Name: Smores Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-492200H34M57S
Total time: PT-492200H34M57S
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter; 2 large eggs; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup light brown sugar; 7-8 full sheets graham crackers; 1 cup mini marshmallows; ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 2 1.55 oz Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ¾ teaspoon salt; ¾ teaspoon baking soda

Summer campfires meet dessert magic in these s’mores cookie bars! Classic graham cracker memories blend with gooey chocolate and toasty marshmallow sensations that spark pure joy.

Decadent comfort rushes through every single bite of this crowd-pleasing treat.

Sweet nostalgia connects friends and family around a delightful dessert experience that feels like an instant celebration.

Soft, rich layers promise maximum satisfaction for anyone craving something truly special.

Casual gatherings, potlucks, and weekend afternoons become extraordinary with these sensational bars.

Everyone will absolutely love how simple yet impressive this dessert becomes when served.

Simple Setup: Graham crackers create the perfect base that saves extra prep work, letting you build delicious layers without complicated steps.
Crowd-Pleaser Dessert: These bars combine classic campfire flavors everyone recognizes, making them fantastic for gatherings where people love familiar sweet treats.
Kid-Friendly Creation: Children can help press marshmallows and sprinkle chocolate, turning baking into a fun family activity that keeps small hands happily engaged.
No-Fuss Technique: With just one pan and basic mixing, this recipe delivers maximum flavor without complicated techniques that might stress a home baker.

Graham Cracker Base:

7-8 Full Sheets Graham Crackers: These create a crunchy foundation that gives your bars a classic s’mores feel right from the start.

Wet Ingredients:

1 Cup (2 Sticks) Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for smooth mixing and rich, tender texture.
2 Large Eggs: They help bind the dough and create a soft, chewy consistency.
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet depth to the entire cookie bar.

Sugar Components:

¾ Cup Granulated Sugar, ¾ Cup Light Brown Sugar: These combine to deliver perfect sweetness and help create a golden, slightly crisp exterior.

Dry Ingredients:

3 Cups All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for your cookie bars.
¾ Teaspoon Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
¾ Teaspoon Baking Soda: Helps the dough rise and spread evenly.

Chocolate and Marshmallow Elements:

½ Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Scattered throughout for pockets of melty chocolate goodness.
1 Cup Mini Marshmallows: Provides classic s’mores texture with gooey, toasted spots.
2 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars (1.55 Oz Each): Melted on top for that signature s’mores finish.

13×9-inch Baking Pan: Your primary vessel for creating these delectable bars, ensuring even baking and easy removal with parchment paper.
Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugars to create a light, fluffy base that makes these bars incredibly soft.
Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients and creating your cookie dough base with smooth consistency.
Separate Mixing Bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients before incorporating them into the wet mixture.
Whisk: Crucial for thoroughly blending flour, salt, and baking soda without lumps.
Spatula: Helps fold in chocolate chips and marshmallows, then spread dough evenly and gently mix melted chocolate.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure precise ingredient quantities for consistent results.
Parchment Paper: Provides easy bar removal and prevents sticking to the baking pan.
Cooling Rack: Optional, but helpful for cooling bars after removing from the oven.

Prep the Pan

Heat the oven to exactly 375°F. Grab a 13×9-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Create an overhang on the sides so you can easily lift out the bars later. Break 7-8 full graham cracker sheets to cover the entire bottom of the pan, fitting them together like a puzzle.

Mix Wet Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and your electric mixer. Cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of room temperature butter with ¾ cup granulated sugar and ¾ cup packed light brown sugar until the mixture looks fluffy and light. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, then 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Mix until everything is smooth and well combined.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¾ teaspoon baking soda. Slowly add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until everything comes together.

Add Chocolate and Marshmallows

Gently fold in these ingredients:

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup mini marshmallows

Spread the dough evenly over the graham cracker base, pressing down gently to create a smooth layer.

Add Extra Marshmallows

Sprinkle additional mini marshmallows across the top of the dough. This gives your bars extra gooey goodness.

Bake the Bars

Slide the pan into the 375°F oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Watch for a golden top that looks set. If the marshmallows start browning too quickly, cover the pan loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes.

