How to Make the Perfect S'mores Cookie Bars
American · Easy · 40 min · 12 servings
Thick and chewy cookie bars layered with graham cracker crumbs, melty chocolate, and toasted marshmallow on top. Every bite delivers the classic campfire flavor without the bonfire.
Why this recipe works
This S'mores Cookie Bars recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 40 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 310 calories with 4g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 whole large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar until combined. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan.
Step 2: Mix the Cookie Layer
In a bowl, stir together remaining melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Fold in half the chocolate chips. Spread this mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust.
Step 3: Add Chocolate Layer
Scatter the remaining semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the cookie batter layer. This creates an extra burst of melted chocolate throughout each bar.
Step 4: Bake Until Set
Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until the edges are golden and the center appears mostly set but still slightly soft. Remove from oven and immediately scatter mini marshmallows evenly across the top.
Step 5: Toast the Marshmallows
Switch the oven to broil on high. Return the pan to the oven and broil for 60 to 90 seconds, watching constantly, until marshmallows are puffed and golden brown. Do not walk away as they burn quickly. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- semi-sweet chocolate chips → milk chocolate chips for a sweeter bar
- mini marshmallows → large marshmallows cut in half with scissors
- graham cracker crumbs → digestive biscuit crumbs for a similar texture
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Pressing the graham cracker crust too loosely means it will crumble apart when the bars are sliced
- Overbaking the cookie layer before adding marshmallows results in dry crumbly bars
- Walking away during broiling even briefly risks burning the marshmallows to black in under a minute
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 310 calories, 4g protein, 43g carbs, 14g fat, 1g fiber.
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