oven for 8–10 minutes. You want it lightly golden, not tan. It’ll firm up as it cools, promise!
4. Chocolate Time: Sprinkle chips over the warm crust and return to the oven for 2 minutes. Watch them glisten! Spread gently with a spatula—no need for perfection here.
5. Marshmallow Magic: Pile on the mini ’mallows. Now, the broiler: Set it to HIGH and WATCH LIKE A HAWK. 1–2 minutes max! They’ll puff and bronze like tiny sunsets.
6. Cool It: Let the pan cool completely. I know, the wait is brutal—but slicing too soon turns these into S’mores Soup. Worth it? Always.

🎉 How to Serve These Bad Boys

Slice into squares (a pizza cutter works wonders!) and stack ’em high on a rustic wooden board. For extra drama, drizzle with melted chocolate or sprinkle sea salt. Serve slightly warm with cold milk or a hot latte. Bonus points if you light a cinnamon candle and pretend it’s a campfire!

🔄 Mix It Up!

• Peanut Butter Swirl: Melt ½ cup peanut butter and swirl into the chocolate layer pre-marshmallow.
• Salted Caramel: Layer store-bought caramel sauce under the marshmallows.
• Cookie Monster: Replace half the graham crumbs with crushed chocolate chip cookies.
• Vegan Vibes: Use coconut oil, vegan chocolate, and Dandies marshmallows.

👨🍳 Behind the Recipe

Fun fact: My first test batch was a marshmallow inferno. I walked away during broiling and returned to a charred mess—lesson learned! Now, I set a timer and camp by the oven. Over the years, I’ve tweaked the crust ratio (more butter = better hold) and learned that mini marshmallows are non-negotiable. Pro tip: These bars freeze beautifully! Layer cooled slices between parchment paper and thaw at room temp. They’re my secret weapon for last-minute guests.

❓ You Asked, I Answered

Q: Why did my crust crumble?
A: Press, press, press! Use the bottom of a cup and really compact it. If it’s still dry, add 1 extra tbsp melted butter.

Q: Can I use large marshmallows?
A: You can, but slice them thin. Minis melt faster and give that iconic “toasted” look without burning.

Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Room temp in an airtight container for 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Microwave 10 seconds to revive the goo!

Q: Marshmallows caught fire—help!
A: Been there! Broil on a middle rack, not top, and never walk away. If they ignite, blow out quickly and scrape off the burnt bits. No one will know. 😉

📊 Nutrition (per bar)

Calories: ~180 | Fat: 9g | Carbs: 24g | Protein: 2g

S’mores Bars

Print Recipe

• Author: Emily Walker
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

8 cups Golden Grahams cereal

5 cups mini marshmallows (divided)

1 (11.5 oz) bag milk chocolate chips

1/4 cup light corn syrup

5 tbsp butter

Instructions

Grease a 9×13-inch pan and set aside.

In a large pot, melt butter, corn syrup, chocolate chips, and 4 cups of the marshmallows over low heat. Stir until smooth.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Gently fold in Golden Grahams and remaining 1 cup of marshmallows.

Press mixture evenly into the prepared pan (use wax paper or lightly buttered hands).

Let cool, then cut into squares and enjoy!

Nutrition

• Calories: 180 per bar
• Fat: 9g per bar
• Carbohydrates: 24g per bar
• Protein: 2g per bar

Final Thoughts:

As you savor the last bite of these delightful treats, it’s clear that both the Samoa Rice Krispie Treats and the S’mores Bars bring a touch of nostalgia and indulgence to any occasion. Whether you’re reminiscing about campfire stories or craving the classic flavors of your favorite Girl Scout cookies, these bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and warm your heart.