S’mores Cookie Bars
These glorious S’mores cookie bars have a buttery, graham cracker base and fissures of gooey marshmallow and decadent chocolate running throughout.
These glorious blondie cookie bars are fashioned after a S’mores starting with a buttery, graham cracker base and ending with fissures of gooey marshmallows and decadent chocolate running throughout.
Bookmarked for a while, I actually tried these bars a month or so ago and they failed miserably because I had the bright idea to sub “real” marshmallows for the fluff. Bad idea – the marshmallows completely melted and disappeared while baking.
Once I came around to the idea of using the marshmallow fluff in something other than this honey butter, these bars turned out magically delicious. Downright addicting, even.
I loved the unique texture and flavor of graham crackers in an otherwise blondie-look-alike. Plus, the brilliance of these S’mores bars is that my kids can enjoy the flavors of a classic S’mores without their anxiety-ridden mother worrying they will jump into the fire pit trying to rescue their burning marshmallow. I’m all about S’mores safety.
So what if my kids are the only ones who reach adulthood thinking a S’mores Cookie Bar is the only way to eat a S’mores? With cookie bars this delicious, they won’t hold a grudge against me too long. I hope.
S’mores Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups (284 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (200 g) crushed graham cracker crumbs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (227 g) butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (318 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups marshmallow topping, like Marshmallow Fluff or Creme
- 2 cups (340 g) milk or semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the 2 short sides. Grease the foil with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture, mixing until combined.
- Divide the dough in half. Press half into the bottom of the prepared pan until the dough is evenly flattened. Dollop the marshmallow topping on top of the cookie base and gently spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
- Scatter the remaining dough over the top in clumps. Don’t worry about completely covering the top, the marshmallow and chocolate chips should peek through.
- Bake the bars until golden brown, about 30-32 minutes. Cool completely. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil overhangs. Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted slightly from All You (May 20, 2011 Issue)
113 Comments on “S’mores Cookie Bars”
I do not like marshmallows, but these bars were sooo delicious!!
I had no marshmallow fluff so I used big marshmallows (cut them in half) and tried to cover with last half of dough. It worked! Over half the marshmallows were gooey, the rest disappeared. I’ll try whole marshmallows next time.
Thanks for the recipe!
These are great. I love the graham cracker texture in the cookie base.
These are the best thing I’ve ever eaten!! I added a few mini marshmallows as well.
I made these decadent bars for a family celebration today and they were a grand success! Thanks for another crowd-pleasing recipe.
Do these freeze well?
Hi Kathy, I haven’t tried freezing them, so I’m not sure. The marshmallows might get a bit funny out of the freezer (and the grahams on top might soften), but it’s worth experimenting.
Can this recipe be doubled for a sheet pan?
Yes
Do you think this can be doubled and baked in a 9×13?
The recipe already makes a 9×13 pan without doubling 🙂
So good! This is my go-to recipe when I want something absolutely delicious and that always impresses everyone!
These are absolutely my favorite s’mores dessert!! I’ve made the multiple times and they are always a major hit. Just wanted to say thanks for combining all my favorite things into such a ridiculously tasty cookie bar!
Thanks, Allison!
I am making these for a fundraiser but want to make them a few days early. Do you think they will keep well in the fridge if made Wednesday night and served Saturday night?
That far in advance, I’d probably freeze them.
While two of my boys were at camp, I made these with the one boy I had at home. He has declared this to be the best desert ever. I have never had Marshmallow fluff, so I was hesitant but Wow. I halved the recipe for the 5 of us and we each had two squares. It was a sweet and decadent treat that we all loved.
Yay! So happy to hear this, Sheila!
Try it on a peanut butter sandwich…. it’s life changing.
I’ve made these multiple time. They always turn out great & someone always asks for the recipe. Thanks again Mel you crush it every single time.
Thank you!
I was hesitant to make these, cause I don’t care for S’mores…but these were phenomenal and way too addicting!
The BEST s’mores recipe ever! Everyone loves them.
These are delicious. To make them even more s’mores-ey, decorate the top with bits of a broken Hershey bar while the bars are warm–extra decadent!
Mel,,,This sounds like a receipt my mother use to make,,,,but without the marshmallow cream,,,they had a soft , almost like a crumbly cookie dough,,, I’m going to make these today and see how close they are…Will let you know.
Thanks Douglas
I made these for a dinner with friends and they were a huge hit! Your detailed recipes always give me the confidence I need to try a new recipe. Thanks!
So how would you go about freezing these?
I bake them, let them cool, cut them into bars and store in freezer bags or lidded containers.
I have made these bars several times for farmers market and for fundraising High School projects and they are the firsts bars that go! Thank you so much for this recipe!!
Hi Mel! I am planning to make these for a cookout. Do you prefer milk or semi sweet chips in them?
I always use semisweet. 🙂
These were good, maybe a little dry like a cake…
Mel, do you have a good rocky road cookie recipe. I couldn’t find one on your website, so I ventured in the deep dark world of the internet and found one that failed miserably….My family would be ever so happy if you could blog this recipe!
Oh darn! Sadly, I don’t think I do have a good rocky road cookie recipe. Sorry!
Dang girl!! These were amazing!! I made them on Sunday and we enjoyed some and gave some to neighbors before we ate the whole pan. Not even 48 hours later, my husband asked me to make them again–on a Tuesday night!! For no reason!! Major thumbs up. A new family favorite. Thank you!!
These are so good, thanks for the recipe!
Made these today, followed the recipe exactly, and they are BEYOND perfect! These will be my go-to party treat from now on!
Brought these to a church picnic today and it never fails….someone takes a bite and almost faints, these are so good! Thanks for a wonderful recipe. It’s one of my favorites to bake and take!
How do you reccomend storing these overnight? Do you leave them uncut in the pan and cover with plastic wrap in the oven, or do you cut them and store them in a container in the fridge?
If I’m not cutting them until the next day, I cover the pan in plastic wrap and leave at room temperature. If they’ve been cut and put on a tray, I cover with plastic wrap (or keep them in a covered tupperware-type container) and store at room temp (for up to 4 hours or so) and in the fridge if storing them longer.
These are my ‘go to’ bar. Whenever I have a party or attend a party I always make these. Everyone always loves them! Thanks for the recipe, Mel.
I made these and your lemonies for a party this weekend and both were a hit! Both recipes were super simple and easy to follow. I will say if you like sweet things (and chocolate) the smores bars are delicious. I did have a few friends though who thought the smores bars were too sweet/rich but all of those folks loved the lemonies which were nice and bright and perfectly bite-sized. After years of lurking on Mel’s website this was the first time I actually made something instead of just drooling on my keyboard and I don’t know what took me so long. Thanks Mel!
Thanks, Sam!
These are the weight measurements I use, and they work perfectly: flour (9 oz), graham crackers (15 whole crackers = 8 oz.), brown sugar (10.5 oz), marshmallow fluff (7 oz. jar). I prefer baking with weights, and I’m glad that many of your newer recipes include them! 🙂
I made these for th 4th this year and they were so delicious, once cut though they did no hold their shape well, must have done something a little off ha
Yum! Just made this tonight for 4th of July. Pretty good. About 4 stars. Miss the burnt marshmellow flavor. Halved recipe & baked in 8×8 pan. Good with vanilla ice cream.
Thank you so much for featuring these on your 4th of July menu ideas! I have no idea how these have been on your blog for 4 years without me noticing, but I’m glad to have discovered them! I made them for our family picnic today, and they were amazing. My family thinks I’m an awesome baker, I think it’s because I have a source of great recipes- YOU! 🙂 Thanks again!
Can I halve this recipe & put into an 8×8 dish??
I haven’t tried that but I think it should work pretty well.
I made these last night for a trial run (as I was planning on making for our VBS family night next week) and have been getting major high-fives around the office today! I’ll be making a few pans to bring as to not have to deal with 30 kids, roasting sticks, and a bonfire! GREAT recipe!
I made these bars for an empty nester family home evening group, and wow! They were the hit of the party! So. Good. What is the best way to get the marshmallow fluff out of the jar? I had a very sticky mess! And, how do I spread it over the cookie base without it making another huge mess? Thanks!
