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S’mores Bars Recipe

Oh, you’re in for a real treat with this S’mores Bars Recipe! It takes that classic campfire favorite — gooey marshmallows, melty chocolate, and crunchy graham crackers — and turns it into a handheld bar you can enjoy anytime, no fire needed. I love whipping these up when I want something sweet and nostalgic but quick and easy to make for friends or family.

What I really appreciate about this S’mores Bars Recipe is how versatile it is. Whether you’re making it for a summer get-together, a cozy winter night, or just a fun weekend snack, it always hits the spot. Plus, it’s straightforward enough that even if you’re not a baking whiz, you’ll come out with a crowd-pleaser every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Perfect Crunch and Gooeyness: The graham cracker crust bakes up crisp while the chocolate and marshmallows stay ooey-gooey.
  • Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of staples, making this recipe super accessible and budget-friendly.
  • Quick to Make: With under 30 minutes total time, it’s a fast way to satisfy your sweet cravings.
  • Customizable: Easy to tweak with different chocolates or add-ins to suit your taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This S’mores Bars Recipe is all about balancing textures and flavors — buttery crust, rich chocolate, and soft marshmallows. When shopping, go for good-quality chocolate bars because that melty, glossy chocolate really makes the bars shine.

  • Graham cracker crumbs: They form the crunchy base and add that signature flavor.
  • Butter (melted): Binds the crumbs into a firm crust and adds richness. Melted makes mixing a breeze.
  • Powdered sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the crust and helps it hold together well.
  • Hershey Chocolate Bars: Classic choice for authentic s’mores flavor; melts perfectly over the crust.
  • Mini marshmallows: For that irresistible gooey topping that browns beautifully under the broiler.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to customize my S’mores Bars Recipe depending on the mood or who I’m serving. You can swap out the classic milk chocolate for dark or even peanut butter chocolate if you want to mix it up. Adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top before broiling marshmallows has become my personal favorite—it takes the sweetness to another level.

  • Variation: Once, I tried adding chopped nuts into the crust for a little crunch surprise, and it was a hit with guests who love texture.
  • Dietary Modification: To make it gluten-free, just use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs — the bars turn out just as delicious.
  • Seasonal Change: For a festive touch, swap mini marshmallows with candy cane pieces or drizzle with caramel for holidays.

Step-by-Step: How I Make S’mores Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep the crust with care

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13 pan with non-stick spray to avoid any sticky situations later. In a bowl, mix your graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and melted butter. It feels a bit loose at first, but firmly press it into the pan’s bottom and sides to create a tightly packed crust. Baking it for just 5-8 minutes lets the edges turn golden and firms it up without overbaking—this is key to that perfect crunch once cooled.

Step 2: Melt chocolate evenly

Once the crust is out and cooled a bit, arrange your Hershey bars over the top, trying to cover all the crust for maximum chocolate goodness. Pop it back in the oven for just about 3 minutes — watch closely! The chocolate should get shiny and just begin to melt. That ensures it won’t ooze out everywhere when you add the marshmallows later.

Step 3: The marshmallow finale

After letting the chocolate cool for a minute or two, spread the mini marshmallows closely packed on top. Now, switch your oven to broil — and here’s the crucial part: keep your eyes glued to the oven. It only takes about 2 minutes for the marshmallows to brown beautifully, but every second counts to avoid burnt, bitter marshmallows. Once they’re golden, pull it out and let everything cool completely. I usually pop the pan in the fridge to firm up and make slicing easier.

Step 4: Slice with ease

Cutting these bars can get sticky, so here’s a pro tip: warm a sharp knife under hot water, wipe it dry, then slice through the bars. Repeat if the knife gets messy. This method keeps your bars looking neat and your patience intact.

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Tips from My Kitchen

  • Broiler Watch: Never walk away during the broil step—marshmallows can go from perfect to burnt in seconds based on your oven.
  • Crust Pressing: Press the crust mixture firmly into the pan to help it hold together and give you clean bar slices.
  • Chocolate Choice: Use quality chocolate bars for better melting and richer flavor—cheap chocolate can be grainy.
  • Cutting Strategy: Clean your knife often while slicing to avoid sticky, crumbly edges and make serving easy.

How to Serve S’mores Bars Recipe

S'mores Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple—sometimes just a light dusting of powdered sugar for a delicate finish, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness. Both add a little extra flair without overpowering the classic s’mores taste.

