S’mores Bars

One of the best things about sitting around a campfire is the inevitable roasting of marshmallows and the subsequent ritual of sandwiching them between two graham crackers and half a chocolate candy bar. Gooey, melty, chocolaty and sticky sweet, s’mores truly are the ultimate summertime treat.

Although the combination of marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers has been around for many years, we can thank the Girl Scouts for creating the first known recipe for these sweet treats. In their 1927 guide book called Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts, the Girls Scouts published a recipe for “Some More,” and though the name has changed a bit, the recipe has remained unaltered for nearly 100 years.

This chocolaty s’mores bars recipe re-creates the flavor combinations of the time-honored treat without making a fire or sharpening sticks. Golden Graham s’more bars are so quick and effortless to make. If you can melt butter, you can make this chocolaty s’mores bar recipe for your next picnic or party.

Or, since they take only 15 minutes, let your kids run the show and allow them to whip up a batch when they have a friend or two over. Whenever you choose to make them, everyone lucky enough to get a bite will be very happy you made that decision.

Ingredients for S’mores Bars

• Butter: Real unsalted butter combines the ingredients and gives the dessert a slightly buttery hint of flavor. Considering whether or not to substitute margarine for butter? You should know that margarine has a higher water content than real butter and, therefore, using it may result in softer, less crispy bars.
• Marshmallows: Soft, fluffy and sweet with hints of vanilla, marshmallows provide the traditional flavor profile of s’mores. For this Golden Graham s’mores bars recipe, the marshmallows are melted down to become the gooey binder that holds the bars together.
• Cereal: Golden Grahams cereal, or a similar graham cracker-flavored cereal, adds the crunchy texture and brown sugar and honey flavor of the traditional crackers.
• Chocolate chips: Use milk chocolate chips to maintain the flavor of conventional s’mores. The best chocolate chips are melted in this s’mores bar Golden Grahams recipe before being drizzled over the top of the bars.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the s’mores

Heat the butter in a large saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in the marshmallows and continue to cook, stirring regularly, until melted and incorporated with the butter. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the cereal, stirring to thoroughly combine the ingredients.

Step 2: Make the bars

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Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with butter or light cooking spray. Using a buttered rubber spatula, press the s’mores mixture into the pan, making sure to create an even layer. Drizzle with melted chocolate and allow to cool completely. Slice the chocolaty Golden Graham s’mores bars into squares, then sit back and watch how quickly they get devoured.

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S’mores Bar Variations

• Make them peanut buttery: Add 1/4 cup peanut butter to the melted marshmallows and stir a handful of chopped peanuts or mini peanut butter cups into the cereal.
• Try s’mores bar s’mores: Slice one of the bars lengthwise and use it in place of a graham cracker to make a traditional campfire s’more. Sound overly decadent? It is.
• Share s’mores bar sandwiches: To really spoil your family or friends, make chocolaty s’mores bar sandwiches by slicing the bars lengthwise and adding a scoop of vanilla or rocky road ice cream. This takes the s’mores bar recipe to a whole new level.

How to Store S’mores Bars

Leftovers can be placed into a covered airtight container and left on the counter for three to four days. They can also be keep in the refrigerator, but will be stiffer when cold.

Can you freeze s’mores bars?

You can. Wrap the bars in storage wrap and place them in a freezer bag, removing excess air. The bars can be frozen for up to four months. When ready to use, remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw at room temperature.

S’mores Bar Tips

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Can these bars be made gluten-free?

They definitely can. You’ll need to substitute the graham cracker cereal with a gluten-free alternative. Fortunately, several varieties are available, but you may need to visit to a specialty food market or order online. If you don’t find a gluten-free version at your local market, you can substitute the graham cracker cereal with Honey Nut Chex for similar taste and texture.

How do I melt the chocolate?

Chocolate chips can easily be melted in the microwave in stages. Using a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir the chocolate chips and heat again for 20 seconds. Remove, stir and place back in the microwave for 15 more seconds, followed by more stirring. Continue to heat and stir in 15-second intervals until the chocolate is smooth and melted.

Do I need to melt the chocolate?

If you’d like to save yourself a step, you do not need to melt the chocolate. The melted and drizzled chocolate does imitate the texture of s’mores more accurately, but it’s not necessary. You can simply add the whole chocolate chips to the cereal and combine.