Janette – Using a spoon or spatula lightly greased with cooking spray can help with the mess but it will probably be a little sticky no matter what. 🙂
I am horrible at baking and was tasked to bring a dessert to a dinner! I made these and they were DELICIOUS!!! Everyone gobbled them up. The best part.. It was easy! I’m going to make more and freeze them for myself. 🙂
Has anyone ever tried freezing these bars? I haven’t worked with marshmallow creme before, and wondered if would do weird things after thawing.
Hi Cindy, these bars freeze great!
Hi, Mel. You must have been reading my mind … I was looking for a s’more bar recipe! Do you crush your graham crackers or do you buy the stuff in a bag already crushed? I’m sure it doesn’t make a difference, but just wondering. Thanks!
I just tossed graham crackers in my Blentec- so easy. OMG – these are the best s’more bars ever. I tried many different recipes and these are my favorite. And I love that are made in a 9×13 pan so there are plenty of bars to bring to a party. Fabulous, Mel!
Dee – I am glad it worked out for you. I always crush my own since I never have the precrushed on hand.
When you made it w/ real Marshmallows, did you have a cookie topping to “protect” it from burning? I’m wondering if I can scatter it on top at the end as I can’t find fluff here.
MyThy as in “mighty” – when I made it with real marshmallows, it didn’t turn out so I can’t give a good recommendation. I made it according to the recipe but used marshmallows in place of the fluff (there is a bit of topping to help cover) but the marshmallows all dissolved while baking.
Made these for my sister’s bridal shower and they were such a big hit! I did half graham and half chocolate graham. Heated up leftovers and served with vanilla ice cream. 🙂 Will definitely make this one again!
Mel- I made these for a 4th of July get together yesterday and the family went nuts over them- so delicious, gooey, and soft! Everyone wanted to recipe, so you should have some new visitors here. Thanks so much for all your work providing tasty recipes and great explanations!
Made them twice once your recipe and the once my way … which is I added 1 cup of butter scotch chips and 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips….was amazing. Thank you for the great recipe.
I took a bite of these babies after they cooled down a bit and I thought to myself, “Holy crap these are delicious!!” Took them to a church activity today and several people asked me for the recipe, you are a dang genius Mel!
Oh my gosh. These are so good. I came across them one night and almost had a heart attack….a little sandwich shop by my house sells “bites” and one is the campfire. I loved them and couldnt believe it when I saw this recipe. These are even better! These beat real s’mores hands down…of course, since they have butter in them, right? Butter makes everything better. These really are delightful. My husband put them in his top ten. They are rich and just super tasty. I do think next time I make them I will put a little more than half the dough opinion the base. I felt like I had a little too much dough on top they still turned out yummy. Thanks mel! You are the woman!
Wow, these are gorgeous! They look delicious! I’ll definitely need to try this recipe myself.
I hope you’re enjoying that sweet baby girl.
I made these today for my guys to take on their father and sons campout this weekend. They turned out so yummy and are the perfect camping treat. Thanks for the recipe, the graham cracker base is delicious.
I made this to take to a friends house and we all loved it. I am definitely making these again!
My 7 year old picked these for the family night treat last night. I’m not a huge marshmallow fan, so I wasn’t sure if I would like them. Oh my gosh. They are amazing!! We all loved them. I had to hide them today so I wouldn’t eat all the leftovers. Thanks for another fabulous recipe Mel!
My friend made these last night and I was the lucky one who got to eat them. YUM. I just wished I had the whole pan to myself instead of sharing with all of the munchkins. I can’t wait to make them myself! Thanks, Mel.
These are insanely good. And the bonus, I always have the ingredients for them in my pantry/freezer. Marshmallow creme or Mazetta as it’s called by candy makers can be made at home. Super simple. Sugar, water,corn syrup and egg whites. One batch makes enough for the recipe with extra for spooning into hot chocolate (or directly into mouths as my kids prefer). I’m away from my recipe but I’ll post it.
I like to make my own marshmallow and marshmallow creme but since I have t made this recipe I wondered if it would work, since Mel didn’t have success with regular marshmallows. Can you share if the bars worked with your homemade creme?
