Imagine s'mores in bar form, this is just that! Gooey peanut butter s'mores bars have a graham cracker chocolate chip cookie base and ribbons of marshmallow fluff throughout. A delicious twist on everyone’s favourite summer dessert!
Can you believe it's already August? I feel like summer has seriously just been flying by!
Between the nationwide forest fires and the rainy days here in Toronto, we've had no campfires this summer. That's where these bars come in handy!
The cookie dough comes together in one bowl and is super simple to make. It's got brown butter, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and graham cracker crumbs. Yum!
If you haven't added peanut butter into your s'mores now, you're missing out!
Once the dough is created, it's spread onto an 8x8 pan. Marshmallow fluff is layered on top. Then, chocolate chips and graham cracker pieces. Lastly, some more cookie dough to seal it all in!
Ingredients Notes
Here are a few key ingredients you’ll need for this recipe! Full measurements in the recipe card below.
- Butter - I always use unsalted! This will be melted and browned.
- Chocolate chips - Semi-sweet are used, but feel free to use white, milk, or dark! You can also chop up a chocolate bar for extra gooey pockets of chocolate.
- Eggs - One egg yolk and one egg at room temperature.
- Flour - All-purpose flour is used.
- Graham crackers - Graham cracker crumbs are added into the cookie dough, as well as pieces are layered in between the bars.
- Marshmallow fluff - I used store-bought marshmallow fluff. Marshmallows cannot be a substitute for this recipe.
- Peanut butter - This is used inside the cookie dough. Feel free to use creamy or chunky. I used Jif. Natural peanut butter is to runny.
Step by step instructions
Here is how to make and bake these peanut butter s'mores bars. You will need an 8×8 square pan lined with parchment paper, a large mixing bowl, a spatula, and a whisk.
Step 1 – Prep. Grease the pan. For easy removal of the brownies, place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. Grease again and then set aside.
Step 2 – Brown butter. Check out recipe card for details on how to brown butter! Cool completely (20-30 minutes).
Step 3 - Whisk wet ingredients. In a large bowl, add browned butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter. Stir until well combined.
Once whisked, add in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and whisk until light and fluffy.
Step 4 - Add in dry ingredients. Toss in graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Using a spatula, gently fold until a soft cookie dough forms.
Step 5 - Add in chocolate chips. Toss in the chocolate chips and mix in a few times.
Step 6 - Transfer into prepared pan. Add 3/4's of the dough into the bottom of the pan and spread evenly using your hands or a spatula. Make sure the entire bottom of the pan is covered!
Step 7 - Layer, layer, layer! Add an even layer of marshmallow fluff on top and spread as best as you can. I used a spatula and a spoon together.
This will help you with clean slices and washing the pan afterwards. Sometimes it's tricky to clean off marshmallow fluff.
Add chocolate chips and graham crackers. Then flatten out the remaining 1/4 of the cookie dough and distribute around the bars.
Step 8 - Bake! Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown.
Slice and enjoy! These bars are best enjoyed within 3 days of baking them!
FAQ
Can I use regular marshmallows instead of marshmallow fluff?
After recipe testing, I would have to say no. Marshmallows didn't spread enough, and mini marshmallows spread to much. Marshmallow fluff is the only one that spread the perfect amount for me.
Is marshmallow creme and marshmallow fluff the same thing?
Yes! It's just got different names in different places around the world 🙂
Can I eat these warm?
Absolutely! They will *definitely* be gooey, but that's what this recipe is all about! You can warm them up in a microwave too. We're making s'mores bars here! Haha
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Double the recipe and bake in a 9x13 pan. Check the bars are 25 minutes of baking.
Storing & Freezing
Store the gooey bars on your counter for up to 3 days.
Freeze the bars in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 1 month.
My favourite way to eat these bars is warm! They are so gooey and good and remind me of a campfire!
PS : If you enjoyed this recipe, please make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW down below! I'd love to stay connected on Instagram @taffeybakery! To get more recipes follow me on TikTok @taffeybakery!
Peanut Butter S'mores Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted and browned
- 3/4 cups dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 egg yolk room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips divided
- 1/2 cup graham crackers broken into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉/180℃. Grease an 8×8 inch square pan. For easy removal of the bars, place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. Grease again and then set side.
- Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a medium sized pan over medium heat. Once it melts, it will crackle, then become foamy – continue mixing the butter while this happens to prevent burning. The butter will go from melted to golden brown quickly, and you'll know it's almost done when the aroma of browned butter arrives. The whole process should take about 5 minutes! Once golden, remove from heat and transfer to a glass bowl. Let the butter cool for 30 minutes (Do not let it harden) while you prep on the rest of the recipe.1/2 cup butter
- In a large mixing bowl, add cooled browned butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter. Mix until combined.3/4 cups dark brown sugar, 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- Add in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Whisk until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).1 egg, 1 egg yolk, 1 tbsp vanilla
- Toss in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and graham cracker crumbs. Using a spatula, gently fold until well combined and a soft dough forms.1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 4 tbsp graham cracker crumbs
- Add in 3/4 cups of chocolate chips and mix in.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Take 3/4's of the cookie dough and spread it along the bottom of your prepared pan. Make sure the entire bottom is covered well!
- Spread marshmallow fluff evenly on top. This can be tricky, so place smaller spoonfuls of it onto the dough and that will make it easier to spread around.1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
- Sprinkle chocolate chips and graham crackers on top. Using your hands, flatten the remaining 1/4 of the peanut butter dough and randomly place on top of the bars. Leave some holes in between for the ribbons of marshmallow fluff to peak through!1/2 cup graham crackers
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the edges are a light golden brown colour. The marshmallow fluff may rise up, but it should flatten once removed from the oven and cooled off.
- Slice and enjoy!
Comments