Side Dishes

Since these bars are pretty rich, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit, like strawberries or apple slices, which give a fresh, tart contrast. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce also plays nicely if you want to make it a real indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthday parties or gatherings, I’ve arranged these bars in a colorful platter with little flags or themed toothpicks for easy grab-and-go treats. At one camping-themed party, I set them out on a rustic wooden board with other campfire snacks for a fun vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover S’mores Bars in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps the marshmallows from getting too soft and the crust crisp. They usually stay tasty for about 3-4 days, though I have to admit they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

Freezing s’mores bars is totally doable — I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to avoid freezer burn. When I want one later, I thaw them overnight in the fridge. The texture remains surprisingly good, just a little less crisp on the crust.

Reheating

If you want to warm up the bars after refrigerating or freezing, I recommend a quick zap in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to soften the chocolate and marshmallows without melting everything into a gooey mess. Alternatively, a few minutes at low oven temperature works well to revive the texture.

FAQs

  1. Can I use other types of chocolate in this S’mores Bars Recipe?

    Absolutely! While classic Hershey bars give that authentic s’mores flavor, you can substitute dark chocolate, milk chocolate chips, or even flavored chocolate bars for a fun twist. Just be mindful that different chocolates melt differently, so keep an eye on your bars while baking.

  2. How do I prevent the marshmallows from burning under the broiler?

    The key is to watch the marshmallows closely and stay by the oven during broiling. They can brown within 2 minutes or less, depending on your broiler’s intensity. When they just start to turn golden, pull them out immediately to avoid any bitter burnt flavors.

  3. Can I make the crust ahead of time?

    You can prepare and bake the crust in advance, then cover it and keep it chilled until you’re ready to add the chocolate and marshmallows. This can save time on busy days and still result in a delicious final bar.

  4. Is this S’mores Bars Recipe gluten-free?

    Traditional graham crackers contain gluten, but you can easily make this recipe gluten-free by swapping for gluten-free graham cracker crumbs. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

This S’mores Bars Recipe is one of those recipes I keep coming back to because it’s effortlessly delightful and brims with comforting flavors. It’s a wonderful way to bring the magic of s’mores indoors without needing a campfire. Trust me, once you make these bars for your family or friends, they’ll be asking for the recipe too — and I promise you’re going to love every sticky, chocolaty bite.

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S’mores Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 16 reviews
  • Author: Caroline
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delicious and easy-to-make S’mores Bars featuring a graham cracker crust, melted chocolate, and toasted marshmallows. Perfect for a fun dessert or snack that captures the classic campfire treat in bar form.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Crust

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 8-12 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Topping

  • 4 Hershey Chocolate Bars (4.4 ounce bars each)
  • 1 package mini marshmallows

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking the crust.
  2. Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly with non-stick butter spray to prevent sticking.
  3. Make Crust Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and melted butter. Mix well using a spoon until evenly combined.
  4. Press Crust: Spread the crust mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Press it down firmly with your fingers to compact it along the bottom and sides for a solid base.
  5. Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the oven for 8 minutes or until the edges become slightly golden brown. This will help it set and harden as it cools.
  6. Cool Crust: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the crust to cool completely before adding the toppings.
  7. Add Chocolate Layer: Lay the Hershey chocolate bars evenly over the cooled crust, covering as much of the surface as possible.
  8. Melt Chocolate: Return the pan to the oven for about 3 minutes, just until the chocolate begins to melt and look shiny.
  9. Cool Slightly: Let the pan cool for 1-2 minutes after removing from the oven.
  10. Add Marshmallows: Evenly distribute the mini marshmallows on top of the melted chocolate, packing them tightly next to each other.
  11. Broil Marshmallows: Set the oven to broil and place the pan under the broiler. Watch carefully for about 2 minutes as the marshmallows toast and brown. Remove immediately once they begin to brown to prevent burning.
  12. Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool fully. For best results and easier cutting, place them in the refrigerator to set further.
  13. Cut and Serve: To cut the bars without sticking, warm a sharp knife under hot water, dry it off, and slice quickly. Repeat warming the knife if it becomes sticky.

Notes

  • Use the full 12 tablespoons of butter if you prefer a richer, firmer crust.
  • Pressing the crust firmly ensures it holds together after baking.
  • Keep a close eye while broiling the marshmallows as they can burn quickly and even catch fire.
  • Chilling the bars after assembly makes cutting easier and cleaner.
  • If the knife sticks while cutting, warming it under hot water and drying it off prevents sticking.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 250 kcal
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg

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