Irresistible S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Your New Favorite Easy Dessert!

Imagine the ultimate dessert that brings together the classic comfort of a homemade chocolate chip cookie with the nostalgic delight of gooey s’mores. That’s exactly what you get with these incredible S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! These bars are not just a treat; they’re an experience, meticulously crafted to deliver your favorite chocolate chip cookie in bar form, generously topped with perfectly toasted marshmallows and a luxurious chocolate drizzle. Easy to whip up and guaranteed to disappear quickly, they are the perfect special treat for any gathering or a delightful indulgence just for you.

True happiness can be found in many small moments: the comforting warmth of a hot cup of good coffee on a crisp morning as you explore bustling downtown streets, or the simple joy of cuddling with your beloved furry friend as they squeeze you tight. But for me, pure, unadulterated happiness is synonymous with sinking my teeth into these S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Seriously, if you ever need to win me over, this is the dessert to make. It masterfully combines two of my absolute favorite sweet treats – classic chocolate chip cookies and smoky, sweet s’mores – into one magnificent creation, transforming two beloved traditions into a modern, irresistible delight. It’s a dessert that speaks to the soul, promising pure bliss with every bite.

The Inspiration Behind These Perfect S’mores Bars

The genesis of these amazing S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars traces back to a memorable fall festival I attended in October. As I wandered through the vibrant stalls, my eyes were drawn to a table laden with an array of tempting homemade baked goods. Amidst the various cakes, pies, and cookies, one item in particular caught my attention and absolutely captivated me: a generously sized, thick chocolate chip cookie square, crowned with a luscious layer of toasted marshmallows and a decadent chocolate topping. It was love at first sight, and I knew instantly that it had to be my lunch for the day!

While that festival treat provided the initial spark, this recipe for S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars offers a distinct and elevated experience. My version features a thicker, wonderfully chewy cookie layer that is notably less dense than the one I first encountered. This ensures a more tender and satisfying base for the toppings. To truly capture the essence of a campfire s’more, I specifically toast the marshmallows until they achieve that perfect golden-brown hue and irresistible gooey texture. Although these bars ingeniously skip the traditional graham cracker, the combination of the rich cookie, melted chocolate, and beautifully caramelized marshmallows undeniably delivers that authentic, beloved s’mores flavor profile. You won’t miss the graham cracker, I promise!

Essential Tips for Perfect S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Crafting these S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars is straightforward, but a few key tips will elevate your baking experience and ensure truly spectacular results. First and foremost, you absolutely must broil the marshmallows after you’ve added them to the baked cookie layer. I experimented with simply continuing to bake them, but they simply refused to brown or achieve that desirable toasted character. Broiling, however, is the secret to transforming them into a gloriously golden, puffy, and gooey topping. Keep a very close eye on them under the broiler – marshmallows can go from perfectly toasted to burnt in a matter of seconds! Different broilers vary in intensity, so rotate your pan as needed to ensure even toasting across all the marshmallows.

Beyond the broiling, I wholeheartedly recommend enjoying these S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars while they are still warm. The warmth ensures the chocolate chips in the cookie base are delightfully melted, and the toasted marshmallows are at their peak gooey perfection, stretching invitingly with every bite. This warm, melty texture is truly unparalleled. However, if that beautiful chocolate drizzle is a non-negotiable for you – and who could blame you? – you’ll need to exercise a bit of patience and allow the bars to cool completely before piping it on. The melted chocolate for drizzling requires a cool surface to set properly and maintain its distinct pattern. It seems you can’t quite have it all simultaneously, but both warm and cooled versions offer their own unique delights! In fact, just thinking about them makes me wish I could reach through the screen for some right now.

