Easy S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe: No Campfire Needed for This Iconic Treat

Indulge in the quintessential taste of summer anytime, anywhere, with these irresistible S’mores Cookie Bars! Forget the hassle of a campfire; this easy-to-make dessert brings the beloved flavors of gooey marshmallows, rich chocolate, and crunchy graham crackers right to your kitchen. Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a simple weeknight treat, these bars offer a delicious twist on a classic.

There’s something truly magical about s’mores – that perfect blend of toasted marshmallow, melted chocolate, and crisp graham cracker. But let’s be honest, campfires aren’t always an option. That’s where these incredible S’mores Cookie Bars come in! This recipe captures all the iconic flavor of traditional s’mores in a convenient, shareable bar form, making it a fantastic dessert for any occasion. Imagine a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie dough, generously studded with mini marshmallows and luscious Hershey’s chocolate chunks. Every bite is a delightful journey to a warm summer evening, no matter the season, delivering that comforting, nostalgic taste without the smoky haze.

What makes these S’mores Cookie Bars truly special is how perfectly they replicate the classic campfire experience. We start with a buttery, slightly sweet graham cracker crust, providing that essential crunchy base that anchors all the other flavors. Layered on top is a rich, soft, and thick chocolate chip cookie dough that’s not just filled with ordinary chocolate chips, but also packed with an abundance of mini marshmallows and substantial pieces of Hershey’s chocolate bars. The marshmallows melt into a wonderfully gooey, almost toasted layer during baking, while the chocolate becomes lusciously soft and melty, creating an irresistible texture contrast with the chewy cookie and crisp crust. This combination ensures every bite delivers the full, authentic s’mores sensation.

These rich and chewy S’mores Cookie Bars are absolutely delightful on their own, offering a satisfying bite of pure nostalgia. Their complex texture and balanced sweetness make them a standout dessert. But if you’re feeling adventurous and want to elevate your dessert experience even further, serve them à la mode with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast of cold, creamy ice cream melting over the warm, gooey bars creates a heavenly combination that’s truly unforgettable and utterly decadent. I have a genuine passion for brownies and cookie bars, and I love creating recipes that blend the best of both worlds, much like my popular Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars (affectionately known as “brookies,” a perfect marriage of two beloved treats). And for another indulgent delight, warm Turtle Brownies also pair divinely with a generous scoop of ice cream, offering a symphony of chocolate, caramel, and nuts.

Why You’ll Love This S’mores Cookie Bars Recipe

If you’re searching for a dessert that’s not only incredibly easy to make but also universally loved and undeniably delicious, then these S’mores Cookie Bars are your perfect match! This recipe is designed to bring joy and satisfy cravings with minimal fuss. Here’s why this particular recipe is sure to become a cherished staple in your baking repertoire and a go-to for any sweet occasion:

• Effortless Preparation: This recipe is a dream for any home baker, regardless of experience level. It’s designed for simplicity, utilizing common pantry ingredients that you likely already have on hand. There’s no need for fancy equipment or complex techniques, making it incredibly accessible and enjoyable to prepare.
• Visually Stunning & Extra Delicious: Beyond their incredible taste, these bars are a feast for the eyes. The strategic addition of generous Hershey’s bar chunks, pressed into the tops of the bars halfway through baking, isn’t just for aesthetics. This technique ensures extra pools of rich, beautifully melted chocolate on the surface, making them incredibly appealing and undeniably more delicious. Who could possibly resist the allure of more visible, gooey chocolate?
• No Campfire, No Problem: Experience the authentic, mouth-watering taste of s’mores without any of the traditional outdoor hassles. Forget gathering firewood or even needing a kitchen blowtorch! This oven-baked method delivers all the gooey, chocolatey, and marshmallowy goodness with minimal fuss and maximum flavor, bringing the magic indoors.
• Batch Baking Convenience: Tired of the repetitive task of scooping individual cookies? This bar recipe is a game-changer! It bakes up an entire batch of delicious treats in a single 9×13-inch pan, saving you precious time and effort. Simply press the dough into the pan, bake, slice, and serve a generous quantity of delectable bars.
• Perfect for Any Gathering: These S’mores Cookie Bars are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, making them ideal for potlucks, family holidays, birthday parties, or any event where you need to serve a group. They are wonderfully easy to transport, cut cleanly when cooled, and their appealing appearance combined with familiar, comforting flavors guarantees they’ll be an instant hit and completely devoured.
• Year-Round Enjoyment: Why limit the pure bliss of s’mores to just the summer months? This versatile recipe allows you to experience that beloved, nostalgic flavor profile any time of year. Whether it’s a chilly autumn evening, a festive winter gathering, or a spring picnic, these bars bring a touch of warmth, comfort, and sweet satisfaction to any season.

