Experience the pure joy of S’mores Cookie Bars – a truly irresistible dessert that captures the essence of a classic campfire treat in a convenient, gooey, and utterly delicious bar form. These delightful bars feature layers of soft, chewy oatmeal cookie, rich melted chocolate, and fluffy, sweet marshmallow creme, all crowned with a crunchy graham cracker and cookie crumb topping. They are marshmallow-filled, chocolate-layered, and graham-cracker oatmeal crumb coated perfection, promising a decadent bite every time.

If you love the S’mores flavor profile, be sure to also try these delicious Golden Grahams® Cereal S’mores Bars or classic S’mores Cookies for more gooey goodness!

Ultimate S’mores Cookie Bars: A Must-Make Treat for All Seasons!

There’s something inherently magical about S’mores. The smoky flavor of toasted marshmallows, the snap of graham crackers, and the melty embrace of chocolate – it’s a nostalgic taste that instantly transports you to summer nights around a crackling bonfire. However, bonfires aren’t always practical or readily available. That’s where these incredible S’mores Cookie Bars come in! They bring all the beloved elements of traditional S’mores right into your kitchen, allowing you to enjoy this iconic dessert any time of year, without the need for an open flame.

These S’mores Cookie Bars are truly one of my favorite recent dessert creations. They ingeniously combine a tender, sweet, and perfectly chewy oatmeal cookie base with generous layers of creamy milk chocolate and irresistibly fluffy marshmallow creme. The result is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will satisfy your deepest S’mores cravings. Every bite offers that signature gooey marshmallow pull, rich chocolate decadence, and a comforting oatmeal-graham cracker crumb, making them an absolute crowd-pleaser for parties, potlucks, or a simple family treat.

Why You’ll Love These Homemade S’mores Bars

These aren’t just any dessert bars; they’re a celebration of flavor and texture, designed to delight. Here’s why these homemade S’mores Cookie Bars are about to become your new favorite:

• Unbeatable Gooeyness: The star of any S’mores, our marshmallow layer becomes perfectly melted and delightfully gooey, creating that signature stretchy texture you crave.
• Rich Chocolate Indulgence: A generous blanket of milk chocolate chips melts into the warm cookie crust, offering a smooth, creamy, and decadent chocolate experience in every bite.
• Chewy Oatmeal Cookie Base: Unlike traditional graham cracker crusts, these bars feature a unique and incredibly delicious soft, chewy oatmeal cookie crust and topping. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor and a satisfying texture that perfectly complements the S’mores elements.
• No Campfire Needed: Enjoy the classic taste of S’mores without the hassle of building a fire. These bars bring the cozy bonfire vibes right to your kitchen.
• Easy to Make: With straightforward instructions and common pantry ingredients, this recipe is accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Perfect for Sharing: Whether for a family gathering, a potluck, or just a treat for friends, these bars are easy to slice and serve, making them ideal for any occasion.

Key Ingredients for S’mores Cookie Bars

Crafting these delectable S’mores Cookie Bars starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect gooey, chewy, and chocolatey balance:

• Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the salt content in your bars, ensuring a balanced flavor profile. Partially melting and then cooling the butter is crucial for the perfect dough consistency, preventing a greasy outcome.
• Light Brown Sugar: This provides a deep, molasses-rich sweetness and contributes to the soft, chewy texture of the oatmeal cookie base. Remember to pack the sugar firmly when measuring to get the correct amount.
• Old Fashioned Oats: These are essential for the characteristic texture of our oatmeal cookie layers. Avoid using quick oats or steel-cut oats, as they absorb liquids differently and will not yield the desired result in this recipe.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie dough, all-purpose flour ensures the right structure and tender crumb. Spoon and level your flour carefully to avoid a dense, dry bar.
• Baking Soda: A critical leavening agent that helps the cookie base rise slightly and contributes to its tender, chewy texture. Do not skip this ingredient!
• Salt: This humble ingredient is a flavor enhancer, balancing the sweetness and intensifying the overall taste of your S’mores Cookie Bars.
• Milk Chocolate Chips: The classic choice for S’mores, milk chocolate chips melt beautifully and provide that creamy, familiar chocolate flavor. For a richer bar, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips can also be used as a delicious alternative.
• Marshmallow Fluff (or Marshmallow Creme): The quintessential gooey center! Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme® is a popular and excellent choice, known for its consistent texture and sweet flavor. Warming it slightly makes it much easier to spread evenly.
• Graham Crackers: These provide the iconic S’mores crunch and flavor. Crushing them to a coarse texture is key – you want distinct crumbs, not a fine powder, to add texture without large, unappealing chunks.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making S’mores Cookie Bars

