If you’ve ever sat around a campfire and dreamed of capturing the gooey, chocolaty magic of s’mores in a single bite, then these S’mores Cookie Bars are about to become your new obsession. This recipe transforms the classic trio of marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers into a dreamy bar that’s simultaneously chewy, crispy, and oh-so-satisfying. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, your family, or just treating yourself, S’mores Cookie Bars make an irresistible dessert that brings cozy nostalgia to your kitchen, no campfire required!

S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of familiar ingredients can come together to create pure dessert bliss. Each ingredient has an important role, from the buttery cookie base to the chocolatey finish. Here’s what you need, along with tips for making these S’mores Cookie Bars extra special:

Butter: Softened unsalted butter is the backbone of the dough, giving it richness and moisture—be sure to bring it to room temperature for easy creaming.
Brown Sugar: Packed light or dark brown sugar adds sweetness and that irresistible chewiness; dark brown sugar brings a deeper caramel note!
Egg: The single large egg binds the dough together, adding structure and just the right touch of richness.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla goes a long way in enhancing the warm, comforting flavors in every bite.
All-Purpose Flour: Spoon and level the flour for accuracy—too much and your cookie bars might be dry.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: These offer that signature s’mores flavor and a delicate crunch; about 8 whole graham crackers crushed will do the trick.
Baking Powder: Just a half teaspoon gives the bars a subtle lift, ensuring they’re never stodgy.
Salt: A pinch brings all the flavors into perfect balance—don’t skip it!
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The melty chocolate heart of the bars; semi-sweet keeps things from being overly sweet.
Marshmallow Creme: Store-bought “Fluff” or homemade marshmallow creme forms the gooey center you know and love (it’s sticky, but worth it)!

How to Make S’mores Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by lining an 8 or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a generous overhang on the sides. This makes it super easy to lift the finished bars out—trust me, you’ll thank yourself later! Preheat your oven to 350°F so it’s ready to go when your dough is prepped.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a big mixing bowl, grab your mixer and beat together the softened butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes. You’re aiming for a light, fluffy mixture that will make the bars beautifully tender. Add the egg and vanilla, then beat until everything’s smoothly incorporated—even if the mixture looks slightly curdled, don’t stress, that’s perfectly normal here.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt. This combo forms the backbone of your S’mores Cookie Bars, giving them structure, that telltale graham flavor, and just a hint of crunch.

Step 4: Combine and Layer

Pour your dry ingredients into the butter mixture and beat on medium until everything’s just combined. The dough will be sticky—perfect! Press about two-thirds of this dough into your prepared pan as evenly as you can. Next, spread the marshmallow creme over the dough. It’s sticky, but do your best to get an even layer. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly on top. Use the rest of your dough to form little patches and place them over the chocolate chips. Don’t worry if there are gaps—beautiful, gooey marshmallow peeking through is part of the charm!

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pop your pan into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is a lovely golden brown. Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack before using the parchment sling to lift the bars out. This ensures perfect, clean cuts and keeps all that marshmallow goodness intact.

Step 6: Slice and Enjoy!

Once cooled, grab the parchment overhang and lift the S’mores Cookie Bars onto a cutting board. Cut into neat squares (or big, rustic slabs if that’s your vibe) and get ready for rave reviews.

How to Serve S’mores Cookie Bars

Garnishes

These bars are stunning on their own, but if you want to get fancy, dust them with crushed graham crackers, drizzle a bit of melted chocolate on top, or add a few toasted marshmallow bits for dramatic effect. Sometimes, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt really amps up that sweet-meets-salty note that people love.

Side Dishes

S’mores Cookie Bars pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk or even a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream for a dreamy, summertime treat. For grown-ups, try a cup of strong coffee, a rich hot chocolate, or even a sweet dessert wine on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve these at summer parties stacked tall on a platter, tuck mini bars into a picnic basket, or wrap them up for lunchbox surprises. Try cutting S’mores Cookie Bars into bite-sized pieces for a treat tray or layering them with whipped cream and berries for an easy trifle. They’re just as ideal at a backyard barbecue as they are at your next cozy movie night in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover bars tightly and keep them at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week—which is perfect for make-ahead snacking and dessert emergencies!

Freezing

If you’re planning ahead (or hiding a few for yourself), S’mores Cookie Bars freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then store them in a sealed bag or container. They’ll keep for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

For that just-baked texture, pop a bar in the microwave for about 10 seconds. The marshmallow goes delightfully gooey and the chocolate gets a bit melty—blissful! Don’t overheat, though, or you risk drying out the cookie base.

FAQs

Can I use homemade marshmallow instead of marshmallow creme?

Absolutely! Homemade marshmallow creme works wonderfully, though the consistency might be a touch thicker or fluffier than store-bought. Just use about 1 cup and spread as evenly as possible.

What can I use if I don’t have graham crackers?

If graham crackers are hard to find, try using digestive biscuits or even vanilla wafer cookies. Just ensure you grind them into fine crumbs for that signature texture and flavor in your S’mores Cookie Bars.

Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes, you can! Just use a 9×13-inch pan and double all the ingredients. Keep a close eye on the baking time—it may need a few extra minutes to turn golden and set in the center.

Are there any fun additions I can try?

Feel free to mix in chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even sprinkle a handful of butterscotch chips along with the chocolate. A dash of cinnamon in the dough can add a fun twist, too!

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour and use gluten-free graham crackers. The result will be just as delicious and chewy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving cozy campfire vibes without ever lighting a match, S’mores Cookie Bars deliver all the nostalgic flavors you love in a simple, shareable form. Bake up a batch and watch them disappear—they really are impossible to resist!

S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 10 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These S’mores Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on the classic campfire treat. A buttery graham cracker cookie base is layered with sweet marshmallow creme and chocolate chips, creating a gooey and irresistible dessert.

Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a square baking pan with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt.
Combine wet and dry: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
Layer the bars: Press 2/3 of the dough into the pan. Top with marshmallow creme, chocolate chips, and remaining dough pieces.
Bake and cool: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Serve: Lift the bars out using the parchment paper, cut into squares, and enjoy!

Notes

You can customize these bars by adding nuts, coconut, or other mix-ins to the layers.
For easier slicing, chill the bars in the refrigerator before cutting.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American