This s’mores bar recipe bakes graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow together to create your favorite summer treat, no campfire required.
Who loves s’mores? They are a huge hit in our house. The kids, and the adults go crazy for the delectable flavor combo of chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers.
But we can’t always get the fire pit going and we don’t want to wait until we can get out camping to enjoy this favorite treat. So I created this delicious s’mores bar recipe that we can enjoy any time of year.
I love that these are so simple to make. Bar recipes usually are. No worries about individual portions or worrying about spread and rise like you do with cookies.
These are literally everything you love about s’mores all in a neat little bar that is easily transportable. So you can enjoy them just about anywhere.
smores bars
Here are some commonly asked questions
What is the best way to store leftover s’mores bars?
Place any extra bars in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you live in a hotter climate, you might want to refrigerate them until ready to serve again. Just microwave for a few seconds to warm them up again.
Can s’mores bars be frozen?
Yes, I do it often. Place the bars in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Then microwave for about 15 seconds to reheat.
smores bake
Variations for S’mores Bars
- Peanut Butter – top with peanut butter chips or peanut butter candy.
- Christmas – use mint chocolate chip or add holiday M&M’s.
- Cookies – crush a few of your favorite cookies to mix in and sprinkle on top instead of using graham crackers.
- Chocolate – use a variety of chocolate chips, semi-sweet, white chocolate, dark chocolate – whatever you like.
How to soften the butter to room temperature?
First
There are a couple of ways to do this. The first being that you can take the butter (& any other ingredients that need to be at room temperature) out, leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes while you prep for baking.
I usually start with all my chilled ingredients and pull everything I need out onto the counter before getting started – so I know for sure I have everything before I’m mid-way through I realize I’m out of something.
But sometimes it’s winter and that isn’t enough time to get the ingredients warmed up – OR – I’m just not that organized to plan ahead. It happens. So I have another couple of tricks.
Second
I place the butter in the microwave – wrapped in the paper. (don’t do this if it is wrapped in foil) Then I microwave for 2 seconds – flip – go another 2 seconds – flip again – and continue for 2 seconds on each side.
This is usually enough to get it perfect – sometimes stopping before if it feels soft enough. Take care when doing this method – overly softened butter from the microwave WILL ALTER the end result of the recipe. Don’t over-do it.
Third
My third method is to place the wrapped butter sticks in a zip-top bag and place it in a bowl of warm water. I do this with the eggs too. If the water isn’t too hot it can be THE PERFECT way to get “room-temperature” ingredients.
smores bar
What other easy treats do you recommend?
We REALLY love easy treats in this house. So it’s no surprise that I have a ton of recipes that fall into that category. Here is a short list of some of our family favorites that we make again and again.
- Skinny Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Banana Caramel Ice Box Cake
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- S’mores Brownies
Why do the ingredients need to be at room temperature?
Room temperature ingredients help to ensure that everything blends together perfectly. You don’t want any pockets of unblended cream cheese or butter. You want everything evenly disbursed for the perfect baked good texture.
smores ideas
HOW DO YOU MAKE S’MORES BARS?
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 9×9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until smooth.
- Add the brown sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and mix until well combined.
- Fold in the graham cracker crumbs, about ¾ cup chocolate chips, and about ¾ cup of marshmallows.
- Spread evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Break the chocolate bars into pieces and add them to the top of the batter, then sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips and marshmallows.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Remove from the pan and cut into squares.
- Store in an airtight container.
What is the best way to cut the bars?
There are a number of ways to get the best cuts when it comes to portioning out the bars – check out my tips below.
- Use a hot knife, wiping clean after each cut.
- Use a plastic knife – this is my favorite. Not sure why, but they work better.
- Make sure the bars are completely cooled after baking.
- If the decorations allow, (meaning they won’t be ruined by refrigeration) – chilling the bars always makes it so much easier to cut them cleanly.
easy smores bars
Ingredients for S’mores Bars
- unsalted butter
- brown sugar packed
- vanilla extract
- eggs- room temperature
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- graham cracker crumbs
- chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows
- chocolate bars
Serving, optional
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate bars
Why do you add vanilla extract?
Vanilla extract is a common flavoring found in a good portion of cookie and baked good recipes and really, many other types of recipes too. It adds a certain depth to the flavor of the cookie that extends beyond a more “bready” taste.
Can I use a vanilla substitute instead of vanilla extract?
Yes. Vanilla essence does not provide quite the same flavor as regular vanilla extract. However, it is a good alternative.
baked smores
Special Notes/ Expert Tips
- Add additional marshmallows to each piece and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, or in the oven at 400 degrees F for about 5 minutes, watching closely.
- To brown the marshmallows, use a kitchen torch, if desired.
- Add additional pieces of chocolate bar.
- For the marshmallow layer – you can either sprinkle or dump them on, or you can place them perfectly inline – depending on your preference
- Toasting – the marshmallows can burn quickly – keep a close eye on them before they get overly brown.
- Cutting – use a hot, sharp knife to cut nice clean edges
Should I use light or dark brown sugar?
Since I make my own brown sugar, I use light brown sugar for almost all of my recipes. But light or dark brown sugar will work in this recipe.
Want to know how to make your own brown sugar – visit my Homemade Brown Sugar post here.
smores bar recipes
Why is this recipe so great?
- Easy to make
- Better than a campfire because you can have them year-round
- Easily adaptable – adding as much or as little of your favorite ingredient
- Great for bake sales, holiday gatherings, class parties
How do I properly measure the flour?
The official way is to spoon the flour into the measuring cup & level off. This makes sure the flour isn’t packed tightly into your measuring cup, adding more than you need, as that will make your recipe too dry.
However – if you fluff your flour with a spoon, then gently scoop the flour into the measuring cup, taking care to not pack the flour – that should work for this recipe.
Can I use a gluten-free flour?
I’m not sure just yet. I have been meaning to give this a try but haven’t had a chance. If you do try this, I would recommend using a 1:1 flour like this one as I don’t believe it would require additional ingredients that are typically called for when trying to make baked recipes in a gluten-free version. Please come back & tell me how it turned out.
oven smores bars
Products I love when making this s’mores bars recipe…
This s’mores bar recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made baked s’mores before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this treat recipe.
- brown sugar
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- graham cracker crumbs
- chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows
- chocolate bars
- 9×9 pan
- parchment paper
- kitchen torch
- mixing bowls
- dry – measuring cups
- wet – measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- spatula
- serving spatula
baked smores bars
If you love this Easy S’mores Bar recipe, you’re going to love these other treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
If you love this recipe for S’mores Bars as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!
CONNECT WITH YUMMI HAUS!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
S’mores Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter – softened 1 stick
- ⅔ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 2-3 chocolate bars
Serving, optional
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate bars
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 9×9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until smooth.
- Add the brown sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and mix until well combined.
- Fold in the graham cracker crumbs, about ¾ cup chocolate chips, and about ¾ cup of marshmallows.
- Spread evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Break the chocolate bars into pieces and add them to the top of the batter, then sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips and marshmallows.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Remove from the pan and cut into squares.
- Store in an airtight container.