Oh, I just LOVE the smell of summer, don’t you? It’s the season of backyard barbecues, lazy afternoons, and best of all, that irresistible, gooey campfire flavor that only s’mores can bring. And let me tell you, my s’mores cookie bars capture all of that magic without even needing a bonfire! These are hands-down my favorite way to get that marshmallow-graham cracker-chocolate goodness into an easy, crowd-pleasing bar. They’re perfect for any summer gathering, whether it’s a big party or just a sweet treat for the family. As Catherine always says, food is a story, and these bars definitely tell a tale of fun, family, and deliciousness. I learned how to really nail a recipe through my culinary training, and trust me, these are rigorously tested to be absolutely perfect and totally approachable. You’re going to adore them!
- Why You'll Love These S'mores Cookie Bars
- Gather Your Ingredients for S'mores Cookie Bars
- Crafting the Perfect S'mores Cookie Bars: Step-by-Step
- Tips for the Best S'mores Cookie Bars
- Ingredient Notes and Potential Substitutions
- Frequently Asked Questions About S'mores Cookie Bars
- Storing and Reheating Your S'mores Cookie Bars
- Serving Suggestions for Your S'mores Cookie Bars
- Estimated Nutritional Information for S'mores Cookie Bars
Why You’ll Love These S’mores Cookie Bars
Seriously, these are a game-changer! Here’s why you’ll totally adore them:
- They’re easy s’mores cookie bars! You get all that amazing s’mores flavor without the fuss of actual campfires.
- Perfect for summer s’mores dessert cravings, parties, picnics, or just because it’s Tuesday.
- Seriously, who doesn’t love gooey marshmallows, melty chocolate chips, and graham cracker goodness all in one bite?
- They’re incredibly simple to whip up, making them the best s’mores cookie bars for busy bakers!
Gather Your Ingredients for S’mores Cookie Bars
Okay, let’s get our goodies together for these amazing s’mores cookie bars! You’ll need:
- 1 cup (that’s two sticks!) of unsalted butter, softened. Make SURE it’s softened, not melted, or your bars won’t have that perfect chewy texture.
- 1 cup of granulated sugar.
- 1 cup of packed light brown sugar. Packing it in is key for that moisture!
- 2 large eggs. Just your regular eggs from the carton.
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. It really makes everything pop!
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour.
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt. It balances out all that sweetness.
- 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Milk chocolate is good too, but semi-sweet is my go-to!
- 2 cups of mini marshmallows. Don’t use the big ones, they just won’t distribute as nicely!
- 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs. I like to crush my own for the best flavor.
Crafting the Perfect S’mores Cookie Bars: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get down to business and make these incredible s’mores cookie bars! It’s super simple, I promise. Just follow these steps and you’ll have a tray of pure gooey happiness.
Preparing Your Baking Pan and Oven
First things first, let’s get that oven heated up! Pop it in at 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming, grab your 9×13 inch baking pan. Give it a good greasing and flouring – this is super important so our bars don’t stick. You want them to slide right out!
Creating the Cookie Dough Base
Now for the yummy cookie dough part! In a big bowl, grab your softened butter and both sugars – the white and the brown. Cream them together until it’s nice and fluffy. This usually takes a minute or two with an electric mixer, or a bit longer if you’re using a sturdy spoon like I sometimes do! Then, beat in those two eggs, one at a time, followed by that splash of vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk up your flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this dry mixture to your butter mixture, mixing it in gently until it’s just combined. Don’t go crazy mixing here; we want tender bars, not tough ones!
Assembling the S’mores Cookie Bars Layers
This is where the magic happens! Take about half of that glorious cookie dough and press it down evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. It’s like making a giant graham cracker crust, but cookie! Now, sprinkle those chocolate chips and mini marshmallows all over that first layer of dough. Then, sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the marshmallows – this is for that classic s’mores crunch! Finally, take the rest of your cookie dough and crumble it all on top, making sure to get a nice, even layer.
