Irresistible S’mores Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Bars: A Decadent Layered Treat

Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary dessert experience with these S’mores Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Bars. This recipe takes the beloved classic s’mores concept and elevates it to new heights, creating an utterly irresistible treat that masterfully blends sweet, salty, and crunchy textures. Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly crafted bar featuring a soft, chewy graham cracker cookie base, followed by a luxuriously thick, gooey marshmallow center, and crowned with a delightful, crunchy chocolate peanut butter topping. This harmonious combination is so profoundly satisfying, it’s guaranteed to captivate anyone with a fondness for chocolate and peanut butter. It’s the kind of dessert that doesn’t just satisfy a craving; it creates an unforgettable moment of pure indulgence.

The journey to these incredible bars began with a simple desire: to combine the best elements of several beloved recipes into one ultimate dessert. There was a time when the allure of marshmallow brownies was undeniable. Those brownies boasted a fudgy, rich base, complemented by an incredibly thick and gooey marshmallow layer, all finished with an irresistible, crunchy chocolate peanut butter topping. The marshmallow layer, in particular, was a revelation—a soft, sweet cloud that left a lasting impression. It fostered a deep appreciation for the humble marshmallow and its power to transform a dessert. The craving for that specific texture and flavor profile was relentless, a constant thought that lingered long after the last bite.

Then came the creation of the S’mores Cookie Crumb Bars. While these bars delivered a delightful cookie layer that remarkably captured the essence of graham crackers, there was a slight yearning for a more substantial marshmallow component. The cookie base was perfect, providing that nostalgic s’mores flavor, but the marshmallow layer, though present, simply wasn’t as thick and decadent as envisioned. This realization sparked an idea, a culinary “what if.” What if these two exceptional recipes could be merged? What if they could “have a baby,” combining the fudgy richness and thick marshmallow of the brownies with the distinct graham cracker flavor of the cookie crumb bars? This vision, born during the summer, became the driving force behind the S’mores Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Bars. It was about taking the most beloved features from each, meticulously blending them to create something truly spectacular. The result is a masterpiece: a robust graham cracker cookie layer, generously topped with an array of peanut butter cups and large, fluffy marshmallows, all encased in a crunchy chocolate peanut butter rice crispy topping. These bars are so incredibly good that they possess a persuasive power; if you can’t win someone over with these, they might just be immune to deliciousness (or perhaps have a peanut allergy, in which case, we certainly wouldn’t want to cause any harm).

The magical combination of chocolate and peanut butter is universally adored, a culinary pairing as iconic as milk and cookies, peanut butter and jelly, or cake and ice cream. Introduce the classic flavors of s’mores into this dynamic duo, and you have a recipe for pure bliss. These bars represent the pinnacle of indulgence, a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures that dance on the palate. While their inherent gooeyness and rich layers might make them a bit messy—especially if enjoyed in warmer temperatures, as was noted for a September creation—this is merely a testament to their authentic, homemade charm. The delightful mess is part of the experience, a small price to pay for such unparalleled deliciousness.

One of the key innovations in this recipe is the deliberate inclusion of peanut butter cups instead of traditional Hershey bars, a personal preference when making classic s’mores. The melty peanut butter core adds an unexpected layer of flavor and a creamy texture that beautifully complements the chocolate. For the marshmallow layer, using large marshmallows is paramount. The goal was to achieve the thickest, most luxurious marshmallow experience possible, creating a substantial, gooey cushion that perfectly encapsulates the s’mores essence. However, if your pantry only yields mini marshmallows or marshmallow fluff, fear not—these alternatives will still deliver a delicious result, though the texture might be slightly different. The key is to ensure an ample amount of marshmallow to achieve that signature sticky sweetness and fluffy consistency.

Let’s talk about the layers, each meticulously designed to contribute to the overall perfection of these bars. The foundation is a buttery, slightly crisp graham cracker cookie base. Unlike a simple crumb crust, this baked cookie layer offers a sturdy yet tender texture, imbued with the unmistakable flavor of graham crackers. It’s the perfect anchor for the layers that follow, providing a delightful chew that complements the softer elements above. On top of this, the unwrapped peanut butter cups are strategically placed, ready to melt into gooey pockets of peanut butter and chocolate, adding a rich depth and a surprise burst of flavor with every bite. The large marshmallows, arranged in neat rows, puff up beautifully in the oven, transforming into a golden, sticky, and incredibly thick layer that is the heart and soul of the s’mores experience. Finally, the crowning glory is the crunchy chocolate peanut butter topping. This ingenious mix of melted semisweet chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and crispy rice cereal creates a fantastic textural contrast. It’s firm enough to hold its shape once set, yet yields easily to the bite, revealing the soft layers beneath. The cereal adds an unexpected, satisfying crunch that elevates the entire bar from merely delicious to absolutely unforgettable.

Crafting these S’mores Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Bars is a rewarding process, and a few tips can help ensure your success. Precision in baking the cookie base is key; you want it lightly golden and set, but not overbaked, to maintain its tender chewiness. When placing the peanut butter cups and marshmallows, arrange them evenly to ensure each square gets a fair share of every delightful component. After the marshmallows have puffed in the oven, gently pressing them down helps to create a uniform, smooth marshmallow layer, preventing any gaps when the chocolate topping is added. For the chocolate peanut butter topping, melting the ingredients over a double boiler or very carefully in a microwave ensures a smooth, luscious mixture without burning the chocolate. Stirring in the rice crispies at the very end maintains their crispness. Most importantly, allow the bars to cool completely and for the chocolate topping to harden before attempting to cut them. This patience will be rewarded with clean, beautiful squares that are much easier to handle and serve. These bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or in the refrigerator for extended freshness, though they rarely last that long!

S’mores Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Bars

Yield:
16 squares

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
33 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 3 minutes

S’mores Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Bars turns traditional s’mores up a notch with this irresistible treat. Graham cracker cookie. Thick marshmallow middle. Crunchy chocolate peanut butter top.

Ingredients

1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup (5 1/3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 unwrapped peanut butter cups
25 large marshmallows
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup rice crispy cereal

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt.
In another large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and creamy, 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually beat in the flour mixture.
Spread the dough into the bottom of the pan. Bake 25 minutes. Pull it out of the oven. Top with the peanut butter cups in a 4×4 row then the marshmallows in a 5×5 row. Bake another 8 minutes or until the marshmallows are puffed. Carefully press down the marshmallows to help spread them and that they are all touching. Cool completely.
In a large heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water), melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Stir in the cereal. Spread over the cooled marshmallow layer. Let the chocolate mixture harden before cutting into 16 squares.

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These S’mores Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Bars are more than just a dessert; they are a celebration of contrasting textures and complementary flavors. The tender, buttery cookie base provides a comforting start, immediately followed by the rich, melty pockets of peanut butter and chocolate from the cups. Then, the gooey, sweet marshmallow layer stretches and pulls, delivering that quintessential s’mores experience. Finally, the crispy, decadent chocolate peanut butter topping adds the perfect crunch, rounding out each bite with a satisfying finish. This intricate layering ensures that every square is an adventure for your palate, offering a delightful mix of soft, chewy, gooey, and crunchy sensations. They are perfect for sharing at parties, holiday gatherings, or simply as a special treat to brighten any ordinary day. Their rich, indulgent nature makes them an instant crowd-pleaser, cementing their status as a truly irresistible dessert.

Want more gooey deliciousness?

Crispy Peanut Butter Marshmallow Brownies

S’mores Cookie Crumb Bars

Single Serving S’mores Peanut Butter Cup Brownie

S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Squares