S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe

If you’re anything like me and totally obsessed with that perfect sweet and gooey treat from summertime campfires, then you’re going to love this S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe. It’s everything you want in one bite — crispy, chewy cookie layers hugging melty chocolate and fluffy marshmallow goodness. I promise, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to dessert for feeding a crowd or satisfying that serious sweet tooth. Ready to dive into a really fan-freaking-tastic treat? Let’s get baking!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

This S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe blends classic flavors with trustworthy baking staples, combining graham cracker crumbs right into the dough for depth and using marshmallow fluff for that signature gooey top that doesn’t melt away too fast. Shopping tip? Use good-quality chocolate bars for the best melty richness, and fresh marshmallow fluff if you can find it!

• Butter: I prefer salted butter here; it balances the sweetness nicely, but unsalted works perfectly if that’s what you have.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moistness and that deep caramel flavor that plays perfectly with the graham crackers.
• Granulated Sugar: For some extra sweetness and helps with that slight crisp on the cookie edges.
• Egg: The binder that brings all the cookie dough together smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: The little flavor booster that elevates everything.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie dough, it gives structure and chewiness.
• Graham Crackers (finely crushed): Essential for authentic s’mores flavor and adds a lovely texture twist.
• Salt: Enhances all the other sweet flavors, don’t skip it!
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookie bars rise just enough and get a delicate crumb.
• Hershey Bars: The classic chocolate that melts smoothly without overpowering the marshmallow and cookie layers.
• Marshmallow Fluff: This is the magic gooey layer that holds everything together and gives that campfire s’mores vibe.

Make It Your Way

I love to keep this recipe straightforward, but there’s definitely room for fun personal touches! Whether you want to swap in dark chocolate, add a sprinkle of sea salt on top, or go all-in with mini chocolate chips mixed into the dough, this S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe is super forgiving and sure to please.

• Variation: I once swapped Hershey bars for peanut butter cups — the peanut-buttery richness paired beautifully with the marshmallow fluff. Totally worth trying if you love PB & S’mores.
• Gluten-Free Option: You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend; just be mindful of how the graham cracker crumbs fit into your dietary needs.
• Make it Vegan: Use vegan butter, a flax egg, and dairy-free chocolate bars. Marshmallow fluff is trickier but some brands have vegan versions you can seek out.
• Seasonal Twist: During the holidays, I add a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice into the dough — it gives the bars a cozy, festive vibe.

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

Step 1: Prep and Cream Butter & Sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper — this makes cleanup a breeze. Then cream your softened butter with both brown and granulated sugar until the mixture looks creamy and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. This step is key to a nicely textured cookie base, so don’t rush it. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until just combined.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients with Care

Next, toss in the flour, graham cracker crumbs, salt, and baking soda. Mix gently until the flour disappears but don’t overmix! Overworking your dough can make those bars tough instead of tender — remember, gentle is key here.

Step 3: Form the Layers

Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the parchment-lined pan. Here’s a kitchen trick: remove this parchment (with the dough on it) and pop it in the freezer so it firms up while you clean and re-line the pan with fresh parchment. Then press the remaining dough directly into the pan — it forms a nice top layer that’s easier to handle.

Step 4: Add Chocolate and Marshmallow Fluff

Break up the Hershey bars and scatter them over the chilled bottom dough layer. Then spread the marshmallow fluff evenly on top of the chocolate bars — be gentle so you don’t push the bars out of place. Now, very carefully, flip the chilled top layer of cookie dough over the fluff, creating that genius layered bar. It takes a steady hand, but totally worth it!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake your bars in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes. You should see the edges just starting to turn golden; that means they’re done. The hardest part? Letting them cool completely before slicing — if you cut too soon, the marshmallow and chocolate will ooze everywhere. Trust me, waiting is worth it for that perfect cross section.

How to Serve S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

I like sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt right after baking. It sounds fancy, but the salt really makes the chocolate pop and balances the sweetness. If you want to keep it classic, a light dusting of powdered sugar looks pretty and adds a little extra sweetness on top.

Side Dishes

These bars are sweet and filling, so I often stick to lighter sides like fresh fruit or a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream. A cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee or cocoa rounds out my perfect dessert combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I love serving these bars on a rustic wooden board with extra mini marshmallows and some graham crackers scattered around. Sometimes I even pipe a little extra marshmallow fluff on top using a spoon for a fun twist — kids adore that! It brings a festive campfire vibe indoors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, I store these cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay soft and delicious when properly sealed.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead or save leftovers, wrap bars individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. From my experience, they freeze beautifully for up to 2 months without losing their texture or flavor.

Reheating

To revive that gooey magic after freezing, just warm a bar in the microwave for about 20 seconds or until soft but not melted. This trick restores the marshmallow fluff’s gooey texture and makes it taste freshly baked.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I’m honestly thrilled every time I make this S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe because it brings back memories of bonfires and lazy summer nights but in a perfectly portable and shareable form. It’s sweet, nostalgic, and just plain fun. Give it a try — I’m betting you’ll fall in love with this golden layered treat just like I did. Once you do, I’d love to hear about how you made it your own! Baking’s better when shared, right?

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