Gooey S'mores Bars is an old recipe from Family Circle. I first tried these in 2006 and pretty much followed the directions. I threw in some extra marshmallows with the marshmallow creme, used broken up Hershey Bars instead of the kisses and underbaked the center by about 5 minutes. And then I took a lovely picture, which I've moved to the bottom because it's embarrassing. Here's a newer one.
We liked the bars, but at some point I found the Hershey's S'mores Bars recipe which I ended up liking more. That one is different in that it's a layer of Hershey pieces covering a graham cracker bar cookie crust. These Gooey S'mores Bars have a layer of fudge brownie covering a sweeter and crumbly graham cracker crust and a topping of marshmallow cream and chocolate.
Less Gooey Version
The reason I (use to) like the other recipe better is because they are less gooey and easier to transport, however, I started making these bars in a way so that they are gooey, but still pretty. The key is to just put the marshmallow creme on the baked brownies, chill until ready to serve, cut into squares, then top with chocolate and torch with a pastry torch or put under a broiler before serving. Here's a video short of the texture.
Recipe
Gooey S'mores Bars
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
Brownie:
- 6 ounces bittersweet or dark chocolate chopped
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Topping:
- 1 jar marshmallow cream about 1 ½ cups -- (7.5 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup mini chocolate kisses or about ⅔ cup milk chocolate chips
- 3 whole graham cracker boards (6 squares)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. If you don't have parchment paper you can line it with foil and grease the foil.
- Prepare crust. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt and melted butter in a mixing bowl. Stir until moistened, then transfer the crumb mixture to the lined baking pan and press evenly over the bottom of the pan. Put in the refrigerator to set.
- Prepare brownie layer: Combine the bittersweet chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.
- With a hand-held electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat together the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until well blended. Reduce the speed to medium and gradually add the melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture; beat until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the side of the bowl occasionally.
- Stir in the salt and vanilla, then stir in the flour. Scrape the brownie mixture into the crust-lined baking pan; smooth the top level with a rubber spatula.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is smooth and the center is set when gently pressed with fingertip. At this point you can let it cool, or you can go ahead and just spread the marshmallow cream on top while slightly warm.
- Whisk together the marshmallow cream and the milk in a small bowl until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
- Pour the marshmallow topping mixture over the brownie layer in the pan. Spread or tilt the pan to level the topping and cover the brownie layer completely.
- Sprinkle the mini chocolate kisses evenly over the marshmallow topping. Then scatter the crumbled graham crackers all over the top.
- Bake in 350° oven for 3 minutes or until the chocolate kisses are glossy and the marshmallow topping is set. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Less Gooey Version
- Instead of putting the Hershey's pieces or chocolate on the top immediately, just put the marshmallow cream on top and let the bars cool. Chill until firm, then trim edges and slice into neat squares.
- Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over the top and decorate with pieces of Hershey Bar. Serve room temperature, or warm in the oven before serving OR with a pastry torch.
Jenn Driskill says
Is this the famous Anna?? I am going to make these today I hope I do you proud
tg says
being a hard-core minimalist, i'm the wrong one to ask. i like the starkness. but i suppose i can fathom a few crumbs scattered around. sigh. 🙂
Gigi says
I didn't try the chocolate grahams yet. I have some "chocolate spread" (a.k.a. 5 pounds) I'm trying to get rid of first. Guess I should stop buying chocolate for a while...sigh...
Anna says
Gigi, did you try the chocolate grahams?
T, do you think I need some crumbs up top? It looks a little white up there.
tg says
p.s. glass of milk: awesome! witty! bravo!
tg says
oh yeah, baby
Gigi says
Hey Anna! Love the new look!!
I just bought some Milk Chocolate/Graham Cracker Wonka Bars at the store today (couldn't resist - they were 5/$1). I wonder how they would taste in this...guess I'll just have to make them to find out. It's a tough life, isn't it?
Anna says
Amy, I am loving that shopping center.
Claire, thanks for the comment about the peanut butter crust. It sounds great! The graham cracker crust was a bit crumbly. I think I'll try the S'Mores with a different crust. Maybe peanut butter. Or I might just try Maida Heatter's brown sugar crust and then throw in some graham crackers.
Claire N says
These made me remember a S'more Bar recipe I have. It also uses the marshmallow cream but instead of the typical graham cracker crust, it uses a peanut butter cookie crust. On top of this you spread the cream, chocolate chips, and peanuts. It makes a gooey, delicious bar. Always popular at parties.
Amy says
That shopping center near you is soooo nice! I wish I lived in your neighborhood.