Essential Ingredients for S’mores Cookie Bars

Before you embark on your baking adventure, it’s always a good idea to gather all your ingredients. For precise measurements and comprehensive step-by-step instructions, be sure to consult the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card at the bottom of this post.

For the Classic Graham Cracker Crust:

The foundation of any truly great s’mores-inspired treat is a rich, slightly crunchy, and buttery graham cracker crust. This simple yet crucial layer provides the perfect textural and flavor contrast to the chewy cookie and gooey toppings, setting the stage for an unforgettable dessert.

• Graham Crackers: Crushed into fine, uniform crumbs, these are the quintessential ingredient for our iconic base. While the classic Honey Maid brand is a consistently great choice for its distinct honey-sweet flavor, any brand of plain graham crackers will work beautifully. You can easily achieve fine crumbs using a food processor, or by placing the crackers in a sturdy Ziploc bag and crushing them thoroughly with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted butter acts as the binding agent, holding the graham cracker crumbs together to create a firm, flavorful, and perfectly cohesive crust. Using unsalted butter is always recommended in baking, as it gives you precise control over the overall saltiness of your dessert.
• Granulated Sugar: A small amount of granulated sugar is added to enhance the natural sweetness of the graham crackers, creating a perfectly balanced crust that complements the other layers without being overly sugary.

For the Irresistible Cookie Layer:

This isn’t just any ordinary cookie layer; it’s a rich, wonderfully chewy, and marshmallow-filled chocolate chip cookie dough designed to perfectly mimic the delightful combination of toasted marshmallow and melted chocolate components found in traditional s’mores.

• Mini Marshmallows: These small but mighty morsels are absolutely key for achieving that signature gooey, stretchy texture that defines s’mores. Mini marshmallows disperse more evenly throughout the cookie dough and melt beautifully during baking, creating delightful pockets of sticky sweetness in every bite.
• Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a timeless staple in almost any cookie recipe, providing rich, intense bursts of chocolatey flavor that are distributed generously throughout the bar. Feel free to experiment with milk chocolate chips for a sweeter profile or dark chocolate chips for a more profound, bitter-sweet intensity.
• Hershey Bars: Broken into generous, rustic chunks, these chocolate bar pieces are crucial for achieving that authentic, gloriously melty s’mores chocolate experience. We add them strategically halfway through baking to ensure they remain distinct, beautifully gooey, and prominent on top of the bars, mimicking campfire-melted chocolate.
• Unsalted Butter: Softened unsalted butter forms the rich base for our delectable cookie dough, contributing essential moisture, tenderness, and a luxurious flavor. As with the crust, using unsalted butter allows for precise control over the salt content of your cookie bars.
• Granulated Sugar: This fine sugar contributes to the overall sweetness of the cookie layer and plays a role in creating those desirable slightly crispy edges and wonderfully chewy centers that characterize a perfect cookie bar.
• Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is a secret weapon for moist and chewy cookies. Its natural molasses content adds incredible depth of flavor and ensures a wonderfully soft, tender, and incredibly chewy texture for the cookie dough, preventing dryness.
• Large Eggs: Eggs are indispensable in baking, acting as a crucial binder that provides essential structure and moisture to the cookie dough, ultimately resulting in a perfectly tender and cohesive crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: A high-quality vanilla extract is an essential flavor enhancer. Its warm, aromatic notes beautifully complement and elevate the rich chocolate and sweet marshmallow flavors, tying all the components together. Use pure vanilla for the best results.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is the primary dry ingredient that provides the fundamental structure to our S’mores Cookie Bars. It’s important to measure flour correctly (spoon into measuring cup and level off) to avoid inadvertently adding too much, which can lead to dense or dry bars.
• Baking Soda: Our chosen leavening agent, baking soda, reacts with the acidic brown sugar to help the cookie bars rise slightly and contributes significantly to their signature soft, chewy, and slightly airy texture.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is absolutely vital in this recipe. It expertly balances the sweetness, prevents the bars from tasting flat, and actively enhances all the other delicious flavors in the cookie dough. Never skip the salt!

How To Make The Best S’mores Cookie Bars

Crafting these sensational S’mores Cookie Bars is a surprisingly straightforward process, and the delightful result is an impressive, crowd-pleasing dessert that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Follow these simple, well-defined steps for perfectly gooey, chocolatey, and chewy bars every single time. Precision and patience in these steps will lead to baking success!

1. Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when you place the crust inside. Line a standard 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the longer sides. This parchment paper sling will be your best friend for easily lifting the cooled bars out of the pan later. In a medium-sized bowl, combine your finely crushed graham cracker crumbs, the melted unsalted butter, and the granulated sugar. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until the crumbs are uniformly moistened and resemble wet sand. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan, creating a compact base. Bake the crust for exactly 7 minutes to allow it to set and become lightly fragrant, then remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool completely while you prepare the cookie dough. This cooling step is important to prevent the warm crust from prematurely melting the cookie dough layer.
2. Whip Up the Cookie Dough: In the large bowl of an electric stand mixer (fitted with a paddle attachment) or using a hand mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Beat these ingredients on medium speed for a good 2-3 minutes until the mixture transforms into a light, airy, and fluffy consistency, and the color becomes noticeably paler. This creaming process is crucial as it incorporates air, which contributes significantly to the cookie bars’ ultimate tender and soft texture. Next, beat in the large eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated into the butter-sugar mixture before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined. In a separate, medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the flour just disappears and a cohesive, soft dough forms. It’s important to be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough or dense bars. Finally, using a sturdy rubber spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
3. Assemble and Bake: Once your cookie dough is ready, evenly spread this luscious mixture over the completely cooled graham cracker crust in the baking pan. This dough can be a bit sticky due to the marshmallows and chocolate, so if you find it difficult to spread, a handy trick is to lightly wet your fingertips with a little water; this prevents sticking and helps you gently press the dough out by hand into an even layer. Return the pan to the preheated oven and bake for an initial 15 minutes. After this first baking period, carefully remove the pan from the oven and artfully arrange the broken pieces of Hershey bars on top of the partially baked cookie dough. This strategic timing ensures that the chocolate chunks sit beautifully on the surface, melting into inviting, visible pools of chocolate without sinking to the bottom of the bars. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still appears slightly soft (don’t worry, it will firm up beautifully as it cools).
4. Cool and Serve: Once baked to golden perfection, remove the S’mores Cookie Bars from the oven. This next step is absolutely crucial for achieving clean, beautiful slices: allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature, undisturbed, in the pan before you even think about cutting them. Cutting into warm bars with still-melty chocolate and gooey marshmallows will result in a wonderfully sticky, messy (albeit still delicious) experience, making neat presentation challenging. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to carefully lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan. Transfer them to a clean cutting board and slice into your desired squares or rectangles. Now, they are ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Delicious Suggestions

Achieving the perfect S’mores Cookie Bar experience is not just about following the steps, but also about knowing a few key techniques and how to customize them to your liking. Here are some expert tips and creative suggestions to make your bars even more extraordinary and tailored to your taste:

• Embrace Dark Chocolate: For those who appreciate a richer, less intensely sweet profile, consider swapping out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips. Furthermore, for the Hershey’s bar chunks, opt for your favorite high-quality dark chocolate bar to create a sophisticated and wonderfully intense s’mores experience that appeals to adult palates.
• Spreading Sticky Dough: Cookie dough, especially when laden with soft marshmallows, can sometimes be a bit challenging to spread evenly over the graham cracker crust. A simple yet effective trick is to lightly wet your fingertips with a little water before gently pressing the dough out by hand. This prevents the dough from sticking to your fingers and helps you achieve a smooth, even layer without frustration.
• Patience is Key for Slicing: We understand the irresistible urge to dig into these warm, gooey bars immediately after they come out of the oven! However, truly, allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature in the pan before attempting to slice them. The marshmallows and chocolate need adequate time to set and firm up. Cutting into warm bars will undoubtedly result in a sticky, gooey mess – while still delicious, it won’t yield those beautifully neat squares you’re aiming for.
• Time-Saving Shortcut: If you find yourself short on time but still craving that delicious s’mores flavor, you can absolutely utilize store-bought refrigerated cookie dough for the top layer. Just remember one crucial step: be sure to thoroughly mix in the mini marshmallows and chocolate chips (if not already included) before pressing the dough over the graham cracker crust. This shortcut provides an incredibly satisfying dessert with significantly less prep time.
• Graham Cracker Substitutions: In some regions, traditional graham crackers might be difficult to find. In a pinch, digestive biscuits or Maria biscuits make excellent and readily available substitutes for the crust. While they possess a slightly different flavor profile and texture, they will still provide a delicious, crunchy, and stable base for your S’mores Cookie Bars. For context, graham crackers are a uniquely American sweet cracker made with graham flour.
• Add a Pinch of Cinnamon: For an extra layer of warmth, depth, and aromatic complexity, try adding half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your graham cracker crust mixture. The subtle spice beautifully complements the chocolate and marshmallow flavors, adding a cozy dimension.
• Nutty Addition: If you love a little crunch and earthy flavor in your desserts, consider folding a quarter to half a cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts into your cookie dough along with the chocolate chips and marshmallows. This adds a fantastic textural contrast and a rich, nutty note.
• Salted Caramel Drizzle: For an elevated indulgence, once the bars have completely cooled, consider drizzling them generously with homemade or high-quality store-bought salted caramel sauce. The combination of sweet, salty, and gooey will take these s’mores bars to an entirely new level of decadence.