Oh my goodness! These are absolutely amazing!!! I am so happy I found your blog… website? Anyways, these were fantastic. However, they are so great, I will only make them when I am taking them somewhere- out of the house- because I would be tempted far beyond what my self-control can handle.
Thank you for a great recipe!
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. Made these tonight for our family and we couldn’t eat enough. I am stuffed and on a serious sugar high right now! They are heavenly. My kids think I’m the awesomest mom alive for making the best dessert ever:)
And whats up with the above commenter-mean! Geesh. Some people always gotta hate.
I made these yesterday and took them to a pitch-in. They look impressive and were inhaled in short order. I did have to taste one myself and thought they were OK despite the fact that they had marshmallow in them (which I don’t like). I thought they tasted more like a chocolate chip cookie bar than a s’more. That being said, next time I’ll just make the basic cookie bar. This was not a budget friendly (I found you through a link from moneysavingmom.com). Plus, I couldn’t even taste the graham crackers.
I’m a pretty picky cook and I ALWAYS adjust recipes. Even yours. 🙂 (No offense, I’m a compulsive cook and tend to just do that.) However, this is one recipe I didn’t adjust one tiny bit. They turned out better than I thought they would – I kind of thought it’d be a knock-off for a chocolate chip cookie bar. But right out of the oven these things are pretty dang magical. I am serving them tonight at a baby shower.
Thanks!
i’d totally skewer one of these and make it soft over an open flame. it ain’t a s’more until fire is involved. 🙂
Nevermind. My pregnant brain read the chocolate chips part wrong. I get it now. Sorry. 🙂
When do you add the milk?
So so good!! Thanks for another awesome recipe!
My 8 year old son plays football and has to be careful through the week to make weight. So after the game, he gets to pick a special treat for me to make. This was his pick and they were a hit with the whole family. I put a few aside for school lunches because I knew they wouldn’t last the weekend otherwise.
Hey Mel! Made these today, so good! I subbed in crumbled up Hershey bars for the chocolate chips so give them a little bit more authentic Smore taste…divine! You have never steered me wrong in the kitchen, thanks for all your great recipes!!!
I made these last night and they were very tasty. I forgot the vanilla though. I think it got left out of the directions part of the recipe 🙂
I made these yesterday and the whole family loved them! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
These were great! My kids especially loved them. My 4 year old asked if he could take the rest of them outside to share with the neighbors, and I admit to cringing for a moment because I wanted to eat them myself. =) I opted to encourage his giving spirit and let him share…so I better make another batch soon for me!
These look fabulous! I really wish my husband wasn’t off sugar so I could make these.
i look at cooking blogs comment sections to see if other people besides the person who posted the recipe actually think it tasted good, not just that it looks good and that you are planning on making them. let me tell you, made these yesterday for a bbq and everyone RAVED. they came together really quickly, my 2 year old couldn’t stop eating the graham cracker dough, and even my friends husband who “doesn’t like sweets” couldn’t stop eating them! highly recommend!!!
Oh my, these look AMAZING! I love S’mores (who doesn’t?), and making them in a bar form looks like perfect party food to me! Your photos are stunning, Mel!
We had a serious Melanie Gunnel night over here tonight. We had crispy chicken, herb roasted potatoes, the best drop biscuits, your strawberry lemonade, and these smore bars. We were supposed to have the ‘make ahead green bean casserole’ but I didn’t have enough time to cook them as I was back to back cooking in my oven as it was with all the above mentioned things. Isn’t that nuts? I mean really, I had about 10 different tabs open on the ipad going from one to the other cooking up a storm. And every single thing I made today was off your cute blog. I still look at this dang blog very very regularly and love it. Thank you for all your yummy recipes!
The chicken was awesome! The drop biscuits were SO good! The herb potatoes are a family favorite now and never fail. The smore bars were the best thing I’ve eaten in quite awhile, and the lemonade was made from bottled lemon juice as I didn’t have any fresh lemons. Yeah that’s right, bottled. You know, the one in the green bottle you keep in your fridge (well you probably don’t. I’m sure you’ve found a way to harvest your own lemon patch with the amount of lemon you use:), but the rest of us usually have a bottle of it on hand). Needless to say my lemonade didn’t turn out quite like I’m thinking it would have if I would have used actual lemons:).