Chocolate Topping

Right after removing the pan from the oven, break 2 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars (1.55 oz each) into pieces and scatter them across the hot surface. Let the chocolate soften, then spread gently with a spatula if you want a smooth chocolate layer.

Cool and Serve

Let the bars cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes. Use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire batch out. Cut into squares or rectangles and serve warm or at room temperature.

Create a solid foundation by pressing graham crackers tightly into your pan, breaking pieces to fill every corner without gaps.
Cream butter and sugars until super fluffy, which helps your bars become perfectly soft and tender when baked.
Fold marshmallows gently into your dough and sprinkle extra on top for those delightful gooey pockets that make s’mores bars special.
After baking, let Hershey’s chocolate pieces rest on the warm surface, then spread softly for an even, melty chocolate layer that looks professional.
Wait 20-30 minutes before cutting bars, allowing everything to set and making clean, beautiful slices possible.

Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Alternative: Replace standard graham crackers with gluten-free graham crackers or gluten-free saltine crackers, ensuring the base remains crisp and sturdy for your cookie bars.
Vegan Marshmallow Swap: Substitute regular marshmallows with vegan marshmallows and dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based version that keeps the classic s’mores flavor profile.
Dark Chocolate Sophistication: Trade Hershey’s milk chocolate for premium dark chocolate bars with 70% cocoa content, which adds a deeper, more intense chocolate experience to your bars.
Nutty Crunch Variation: Sprinkle chopped almonds or pecans between layers of dough and marshmallows to introduce a delightful textural element and subtle nutty undertone to your s’mores bars.

Slice and Share: Cut these bars into small, bite-sized squares at your next gathering – friends will go crazy for the gooey, chocolatey goodness.
Warm Serving Suggestion: Warm these bars slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to get that perfect melty marshmallow and chocolate texture.
Breakfast Twist: Pair these cookie bars with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee for a decadent morning treat that feels like a special indulgence.
Picnic Perfect: Pack these bars in a sealed container for an amazing outdoor dessert that travels well and brings smiles to everyone’s faces.

Seal cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature, where chocolate lovers can enjoy them for 3-4 days.
Refrigerate the bars if your kitchen gets warm, wrapping them carefully to prevent moisture from making the graham cracker base soggy.
For longer storage, freeze the bars in single layers between parchment paper, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
When ready to enjoy frozen bars, thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes to restore their perfect soft-chewy consistency.

FAQ

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These s’mores cookie bars can be prepared a day in advance and stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Just cover them carefully so the marshmallows don’t stick to the wrap.

FAQ

What if I don’t have parchment paper?

No worries. Grease your baking pan generously with butter or cooking spray. The bars might stick slightly more, but they’ll still taste delicious.

FAQ

Are these bars good for a crowd?

Totally! The recipe makes about 12-15 bars, depending on how large you cut them. They’re perfect for potlucks, parties, or when your sweet tooth needs satisfying.

FAQ

Can I substitute the chocolate chips?

Definitely. Feel free to use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips. The key is using chips that melt smoothly.

FAQ

Do these taste exactly like campfire s’mores?

Not precisely, but they capture that classic graham, chocolate, and marshmallow flavor in a convenient, easy-to-eat bar form. The graham cracker base gives an authentic s’mores foundation.

FAQ

How do I get clean, neat slices?

Let the bars cool completely, then use a sharp knife wiped with hot water between each cut. This helps create smooth, clean edges.

Logan Lemaster

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe Development and Innovation, Menu Design and Optimization, Fine Dining Techniques, Ingredient Pairing and Flavor Science

Education

Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute

Degree: Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts
Focus: Advanced culinary techniques, kitchen management, and diverse cuisine mastery.

Logan’s culinary journey kicked off in his vibrant Chicago family kitchen, where fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavors were always front and center.

After graduating from the Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute in Arlington, Virginia, and honing his skills in renowned restaurants, Logan mastered the art of blending classic techniques with exciting, modern twists.

His kitchen is a dynamic lab for flavor exploration. Through Yum Utopia, Logan aims to empower you to cook with both confidence and creativity, turning simple ingredients into spectacular meals.