One of the most impressive qualities of these S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars is their remarkable freshness. I can personally attest that they last all week, retaining their deliciousness and texture. During a particularly busy holiday season, our house was overflowing with Christmas goodies, and these bars didn’t get devoured immediately as they usually would. I admit, I was initially concerned about how the texture of the toasted marshmallows would hold up over several days, fearing they might become tough or rubbery. To my pleasant surprise, they were absolutely fine! Perhaps I just loved them so much that any minor change in texture went unnoticed – either way, they remained incredibly enjoyable. By the end of the week, I think I ended up eating half the pan by myself. Whoops, but absolutely no regrets!

Ingredient Insights & Variations

The beauty of these S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars lies in their simple, classic ingredients that come together to create something extraordinary. Using good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips is key for that rich, classic flavor. You can experiment with milk chocolate or even dark chocolate chips for a different profile. The combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar ensures a chewy, moist cookie base with a lovely depth of flavor. And mini marshmallows are ideal for creating an even layer that toasts beautifully under the broiler. For an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon to the cookie dough, or even a tiny splash of almond extract alongside the vanilla for a subtle twist.

Serving Suggestions & Storage

These S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are fantastic on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, especially when served warm. A glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee makes for a perfect accompaniment. For parties, cut them into smaller squares for easy snacking. To store any leftovers, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. While they are best enjoyed fresh, they maintain their deliciousness well. If you want to make them ahead, the un-marshmallowed cookie base can be baked and frozen, then topped with marshmallows and broiled closer to serving time for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

More Delicious Cookie Bar Recipes to Explore

If you’ve fallen in love with the simplicity and incredible flavor of these S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, you’re in luck! Cookie bars are an excellent way to enjoy all the goodness of cookies without the individual scooping and shaping. They’re perfect for potlucks, parties, or simply for an easy weeknight dessert. Be sure to check out some of my other fantastic cookie bar recipes:

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars with Apple Butter Frosting

Festive Gingerbread S’mores Cookie Bars

Refreshing Coconut Lime Meltaway Cookie Bars

Decadent Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookie Bars

Smores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Yield:
16 squares

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
55 minutes

These Smores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the perfect easy dessert, featuring a delightful chocolate chip cookie base topped with sweet, toasted marshmallows and a finishing drizzle of rich chocolate. It’s a crowd-pleasing treat that brings classic flavors together beautifully.

Ingredients for S’mores Cookie Bars

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (4 ounces or 8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided into 1 cup for dough + 3/4 cup for drizzle)
2 cups mini marshmallows

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the bars out later.
In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the softened unsalted butter and both granulated sugar and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light, creamy, and fluffy, typically about 2-3 minutes.
Beat in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until it is all just incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix. Gently stir in 1 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared 9×9 inch pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and set it aside. Turn your oven’s broiler on to prepare for toasting marshmallows.
Evenly distribute the mini marshmallows in a single, consistent layer over the warm cookie base. Place the pan under the broiler for a few minutes until the marshmallows are beautifully golden brown and toasted. Watch them continuously, as they can burn very quickly! You may need to rotate your pan a few times to ensure even toasting, especially if your broiler doesn’t heat uniformly. Once toasted to your liking, remove the pan from the broiler and let the bars cool completely.
Once the S’mores Cookie Bars are completely cool, take the remaining 3/4 cup of chocolate chips and place them into a small sandwich bag or a piping bag. Microwave the bag for 30 seconds. Gently massage the bag to help the chocolate melt. Continue microwaving in short 15-second intervals, massaging after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Push all the melted chocolate to one corner of the bag. Snip a very small hole at the tip of that corner with scissors. Pipe the melted chocolate over the marshmallow layer in an attractive zigzag pattern. Allow the chocolate drizzle to set and harden completely before slicing and serving these delightful bars. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

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These S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are truly a celebration of flavor and texture, bringing together everything you love about classic desserts in one easy-to-make, shareable format. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just to brighten an ordinary day, they are guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfy even the most demanding sweet tooth. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to this delightful creation!

Source: Adapted from Nestle’s Best-Loved Cookies (Amazon affiliate link)