Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars Recipe

There’s something magical about the combination of warm chocolate, gooey roasted marshmallow, and crackly graham cracker that can instantly transport you straight to summer nights around the campfire. Enter these Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars: the ultimate dessert mashup that’s downright irresistible. Imagine the best parts of campfire s’mores, layered inside a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookie bar. Every bite oozes with velvety chocolate, pillowy marshmallow, and buttery, golden cookie dough. Whether you’re making them for a gathering or simply want to treat yourself, these bars promise big flavor and nostalgia with minimal effort!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes these bars truly unforgettable is the simplicity and quality of the ingredients—each one plays a starring role in creating the rich flavors, chewy texture, and signature gooeyness. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why each component is so important for these Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars.

• Unsalted Butter: Essential for richness and that soft, chewy base—make sure it’s softened so it blends effortlessly.
• Brown Sugar (packed): Gives the cookie layer a deep, caramel-like note and keeps it moist.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar’s flavor and makes the dough extra tender.
• Large Eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture for perfect bars that aren’t too dry.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor profile with warm, aromatic sweetness.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structure-builder—don’t overmix for soft, thick bars.
• Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and gives that classic cookie-like lift.
• Salt: Just a pinch makes the chocolate stand out and balances all the sweetness.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Scatter chocolate chips through every bite for pools of melty goodness.
• Mini Marshmallows: These are what give the bars their signature gooey s’mores layer, plus an irresistible chewy bite.
• Graham Cracker Crumbs: They mimic the crunchy graham cracker layer of s’mores and deliver that iconic flavor.
• Chocolate Chunks or Chopped Chocolate: Bigger chocolate bits give you decadent pockets of melted chocolate in the center.

How to Make Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). To make serving and cleanup a breeze, line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing a bit of overhang so you can lift the bars out easily once they’ve cooled. This simple step ensures the Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars don’t stick and cut beautifully every time.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture gets nice and creamy. This stage is crucial for that dreamy, chewy cookie texture. Next, crack in the eggs and pour in your vanilla extract, blending everything until it’s perfectly smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually add this to your butter mixture. The dough should be thick but not dry. Once combined, gently fold in those glorious chocolate chips.

Step 3: Layer the Cookie Base

Take half of your prepared cookie dough and press it evenly into your lined pan. Using an offset spatula or your hands can really help here—just make sure it reaches the edges for a strong foundation. This will be the base for all the gooey s’mores magic to come.

Step 4: Build the S’mores Layer

Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs right on top of your cookie dough base for a true taste of classic s’mores. Next, scatter the mini marshmallows evenly, making sure every bite gets a bit of that sticky, toasty flavor. Finish with a generous layer of chocolate chunks or chopped chocolate—you’ll thank yourself later when you hit those melty chocolate pockets!

Step 5: Add the Cookie Top and Bake

Drop the remaining cookie dough over the s’mores layer in spoonfuls, then gently press down to mostly cover the marshmallows and chocolate layer (it’s fine if some marshmallows peek through). Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. Look for a golden-brown top and lightly toasted marshmallows for that irresistible finish. Let your Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars cool completely in the pan before slicing—patience pays off for clean, picture-perfect bars!

How to Serve Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars

Garnishes

For an extra-special finish, try drizzling melted chocolate over the bars or sprinkling on a few more mini marshmallows right before serving. Crushed graham crackers make a pretty and crunchy topping, too! A little pinch of flaky sea salt right after baking can add an amazing contrast to all that sweetness.

Side Dishes

Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars are fabulous on their own, but for a true dessert spread, pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a creamy hot chocolate, or even a fresh fruit salad. The cool ice cream melting over a warm cookie bar is pure dessert bliss!

Creative Ways to Present

You can cut the bars into big squares for hearty servings or slice them into bite-sized pieces for party platters and potlucks. Consider stacking them on a rustic wooden board for a campfire-inspired look, or individually wrap bars in parchment for sweet, take-home treats at your next gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store your Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, making them perfect for advance prep or sneaky late-night snacks.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully! Cut into squares, place a layer of parchment between each piece, and seal in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep their magic for up to 3 months—just thaw on the counter when you need an easy homemade treat.

Reheating

If you crave that freshly baked, gooey texture, pop a Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bar in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. It’ll bring those marshmallow and chocolate layers back to life, making every bite taste like it just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini?

You can, but mini marshmallows work best for these bars since they spread evenly and give you gooeyness in every bite. If you only have large marshmallows, chop them into smaller pieces before layering.

Do I have to use semi-sweet chocolate chips?

Semi-sweet chips balance sweetness perfectly, but feel free to experiment! Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips all work for your own custom twist.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and gluten-free graham crackers to keep all the nostalgia without the gluten.

Why do my bars seem underbaked in the center?

Because of the gooey marshmallows and chocolate, the center will look soft when you pull the pan out. Letting the bars cool fully firms them up for clean slices and gooey (not runny) centers.

Can I double or halve the recipe?

Yes! Halve it for an 8×8-inch pan, or double everything and use two pans for a big crowd. Just watch your baking time—thicker bars might need a few extra minutes.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve tasted these Gooey S’mores Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars, you’ll see why they’re an instant favorite in any dessert line-up. They deliver everything you love about classic s’mores, but in the easiest, most shareable format. So go ahead and whip up a pan—your friends and family will thank you for the delicious nostalgia trip!

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