Oh my goodness, let me tell you about the joy of making *smores cookie bars*! They’re like a warm hug on a plate, bringing together those classic flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers in the chewiest cookie form you can imagine. The moment you pull them out of the oven, your kitchen fills with the heavenly aroma of melting chocolate and toasty marshmallows, and trust me, it’s hard to resist sneaking a bite before they even cool! Each bar has that perfect balance of gooey sweetness and buttery richness, with a delightful crunch from the graham crackers. Honestly, they’re perfect for sharing with friends or just indulging on your own—no judgment here! So, grab your apron, and let’s dive into this delicious adventure together!
Ingredients List
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: This is the foundation of our cookie bars, giving them that rich, buttery flavor. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming!
- 1 cup brown sugar: This will add a lovely depth of sweetness and moisture to the bars, thanks to the molasses content.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: For that perfect sweetness and a little crispiness on the edges of our bars.
- 2 large eggs: They help bind everything together, giving our cookie bars that classic chewy texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Trust me, this elevates the flavor; it’s like a secret hug of warmth in every bite!
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base that holds everything together. Don’t skip on measuring it properly; too much flour can lead to dry bars.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps our bars rise just enough to stay soft and chewy.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance all those flavors.
- 1 cup chocolate chips: Because, really, who can say no to chocolate? Go for semi-sweet or milk chocolate based on your preference!
- 1 cup mini marshmallows: These little guys provide that gooey, dreamy texture we all love about s’mores.
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers: The classic ingredient that brings that crunchy, slightly sweet flavor to our cookie bars.
How to Prepare *Smores Cookie Bars*
Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step ensures that your cookie bars bake evenly and come out perfectly golden. While the oven warms up, you can start preparing the dough!
Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, grab 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and add in 1 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon, cream them together until it’s all smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. You want it to look light and airy—this is where all that buttery goodness starts!
Add Eggs and Vanilla
Now, it’s time to mix in 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir it all together until well combined. The vanilla really adds that warm, inviting flavor that’s going to make your cookie bars irresistible!
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This step is crucial because it ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the flour, which helps our bars rise beautifully.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this helps keep the cookie bars nice and chewy. You might still see a little bit of flour, and that’s totally okay!
Fold in Add-Ins
Now for the fun part! Gently fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips, 1 cup of mini marshmallows, and 1 cup of crushed graham crackers. This is where all those classic s’mores flavors come together, and trust me, it smells amazing!
Spread and Bake
Spread the dough evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Make sure it’s nice and even so that it bakes uniformly. Pop it in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until it’s golden brown on top. You’ll know it’s done when it smells heavenly and the edges start to pull away from the pan!
Cool and Cut
Once baked, take the pan out of the oven and let the cookie bars cool in the pan for a bit—about 10-15 minutes should do. After they’ve cooled slightly, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they’re cool, cut them into squares and get ready to enjoy the magic you’ve just created!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to prepare: With just 15 minutes of prep time, you’ll have these delicious bars baking in no time!
- Combines classic flavors: The perfect blend of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker makes every bite a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
- Easy to share: They’re cut into perfect squares, making it simple to share with friends, family, or even that neighbor you want to impress!
- Perfect for gatherings: Whether it’s a potluck, a picnic, or just a cozy night in, these cookie bars are always a hit with a crowd!
Nutritional Information
It’s always good to know what you’re indulging in, right? Just remember, these values can vary based on specific ingredients and brands you use, so take them as a general guide. Here’s a typical breakdown per serving (1 bar):
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 2g
So, enjoy your *smores cookie bars* with a little awareness, and savor every gooey, chocolatey bite! You’ve earned it!
FAQ Section
Can I use different types of chocolate in these *smores cookie bars*?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix it up with dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips. Each variation adds a fun twist to the classic flavor!
What can I substitute for graham crackers?
If you don’t have graham crackers on hand, crushed digestive biscuits or even vanilla wafers can work as a tasty alternative. They’ll still bring that lovely crunch and sweetness!
How do I store leftover *smores cookie bars*?
Store your cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them! Just wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag for up to two months.
Can I make these cookie bars ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature before spreading it in the pan and baking. Perfect for prepping for parties!
Why are my cookie bars too crumbly?
Oh no! This can happen if you’ve added too much flour or didn’t cream the butter and sugars enough. Make sure to measure your flour accurately and really whip that butter until it’s fluffy for that perfect chewy texture!
Tips for Success
Getting your *smores cookie bars* just right can be a breeze with a few simple tips! Here’s what I’ve learned over the years to make sure they turn out perfectly every time:
- Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before you start. This helps it cream better with the sugars, giving your bars that lovely texture!
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough bars, and nobody wants that!
- Check for Doneness: A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. If it comes out clean, they might be overbaked, so keep an eye on them!
- Cool Completely: Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and makes cutting easier!
- Add a Pinch of Cinnamon: For a little extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dough. It enhances the warmth of the s’mores flavor and is a delightful surprise!
With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be well on your way to creating the most delicious *smores cookie bars* ever. Happy baking!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once you’ve enjoyed your delicious *smores cookie bars*, you’ll want to make sure to store any leftovers properly so they stay just as tasty! To keep them fresh, simply place the bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for about a week, but trust me, they might not last that long because they’re just too irresistible!
If you find yourself with more bars than you can eat in a week, you can also freeze them! Just wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy a bar again, just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, and then let it come to room temperature before diving in.
For a warm treat, you can give them a quick reheat in the microwave! Just pop a bar on a microwave-safe plate and heat it for about 10-15 seconds—it’ll be gooey and delicious, just like when they first came out of the oven. Enjoy every bite!
Smores Cookie Bars: 7 Indulgent Steps to Pure Bliss
- Całkowity Czas: 45 minutes
- Ustępować: 24 bars 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Delicious smores cookie bars that combine the flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers in a chewy cookie form.
Składniki
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers.
- Spread the dough into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
Uwagi
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 30 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 bar
- Kalorie: 220
- Cukier: 18g
- Sód: 150mg
- Kwasy: 10g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 6g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 4g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 30g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Słowa kluczowe: smores cookie bars, dessert, baking, chocolate, marshmallow