And if you’re craving the true, traditional S’mores experience during the depths of winter or simply don’t have access to a campfire, you can always make my easy Oven S’mores for a quick and satisfying fix, bringing that classic campfire magic right into your kitchen!

How To Store S’mores Cookie Bars

Proper storage is key to ensuring your delicious S’mores Cookie Bars remain fresh, flavorful, and delightfully chewy for as long as possible. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to store them, whether you plan to enjoy them within a few days or wish to save them for a future treat.

• Room Temperature Storage: For optimal flavor and texture – particularly to maintain that wonderfully chewy consistency – it is best to store these bars at room temperature. Once the bars are completely cooled and cut into individual portions, place them in an airtight container. They will remain fresh, soft, and utterly delightful for approximately 2-3 days. However, if your kitchen tends to be quite warm, especially during hotter weather, it’s a good idea to err on the side of caution and refrigerate them instead to prevent the chocolate and marshmallows from becoming too soft and excessively gooey.
• Refrigeration: If you need to extend the shelf life of your S’mores Cookie Bars, or if your home consistently has a warmer ambient temperature, storing them in the refrigerator is an excellent option. Place the completely cooled and cut bars in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep well and maintain their quality for up to one week. For the absolute best eating experience, allow them to sit out at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before indulging. This brief resting period helps the flavors and textures soften and become more prominent. Alternatively, you can gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds to revive that freshly baked, gooey effect.
• Freezing for Longer Storage: S’mores Cookie Bars are fantastic for freezing, making them an excellent make-ahead dessert for future cravings or unexpected guests. Once the bars are completely baked, cooled, and cut into individual portions, arrange them in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe container. To prevent them from sticking together, which can happen with the gooey marshmallows, place strips of waxed paper or parchment paper in between layers. They can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 3 months without compromising flavor or texture. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the frozen bars at room temperature for a few hours, or transfer them to the refrigerator overnight. For an extra special treat, you can warm them gently in the microwave or a low oven after thawing for that warm, gooey, straight-from-the-oven delight!

More Fun and Easy Dessert Recipes to Try

If you absolutely loved making and devouring these S’mores Cookie Bars, then you’re truly in for a treat! Our extensive collection of dessert recipes is brimming with simple, incredibly delicious, and often nostalgic ideas that are perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknights to grand celebrations. From timeless classics to inventive new twists, there’s always something exciting to discover and enjoy. Here are some more beloved favorites from our kitchen that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and expand your baking repertoire:

• Cosmic Brownies: Take a delightful trip down memory lane by recreating the nostalgic magic of those chewy, fudgy, intensely chocolatey brownies generously adorned with vibrant, colorful candy sprinkles. A truly out-of-this-world treat that’s even better homemade!
• Brownie Batter Dip: For the ultimate chocolate lovers, this is a fantastic no-bake dessert that’s dangerously delicious. This decadent, creamy, and rich dip tastes exactly like raw brownie batter but is entirely safe to eat, perfect for serving with fresh fruit, crispy cookies, or salty pretzels for a delightful contrast.
• Puppy Chow Bars: All the addictive crunch, irresistible sweetness, and classic chocolate-peanut buttery goodness of traditional puppy chow (or muddy buddies), cleverly transformed into convenient, easy-to-eat, and less messy bar form. A guaranteed hit for all ages!
• Ding Dong Cake: Indulge in a giant, homemade version of the iconic snack cake from your childhood. This impressive cake features a moist, tender chocolate cake, a wonderfully creamy vanilla filling, and is generously topped with a luxurious, glossy chocolate ganache.
• Biscoff Rice Krispie Treats: Elevate a simple childhood favorite into an adult-friendly gourmet treat. This delightful twist on classic Rice Krispie treats is infused with the warm, spiced, and utterly irresistible flavor of Biscoff cookie butter. They are wonderfully chewy, deeply flavorful, and incredibly addictive.

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