Name: S'mores Cookie Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (120g) graham cracker crumbs (about 8 full sheets); ½ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 heaping cup marshmallow creme (store-bought or homemade)

A delicious twist on the classic campfire treat, these S’mores Cookie Bars bring together graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallow in a convenient, no-fire-needed dessert bar. With a buttery graham cracker cookie base, gooey marshmallow center, and chocolate chips throughout, they capture all the flavors of traditional s’mores in a form you can enjoy year-round.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These S’mores Cookie Bars are the perfect solution for s’mores cravings without the campfire. The bars feature a soft, chewy graham cracker cookie base and topping, with a luscious layer of marshmallow creme and chocolate chips in between. They’re easier to make than traditional cookies, as there’s no scooping or shaping individual cookies. Plus, they’re perfect for sharing at potlucks, bake sales, or family gatherings. Kids and adults alike will love this nostalgic treat that brings back memories of summer nights while being accessible any time of year.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Unsalted butter serves as the rich foundation for these cookie bars, creating a tender texture and buttery flavor that complements the graham cracker elements perfectly.
Brown sugar adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create that chewy texture we all love in cookie bars. It also brings moisture that keeps the bars soft for days.
Eggs bind the ingredients together while adding structure to the bars, helping them rise properly and maintain their shape when cut.
Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the recipe, adding that warm, aromatic quality that makes baked goods so irresistible.
All-purpose flour provides the structure for our cookie bars, giving them substance while still allowing for a tender crumb when combined with the other ingredients.
Graham cracker crumbs are what give these bars their distinctive s’mores flavor, incorporating that honey-wheat taste that’s essential to the classic campfire treat.
Baking powder helps the cookie dough rise slightly, ensuring the bars aren’t too dense while maintaining their chewy cookie texture.
Salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the flavors in the bars – even sweet desserts need a touch of salt to shine.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips deliver those essential melty chocolate pockets throughout the bars, giving you the classic s’mores chocolate element in every bite.
Marshmallow creme creates the gooey, stretchy middle layer that mimics toasted marshmallows, providing that authentic s’mores experience without needing to toast actual marshmallows.

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8- or 9-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift out the bars later.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar using a mixer on medium-high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat until combined. Don’t worry if the mixture looks slightly curdled at this stage.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on medium speed until everything is fully incorporated into a cookie dough.
Take approximately 2/3 of the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan to form a thin base layer. Make sure it’s packed down firmly.
Carefully spread the marshmallow creme in an even layer over the dough base. This can be a bit tricky as the creme is sticky – try using a spatula lightly coated with cooking spray to help spread it more easily.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the marshmallow layer, distributing them so every bite gets some chocolate.
Take the remaining 1/3 of the dough and break it into flat pieces. Gently place these pieces over the top to create a somewhat broken top crust. It’s okay if some marshmallow and chocolate remain exposed – this creates that rustic s’mores look.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is lightly golden and the edges are set. The center may still seem slightly soft, but it will set as it cools.
Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. This cooling time is important for the layers to set properly.
Once cooled, lift the entire dessert out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares on a cutting board.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 16 delicious bars, perfect for sharing with family and friends. The prep time is approximately 15 minutes, with a cook time of 25-30 minutes. However, you’ll need to allow for a full cooling time of about 2-3 hours before cutting for best results. Each bar contains approximately 280 calories, making them a satisfying but portioned treat. The total time from start to finish is about 3 hours, including cooling time.

Variations

Double Chocolate S’mores Bars: Add cocoa powder to the cookie dough for a chocolate-on-chocolate experience.
Peanut Butter S’mores Bars: Swirl 1/4 cup of peanut butter into the marshmallow creme layer or add peanut butter chips along with the chocolate chips.
Nutella S’mores Bars: Replace half of the marshmallow creme with Nutella for a chocolate-hazelnut twist.
Fruity S’mores Bars: Add dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries to the cookie dough for a fruity contrast.
Caramel S’mores Bars: Drizzle caramel sauce over the marshmallow layer before adding the chocolate chips.
White Chocolate S’mores Bars: Substitute white chocolate chips for the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Cookies and Cream S’mores Bars: Mix crushed Oreo cookies into the graham cracker cookie dough.
Mint Chocolate S’mores Bars: Use mint chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips for a refreshing flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Room Temperature Storage: Store these S’mores Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers if you need to stack them to prevent sticking.
Refrigeration: While not necessary, you can refrigerate the bars to extend their shelf life to about 10 days. Just be aware that refrigeration may make the texture slightly firmer.
Freezing: These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheating: For that fresh-baked experience, microwave a bar for 10-15 seconds to slightly warm it and make the chocolate melty again. Be careful not to overheat, or the marshmallow layer may expand too much.
Making Ahead: You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Let it come to room temperature before pressing into the pan. The fully baked and cooled bars can also be made 1-2 days before serving.

FAQs

Can I use actual marshmallows instead of marshmallow creme?

While marshmallow creme works best for the gooey center layer, you can substitute with mini marshmallows in a pinch. Spread them evenly over the base layer before adding the chocolate chips. They won’t create quite the same smooth texture but will still give you that classic marshmallow flavor.

Why did my marshmallow layer disappear during baking?

If your marshmallow layer seems to have disappeared, it likely got absorbed into the cookie dough. Make sure your base layer is firmly packed and try chilling the base layer for 15 minutes before adding the marshmallow creme. Also, ensure your marshmallow layer is thick enough before adding the top cookie layer.

Can I use homemade graham crackers instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade graham crackers will work wonderfully in this recipe. Simply pulse them in a food processor until they reach a fine crumb consistency. The flavor may be slightly different but often even better than using store-bought.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The top should be lightly golden brown, and the edges should appear set. The center might still look slightly soft, but it will continue to set as it cools. Over-baking will result in dry, hard bars, so it’s better to slightly under-bake than over-bake.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, you can make these gluten-free by using gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free graham crackers. Just make sure all your other ingredients, including the vanilla extract and baking powder, are certified gluten-free as well.

Why is my dough too crumbly?

If your dough seems too dry and crumbly, it might be due to over-measuring the flour or graham cracker crumbs. Try adding a tablespoon of milk or an extra tablespoon of butter to bring it together. The dough should be somewhat firm but still hold together when pressed.

Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Certainly! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even peanuts would make a delicious addition. Add about 1/2 cup of chopped nuts either to the cookie dough or sprinkle them over the chocolate chip layer for added crunch and flavor.

Why did my bars turn out too soft or gooey?

If your bars are too soft even after cooling completely, they might have been under-baked. Make sure to bake until the top is golden and the edges are set. Also, allowing them to cool completely (which can take 2-3 hours) is essential for proper setting.

Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes, but keep an eye on them and check for doneness using the same visual cues – golden top and set edges.

How do I get clean cuts when slicing the bars?

For neat, clean cuts, make sure the bars are completely cooled. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. For extra precision, refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes before cutting, or run your knife under hot water, wipe it dry, and then cut.

Conclusion

These S’mores Cookie Bars offer all the nostalgic flavors of a campfire treat in a convenient, handheld dessert. Perfect for any time of year, they bring together the classic trinity of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallow in a format that’s ideal for sharing. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert for a potluck, a special treat for the kids, or just a way to enjoy the taste of summer all year round, these bars deliver satisfaction in every bite. The combination of the graham cracker-infused cookie base, gooey marshmallow center, and melty chocolate creates a dessert that’s greater than the sum of its parts. So go ahead – indulge in these S’mores Cookie Bars and enjoy a taste of campfire magic, no fire required.

S’mores Cookie Bars