Baking and Cooling Your S’mores Cookie Bars
Pop that beauty into your preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for those edges to get a lovely golden brown, and the center should look mostly set. Now, this is SUPER important: let those s’mores cookie bars cool completely in the pan. I know, it’s torture waiting, but if you try to cut them while they’re hot, they’ll just turn into a gooey mess. You want nice, clean squares, so patience is key here!
Tips for the Best S’mores Cookie Bars
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but let me give you a few little pointers from my kitchen to yours to make your s’mores cookie bars absolutely legendary. First off, that softened butter is NO JOKE. If your butter is too melty, you’ll end up with flatter, greasier bars, and nobody wants that! You want it soft enough to make an indent when you poke it, but still cool to the touch. Also, don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour – just mix until it’s *barely* combined. Overmixing means tough cookie bars, and we want tender, chewy goodness!
Ingredient Notes and Potential Substitutions
Let’s chat a little about some of the ingredients in these s’mores cookie bars! For the chocolate chips, semi-sweet is my favorite because it cuts through the sweetness of the marshmallows and graham crackers perfectly, but feel free to use milk chocolate if that’s what you have on hand! And for the graham cracker crumbs, if you don’t have them pre-crushed, just pop about 10-12 full graham crackers into a zip-top bag and give them a good bash with a rolling pin. It works like a charm!
Frequently Asked Questions About S’mores Cookie Bars
Got questions about making these amazing s’mores cookie bars? I totally get it! Here are a few things people often ask me:
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! While I love semi-sweet for that classic flavor balance, feel free to use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter bite, or even dark chocolate chips if you like a richer flavor. You can even mix them up!
What’s the best way to get that gooey marshmallow layer?
The key is to make sure your marshmallows are fresh! If they seem a little old and hard, they might not get as gooey. You can also try putting the pan under the broiler for just 30-60 seconds right at the end of baking, but WATCH THEM LIKE A HAWK because they can go from perfectly toasted to burnt super fast!
My cookie bars are spreading too much, what did I do wrong?
That usually happens if your butter was too soft or even melted when you started creaming it with the sugar. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature – it should give a little when you press it, but not be greasy or liquidy. Also, avoid overmixing after adding the flour!
Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
You sure can! These s’mores cookie bars are actually even better made a day ahead. Just let them cool completely, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap, and they’ll be perfectly ooey-gooey and ready to serve when you are!
Storing and Reheating Your S’mores Cookie Bars
Okay, so you’ve made these amazing s’mores cookie bars, and maybe, just maybe, you have a few leftover (though I doubt it!). To keep them tasting as fresh and gooey as possible, store them in an airtight container right on the counter. They’re usually pretty good for about 3-4 days. If you want to reheat them for that perfect melty, gooey texture, just pop a square in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It brings them right back to life!
Serving Suggestions for Your S’mores Cookie Bars
These s’mores cookie bars are so dreamy on their own, but if you want to make them extra special, I’ve got a couple of ideas! A tall, cold glass of milk is always a winner, of course. Or, for a real treat, try serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast of the warm cookie bar and the cold ice cream is just heavenly, especially with that gooey marshmallow factor!
Estimated Nutritional Information for S’mores Cookie Bars
Just a little note about the nutrition info you might see floating around for these s’mores cookie bars: the estimates can really vary depending on the brands you use and even how you measure things out. So, think of any numbers you see as a general guideline!
PrintS’mores Cookie Bars
Enjoy the classic campfire s’mores flavor in an easy-to-make bar, perfect for summer gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- 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 stir in 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 until just combined.
- Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows evenly over the cookie dough layer.
- Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the marshmallows.
- Crumble the remaining cookie dough over the graham cracker layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
- For extra gooeyness, you can add a layer of marshmallow fluff between the chocolate chips and graham cracker crumbs.
- Ensure your butter is softened, not melted, for the best cookie bar texture.
- You can toast the marshmallows slightly under the broiler for a more authentic s’mores flavor, but watch them closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg