If you’ve ever wished you could capture the nostalgic magic of campfire s’mores in an easy, handheld dessert, then this S’mores Bars Recipe is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. These bars bring together the perfect combination of crunchy graham cracker crust, melty Hershey’s chocolate, and toasted mini marshmallows on top, creating a gooey, crispy, and utterly irresistible treat. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving a taste of summer, these bars are quick to prepare and endlessly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is your first step toward s’mores bliss. Each component plays an essential role—the graham cracker crumbs give a crispy, buttery base, the melted butter holds it all together with richness, powdered sugar adds just the right touch of sweetness, Hershey’s chocolate provides that classic melty chocolate layer, and mini marshmallows top everything off with a toasted gooey finish.
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs: The bedrock of the bars, giving that signature crunch and a hint of honey flavor.
- 8-12 tablespoons butter (melted): This binds the crust together and adds a rich, buttery taste—feel free to adjust the amount for the perfect crust firmness.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps firm up the crust texture.
- 4 Hershey Chocolate Bars (4.4 ounces each): The classic milk chocolate layers that melt beautifully over the crust.
- 1 package mini marshmallows: The crowning glory, creating that toasty, fluffy top layer everyone loves.
How to Make S’mores Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it warms up, grease your 9×13-inch baking pan generously with non-stick butter spray to ensure the bars won’t stick and will release easily after baking.
Step 2: Mix the Crust Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and melted butter. Stir them with a spoon until the mixture looks evenly moistened. The melted butter is key here—it helps hold the crust together once baked, so make sure everything is nice and blended.
Step 3: Form and Bake the Crust
Transfer the crumb mixture into your prepared pan. Using your fingers, press it evenly and firmly along the bottom and up the sides of the pan to form a solid crust base. Pop this into the oven for about 5 to 8 minutes until the edges just start to turn golden brown. This step is crucial because the crust will continue to harden as it cools, setting a sturdy foundation for the toppings.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate Layer
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool slightly. Then, place the Hershey’s chocolate bars evenly over the graham cracker crust, covering every bit you can. Return the pan to the oven for just about 3 minutes until the chocolate softens and shines, but hasn’t yet melted all the way—this will make the next layer stick perfectly.
Step 5: Top with Marshmallows and Broil
After cooling the chocolate layer briefly, lay the mini marshmallows closely packed on top so they cover the entire bar surface. Now, switch your oven to the broil setting. Place the pan inside and keep a very close eye as the marshmallows toast—that usually takes about 2 minutes, but ovens vary, and burnt marshmallows are never fun! Once they’re golden brown and puffed, take them out immediately.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Allow the bars to cool fully, and for the best cutting experience, pop them in the refrigerator to set. When ready, use a sharp knife warmed briefly under hot water (then dried) to slice through the gooey layers without the marshmallow sticking all over. Repeat warming the knife if needed for clean cuts.
How to Serve S’mores Bars Recipe
Garnishes
While these S’mores Bars stand mighty well on their own, you can sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt on top to bring out the chocolate flavor even more or add a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence. A light dusting of crushed graham crackers around the edges adds a nice textural contrast and looks charming on the serving tray.
Side Dishes
Pair your bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to cool down the toasted marshmallow and balance the richness. For a cozy drink, hot chocolate or a frothy latte complements the s’mores experience perfectly, keeping the campfire vibe alive indoors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the bars in rustic wooden trays or on parchment paper for a relaxed picnic feel. You can also cut smaller bite-sized squares and skewer them on sticks for a portable treat at parties. Wrapping individual bars in wax paper tied with a ribbon makes a lovely homemade gift that carries a personal touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover S’mores Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain the soft marshmallow texture. If you prefer the marshmallows to stay firmer, refrigeration is a fine option, but it may slightly harden the crust.
Freezing
You can freeze these bars for longer storage by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature before serving; the texture remains surprisingly good and delicious.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy warm gooey bars again, pop individual portions in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or briefly warm in a low oven (about 300 degrees) for 5 minutes. This revives the melted chocolate and marshmallow but be careful not to overheat and burn the marshmallows.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate for this S’mores Bars Recipe?
Absolutely! While classic Hershey’s milk chocolate is traditional, feel free to experiment with dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even chocolate chips, depending on your preference. Just keep in mind melting times may vary.
What if I don’t have graham cracker crumbs?
If graham cracker crumbs are unavailable, crushed digestive biscuits or vanilla wafers can be a great substitute and will maintain the sweet, crunchy base needed for these bars.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs and ensure your chocolate and marshmallows are free from gluten-containing ingredients. This keeps the recipe friendly for those with gluten sensitivities.
Is it possible to make larger or smaller batches?
You can easily scale this recipe up or down by adjusting ingredient quantities proportionally. Just be mindful of pan size changes as cooking times might vary slightly.
How do I prevent marshmallows from burning under the broiler?
The key is to watch them closely because marshmallows can go from perfectly toasted to burnt in seconds. Keep the oven door slightly ajar if possible, and stay right beside the oven to pull them out the moment they turn golden brown.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this S’mores Bars Recipe enough if you want to quickly capture the joy of s’mores anytime without the campfire hassle. These bars are such a crowd-pleaser, easy to whip up, and offer that perfect balance of crunchy, gooey, and sweet that everyone craves. Next time you want a delicious treat with minimal fuss, give this recipe a try—you’re going to love how simple and scrumptious it is!
Print
S’mores Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This delightful S’mores Bar recipe transforms the classic campfire treat into an easy-to-make dessert bar, featuring a buttery graham cracker crust layered with melting Hershey’s chocolate and toasted mini marshmallows. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in, these bars combine crunchy, gooey, and chocolaty textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 Cups graham cracker crumbs
- 8–12 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 Cup powdered sugar
Chocolate Layer
- 4 Hershey Chocolate Bars (4.4 ounces each)
Topping
- 1 package mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the crust.
- Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick butter spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Crust Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and melted butter. Stir well until the mixture is evenly moistened.
- Press Crust: Evenly spread the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan. Firmly press down with your fingers to pack it tightly.
- Bake Crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 5-8 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown. Note that the crust will harden as it cools.
- Cool Crust: Remove the crust from the oven and allow it to cool completely before adding toppings.
- Layer Chocolate: Arrange the Hershey chocolate bars evenly on top of the cooled graham cracker crust, covering it completely.
- Melt Chocolate: Return the pan to the oven for about 3 minutes, just until the chocolate starts to melt and becomes shiny.
- Cool Slightly: Let the chocolate layer cool for 1-2 minutes to set but remain soft.
- Add Marshmallows: Place mini marshmallows closely packed on top of the chocolate layer.
- Broil Marshmallows: Switch your oven to broil. Place the pan in the oven and watch carefully as marshmallows brown—this should take about 2 minutes, but times vary by oven. Remove as soon as they are golden brown to avoid burning.
- Final Cooling: Allow the bars to cool completely. For firmer bars, refrigerate them after initial cooling to help set the layers.
- Serve: When ready to serve, cut into bars. To prevent sticking, warm a sharp knife under hot water, dry it off, and slice, repeating if the knife becomes sticky.
Notes
- Use melted butter within the guidelines of 8-12 tablespoons depending on desired crust firmness and richness.
- The crust hardens as it cools, so don’t worry if it feels soft right out of the oven.
- Watch marshmallows carefully under the broiler to avoid burning or catching fire.
- Refrigeration after cooling helps the bars set and makes cutting easier.
- Warming and drying the knife before slicing helps achieve cleaner cuts without sticking.
