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S’mores Cookie Bars: A Gooey Delight That Brings the Campfire Indoors

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There’s something uniquely nostalgic about the gooey, chocolatey, marshmallow-laden perfection of a s’more. It instantly conjures images of crackling campfires, laughter-filled evenings, and sticky fingers. But what if you could capture that beloved campfire treat and transform it into something even more indulgent? Enter S’mores Cookie Bars, a layered dessert that elevates the classic trio of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate into a gourmet experience.

Ingredients

1. Graham Crackers

    • Amount: 7–8 full sheets (78–109g)

    • Role: The graham crackers form the foundation of this dessert, lending a toasty, honeyed crunch that provides structure and perfectly complements the softer layers above.

2. Unsalted Butter

    • Amount: 1 cup (226g), softened

    • Role: Butter is the key to a rich and tender cookie dough. Its creamy consistency binds the sugars and flour, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

3. Sugars

    • Granulated Sugar: ¾ cup (150g)

    • Light Brown Sugar: ¾ cup (150g), gently packed

    • Role: The combination of granulated and brown sugars delivers sweetness while contributing to the moist, slightly chewy texture of the cookie layer. Brown sugar, in particular, adds a subtle caramel note.

4. Eggs

    • Amount: 2 large

    • Role: Eggs are essential for binding the dough and ensuring a soft, tender crumb in the baked bars.

5. Vanilla Extract

    • Amount: 2 teaspoons

    • Role: Vanilla enhances the sweetness of the dessert, adding warmth and depth to the flavor profile.

6. Dry Ingredients

    • All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups (360g)

    • Salt: ¾ teaspoon

    • Baking Soda: ¾ teaspoon

    • Role: These form the structural backbone of the cookie dough, ensuring it bakes up beautifully with just the right amount of rise.

7. Add-Ins

    • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: ½ cup (135g)

    • Mini Marshmallows: 1 cup (45g)

    • Role: These are the stars of the cookie layer, delivering gooey, chocolatey pockets of joy in every bite.

8. Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars

    • Amount: 2 regular-sized bars (1.55 oz/43g each), broken into squares

    • Role: Placed atop the warm cookie bars, these melt slightly to create the signature s’mores effect, adding creamy milk chocolate to every bite.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring the edges hang over the sides for easy removal. This step not only prevents sticking but also makes lifting the finished bars out of the pan a breeze.

Step 2: Lay the Graham Cracker Base

Arrange the graham crackers in a single layer across the bottom of the pan. Break them into smaller sections if needed to ensure full coverage. This layer will provide the signature crunch reminiscent of classic s’mores.

Step 3: Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which helps the dough achieve a tender texture.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, which enhances the overall flavor.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows for bursts of gooey, melty goodness throughout the dough.

Step 4: Assemble the Layers

Spread the cookie dough evenly over the graham cracker base. Use your hands or a spatula to press the dough down gently, ensuring it reaches all corners of the pan. If desired, sprinkle a few extra mini marshmallows on top for added visual appeal and gooey texture.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake the assembled bars in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the edges brown too quickly, cover the pan with foil to prevent overbaking.

Step 6: Add the Chocolate Bar Topping

While the cookie bars are still warm from the oven, place the Hershey’s chocolate squares on top. The heat will slightly melt the chocolate, allowing it to adhere to the cookie layer.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 20–30 minutes. Then, use the parchment overhang to lift them out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Slice into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife. For clean edges, wipe the blade with a damp cloth between cuts.

Notes

  • Even Baking: If the edges start to brown too quickly, cover the pan with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
  • Storage: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For a firmer texture, refrigerate them.
  • Clean Slicing: Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for perfectly portioned bars.

Find it online: https://paularecipes.com/smores-cookie-bars-a-gooey-delight-that-brings-the-campfire-indoors/