Follow these detailed steps to create perfectly gooey and irresistible S’mores Cookie Bars:

1. Prepare Your Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This overhang will act as “handles” later, making it incredibly easy to lift the sticky bars out of the pan for clean slicing. An 8×8-inch pan will yield thicker bars, while a 9×9-inch pan will result in slightly thinner ones; both work perfectly fine.
2. Make the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the partially melted and cooled unsalted butter, firmly packed light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, old fashioned oats, baking soda, and salt. Stir these ingredients together until they are well combined and form a thick, cohesive cookie dough. It’s crucial that the butter is cooled to prevent it from melting the sugar and leading to greasy bars.
3. Form the Base Layer: Divide the prepared cookie dough mixture roughly in half. Press one half of the dough evenly into the bottom of your parchment-lined baking pan. Ensure it’s pressed firmly and uniformly across the entire surface for consistent baking.
4. Pre-Bake the Crust: Place the pan with the pressed cookie dough into the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes. This initial bake sets the base, providing a sturdy foundation for your S’mores layers. Remove the pan from the oven after 8 minutes.
5. Layer Chocolate and Marshmallow: Immediately after taking the pan out of the oven, sprinkle the entire bag of milk chocolate chips evenly over the warm cookie crust. The residual heat will start to melt the chocolate. Next, gently warm the marshmallow fluff in the microwave for about 7 seconds (ensure there’s no metal on the jar!). This makes it much more pliable. Carefully spoon the warmed marshmallow fluff on top of the chocolate chips, then, working slowly and delicately, gently smooth it into an even layer using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
6. Add Graham Cracker Crumble Topping: Crush two full graham crackers. You can do this by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and crushing them with a wooden spoon or the handle of a knife until you have coarse crumbs – you want texture, not a fine powder. Add these crushed graham crackers to the remaining half of the cookie dough mixture and stir well to combine. Evenly crumble this mixture over the marshmallow fluff layer. Don’t worry if it doesn’t cover the marshmallow completely; letting some peek through adds to the rustic S’mores appeal.
7. Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 13-15 minutes, or until the top layer is lightly golden brown and the edges are set. Keep a close eye on it to prevent overbaking, as you want the marshmallow to remain gooey.
8. Cool and Cut: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature in the pan for at least 1 hour. This cooling time is essential for the bars to set properly and for the gooey layers to stabilize. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan. Place them on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut them into squares. For extra clean cuts, you can chill the bars briefly before slicing.

Expert Tips for Perfect S’mores Cookie Bars

Achieving S’mores Cookie Bar perfection is simple with these additional insights and tricks:

• Lining the Baking Pan is Non-Negotiable: These bars are incredibly gooey and sticky, especially the marshmallow layer. Always line your baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some to hang over the sides. This ensures easy removal and clean-up, preventing any frustration.
• Measure Flour Accurately: For the best cookie base texture, it’s vital to measure your flour correctly. Avoid scooping flour directly with your measuring cup, as this can pack too much in, leading to a dry, dense bar. Instead, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. If you need a visual guide, searching for “spoon and level flour method” on YouTube can be very helpful.
• Choose High-Quality Chocolate: The quality of your chocolate makes a noticeable difference in both melt and flavor. Opt for high-quality milk chocolate chips for the richest, creamiest results. Brands like Ghirardelli® or Guittard® are excellent choices. Cheaper brands often contain a waxier content that can result in a less flavorful and less smooth melt.
• Don’t Overbake: The key to gooey S’mores is not to overbake! Keep a close watch on the bars during their second bake. You want the top crumble to be lightly browned, but the marshmallow underneath should still be soft and pliable.
• Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue when it comes to cutting these bars. Allow them to cool fully at room temperature before slicing. Attempting to cut them while warm will result in a messy, crumbling, and sticking disaster.
• Warm Marshmallow Fluff for Easy Spreading: A quick few seconds in the microwave will transform dense marshmallow fluff into a smooth, spreadable consistency, making it much easier to create an even layer over the chocolate. Just be sure to remove any metal lids or foil seals before microwaving.

Variations and Customizations

While these S’mores Cookie Bars are perfect as is, feel free to get creative with these delicious variations:

• Chocolate Choices: Experiment with different types of chocolate. Dark chocolate chips will add a sophisticated bitterness, while white chocolate chips offer a sweeter, creamier profile. You could even use chopped chocolate bars for larger melty pockets.
• Add Nuts: Toasted chopped pecans or walnuts can add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the cookie base or sprinkled on top with the graham crackers.
• Extracts: A touch of vanilla extract in the cookie dough is always welcome, but a hint of almond or even a tiny bit of coffee extract could add intriguing depth.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon in the cookie dough can complement the graham cracker flavor beautifully, adding a subtle warmth.
• Different Crumble Topping: While graham crackers are classic, you could also try crushing other simple cookies like vanilla wafers or shortbread for a slightly different topping texture.

More Delicious Desserts to Try

If you’re a fan of easy-to-make, shareable dessert bars, you’ll love exploring these other delightful recipes:

• Funfetti Bars: A festive cookie base loaded with marshmallows and colorful candy topping.
• 7 Layer Bars: A classic treat featuring a rich graham cracker crust and multiple decadent layers.
• Carmelitas: Irresistible caramel and chocolate oatmeal bars that are chewy and sweet.
• Caramel Cookie Bars: Buttery shortbread cookie bars with a luscious, gooey caramel center.
• Vanilla Cheesecake Bars: Creamy vanilla cheesecake bars topped with a vibrant berry topping.

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Rated 5 from 4 votes

S’mores Cookie Bars

By

Chelsea Lords

These S’mores Cookie Bars have everything you love about campfire s’mores, all packed into a gooey, layered treat! Melty marshmallows, rich chocolate, and a graham cracker oatmeal crumb crust that holds it all together.

Prep Time:

25
minutes

Cook Time:

21
minutes

Total Time:

46
minutes

Servings:

14
bars

Video

Watch a brief video tutorial to guide you through the process of making these delicious S’mores Cookie Bars. The video highlights key steps for achieving the perfect gooey texture and golden-brown finish.

Equipment

• 8 x 8-inch baking pan
  or 9 x 9-inch for thinner bars
• Parchment paper
• Large mixing bowl
• Spatula or spoon for mixing and spreading

Ingredients (Yields 14 bars)

• 3/4
  cup
  unsalted butter
  partially melted and cooled
• 3/4
  cup
  light brown sugar
  firmly packed
• 1
  cup
  all-purpose flour
• 1
  cup
  
  old fashioned oats
  
  do not use quick or steel-cut oats
• 1
  teaspoon
  baking soda
• 1/2
  teaspoon
  
  salt
  
• 1
  (12-ounce) bag
  milk chocolate chips
• 1
  (7-ounce) jar
  marshmallow creme
  I use Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme
• 2
  graham crackers

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides for easy removal. Set aside. (An 8×8 pan yields thicker bars).
2. In a large bowl, combine the partially melted and cooled butter, light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, old fashioned oats, baking soda, and salt. Stir vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and form a thick, cohesive cookie dough. Divide this mixture into two roughly equal halves. Take one half and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
3. Bake the bottom cookie crust in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8 minutes. This will set the base. Remove the pan from the oven after baking.
4. Immediately upon removing the pan from the oven, sprinkle the entire bag of milk chocolate chips evenly over the hot cookie crust. In a separate bowl, warm the marshmallow fluff in the microwave for approximately 7 seconds (ensure no metal is on the jar). Spoon the slightly warmed, more spreadable marshmallow fluff on top of the chocolate chips. Working slowly and carefully, gently smooth the marshmallow into an even layer over the chocolate.
5. Crush the 2 graham crackers into a coarse crumb (a sealed bag and a rolling pin or wooden spoon work well). Add these crushed crackers to the remaining half of the cookie dough mixture and stir thoroughly to combine them. Evenly crumble this graham cracker and cookie dough mixture over the marshmallow fluff layer.
6. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 13–15 minutes, or until the top layer is lightly golden brown and set. Be careful not to overbake to maintain the gooey center. Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour before attempting to cut them. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and cut into squares with a sharp knife. For the best gooey texture, enjoy within 2–3 days (store in an airtight container).

Recipe Notes

Note on Butter Temperature: Always ensure your melted butter is cooled before mixing with sugar and other ingredients. Adding hot butter can prematurely melt the sugar, leading to a dough that is too oily and resulting in greasy, less appealing bars.
Storage for Freshness: To keep your S’mores Cookie Bars at their best, store them in an airtight container. If stacking layers, place parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. They will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days, or you can refrigerate them for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving:
16
bars

|

Calories:
205
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
32.9
g

|

Protein:
1.9
g

|

Fat:
9.1
g

|

Cholesterol:
23
mg

|

Sodium:
42
mg

|

Fiber:
1
g

|

Sugar:
17
g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is an approximation. Values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

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