THANKS cute Melanie! My family consistently benefits from your cooking.
Haha!!!! I have to crack because look at my last posting on my recipe blog!!! Slightly different recipes, but the same thing : ) We are on the same wave link, I think!! I will be trying yours to see which I like better!!!
http://twinnersrecipeblog.blogspot.com/
I really need to stop reading your blog. You’re dangerous to a woman who’s trying not to do better with her consumption of sugar.
But really I think you’re awesome and I thank you for helping me with my sugar cravings when I need them ;).
Oh, and I’m totally going to keep reading your blog.
I made these today for my family and we LOVED them! I loved that you could taste the graham crackers and it wasn’t just the usual chocolate chip cookie bar taste. thanks for a great recipe.
I made these this evening, and LOVE them. Not too sweet, nice mix of graham crackers, marshmallow and chocolate.
OH MY GOSH! When I think of “bars” I think hard, thick, crunchy, dry…so I have NEVER made ANY bars….UNTIL NOW, that is. These are absolutely divine!!! I am simply speechless! Thank you for showing me that bars can be moist, chewy, and splendid!!
I made these yesterday. They’re long gone now, they were great. I used only half the butter called for and they still turned out wonderfully. Thanks for sharing.
Ditto all the above comments, this looks so yummy that I want to make it before the weekend is over. And, this will be a great send-off as we see the end of the summer weather. I think I will also make it for a potluck next week – everyone will want the recipe (adults want their s’mores fix too!). Thanks for posting this, love all the cookies and bar recipes you share.
I love all the s’more cookie variations that are going around and your bars are not an exception!
These look addicting! I’d eat them all in one sitting.
I read your recipes religiously but rarely (if ever) post. Just wanted to tell you I absolutely love your site. And This is making me want to go buy some fluff NOW!!!! (maybe I can talk my DH into it…)
Keep up the good work!
That’s funny. I did the exact same thing with this exact same recipe. Notsogood. I bought some fluff shortly thereafter to try and they haven’t been made yet. Thanks for the reminder!
Can’t. Wait. To. Try. These!!!! Yumm!
I have hate but half love you 🙂 (actually more love, dont worry!) These look absolutely divine, if only marshmallow fluff was readily available to me in my little welsh town…when im back at uni in the big city I know exactly what i need to buy! 🙂
You know it is meant to be when you are craving a special combination of flavors and the email smiles at you and says, Mel has found it and given you the recipe.
Thanks for supplying me with today’s after school treat, after all it is Friday and Graham crackers are healthy… right??
Is it good to use parchment paper instead of tinfoil?
You can use either (each has their pros and cons).
WOW, these are going on the MUST try list!
These sound amazing! This will have to be my next recipe to try.
Laura D, Just by the size of the jar, I think it’s pretty close to 2 cups—maybe a tad more or less, but not much.
I am OBSESSED with S’mores!!! In fact I even did a S’mores themed week on my blog and I wished I had had this recipe then because it looks to die for. Oh well I guess I will just have to have S’mores week again! : )
Mel – or anyone else – do you know how many cups are in a jar of Kraft Marshmallow creme? I was planning to make a different smores bar recipe this weekend (for a 9 inch square pan), but these look better! I have one jar of marshmallow creme, but could stop on the way home for another. Perfect bars to wrap up the summer!
Laura – that’s a good question! It depends, probably, on the size of jar. I’ve seen both small and large. I have the larger size (13 oz) in my pantry and while I haven’t ever officially measured, I’m guessing there is at least 2 1/2 to 3 cups in there.
I am going to try these this weekend — looks like a perfect treat to take to a Scouting Court of Honor. I even already have ALL the ingredients on hand. I’ve been watching various s’mores-inspired recipes make the rounds on the food blogs lately, but nothing really seemed like what I was looking for until this one! Thanks!
These look so dangerously good! Wow! Can’t wait to try!
Thank you for cautioning against subbing in mini-marshmallows. I’ve always been a little frightened of marshmallow fluff, so I would probably have gone with the mini-marshmallows had you not said anything. This recipe is definitely motivating me to overcome that fear!
These look like so much fun! Great recipe.