There’s something truly comforting about the classic flavors of s’mores. The toasted marshmallows, creamy chocolate, and crisp graham crackers evoke memories of cozy campfires and carefree evenings. With this s’more bars recipe, those nostalgic flavors are transformed into a dessert that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. In this article, you’ll learn how to make rich, satisfying s’more bars from scratch, discover smart ingredient swaps, and get answers to common preparation questions. Whether you’re craving a crowd-pleasing dessert or a simple after-dinner treat, these bars deliver every time.
The Warm Story Behind S’more Bars
From Fireside Memories to Everyday Sweetness
Hi there! I’m Emma, the heart and soul behind eastmealstodo.com. Growing up, the smell of toasted marshmallows meant joy was around the corner. S’mores were more than just a dessert—they were part of family nights, holiday weekends, and summer break traditions. Now, as a home cook and recipe developer, I wanted to bring that same joy into the kitchen in a more practical and delicious way.
That’s how this s’more bars recipe was born. It’s everything you love about classic s’mores layered into a single, bake-and-slice dessert. No bonfire, no skewers, and absolutely no mess. Just one pan, one oven, and a whole lot of flavor.
The first time I made these, I was testing recipes for a cozy fall gathering. Alongside cranberry white chocolate blondies and hot cocoa cheesecake bars, these s’more bars stood out for their gooey texture and chocolatey depth. Everyone loved them—and I knew they’d be a hit for readers, too.
Whether it’s the thick graham cracker crust, the rich layer of chocolate chips, or the golden marshmallow topping, these bars capture everything I love about comfort food. And I’m excited to share this version that’s been tried, tested, and devoured more times than I can count.
Why These S’more Bars Are a Pantry-Friendly Favorite
This recipe comes together using ingredients you likely already have at home. Here’s what you need:
- Graham crackers: The essential base. You’ll crush them and blend them with butter to create a sturdy, toasty crust.
- Butter: Adds moisture and helps bind the crust.
- Sweetened condensed milk: The glue that melts into the chocolate and gives the filling its signature texture.
- Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips: You can even mix both if you’re feeling creative.
- Mini marshmallows: They roast perfectly in the oven and add that essential gooey top layer.
The simplicity of the ingredients makes this s’more bars recipe ideal for busy families, casual gatherings, or when you need a last-minute dessert. Plus, you can easily make substitutions. Don’t have graham crackers on hand? Use crushed digestive biscuits, pretzels, or brownies with almond flour as a base twist.
The best part is how versatile these bars are. They’re just as fitting on a summer picnic table as they are on a holiday dessert board. In fact, I recently added them to a fall dessert spread that included pumpkin patch brownies and matcha brownies, and they held their own in every bite.
These bars strike the perfect balance between rich chocolate and airy marshmallow. One bite and you’ll understand why they’re one of the most beloved recipes in my rotation. Let’s move on to how to make them next.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making S’more Bars
Simple Instructions with Maximum Flavor
This s’more bars recipe comes together with just a few easy steps and about 10–15 minutes of prep time. Once baked, the layers melt together into a sweet, gooey square that tastes just like the classic fireside treat.
Here’s how to make them from scratch:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- Optional: pinch of sea salt, ½ tsp vanilla extract, or crushed pretzels for added crunch
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a square 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy lifting.
- Mix the crust: In a bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well combined. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan to create a firm base.
- Pour the condensed milk evenly over the crust layer.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips across the top, followed by the mini marshmallows.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Cool completely before slicing. Chill in the fridge for cleaner cuts.
That’s it! You’ve got yourself a batch of rich, gooey, perfectly layered s’more bars.
If you love low-effort recipes that deliver bold flavor, these will quickly become a favorite—just like my no bake cookie bars or halloween cream cheese swirl brownies, which use similar one-pan magic.
Flavor Variations and Customization Tips
The beauty of this s’more bars recipe lies in its flexibility. Once you’ve mastered the classic version, try experimenting with these fun twists:
- Nutty Addition: Add chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts between the chocolate and marshmallow layers for crunch.
- Salty-Sweet: Swap part of the graham crackers with crushed pretzels for a salty bite that pairs beautifully with the sweet filling.
- Cookies & Cream: Use chocolate graham crackers or even crushed Oreos as the crust base.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Drizzle melted peanut butter over the chocolate layer before baking for added richness.
You can even go wild and top the finished bars with crushed apple snickerdoodles or cookie crumbs for added texture.
Whether you keep it classic or get creative, this s’more bars recipe is a fantastic canvas for flavor. The layers always hold up, the chocolate always melts just right, and the marshmallows puff into golden, gooey perfection every single time.
Ingredient Substitutes and Helpful Measurements
What to Use Instead of Graham Crackers
One of the most common questions I get about this s’more bars recipe is: What can I use instead of graham crackers? Whether you’re out of them or just want a twist, there are several delicious alternatives that work beautifully as a crust:
- Digestive biscuits: Popular in the UK and easily found in U.S. stores now, they give a slightly less sweet, more cookie-like base.
- Chocolate wafer cookies: For chocolate lovers, this swap creates a deeper cocoa flavor that pairs perfectly with the chocolate layer.
- Crushed pretzels: Add a salty crunch and contrast the sweetness of the condensed milk and marshmallows.
- Shortbread cookies: Buttery and tender, they make the bars taste like a cross between a cookie and a classic s’more.
- Crushed cereal: Cereals like Golden Grahams or cornflakes can be crushed and combined with butter to make a quick crust in a pinch.
If you’re baking for a gluten-free crowd, gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour cookie crumbs are great options. I’ve even used leftover chocolate crinkle cookies once—crushed into crumbs and pressed into the base—for a richer, cookie-dough-like bottom.
No matter what substitute you choose, make sure the crust is well-combined with melted butter and firmly pressed into your baking dish. This ensures the bars hold their shape after baking and slicing.
How Many S’more Bars You Can Make from One Box of Crackers
Wondering how far one box of graham crackers will go for this recipe? Let’s break it down.
Most standard graham cracker boxes in the U.S. weigh about 14.4 oz (408g) and contain three inner sleeves, each with roughly 9 full crackers. That adds up to 27 full crackers, or about 3¾ cups of crumbs when crushed.
This s’more bars recipe calls for 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs, which translates to about 14–16 full crackers. That means:
| Graham Crackers | Crumbs Yield | How Many Batches |
|---|---|---|
| 14.4 oz box | ~3¾ cups | Enough for 1.5 to 2 batches |
If you’re making a double batch (which I often do, especially for potlucks), one full box is just about perfect. You can make 18–24 bars depending on how you slice them: larger squares for dessert plates, or smaller bites for a party tray.
You can also portion them out for lunchboxes or freeze individual bars wrapped in parchment and sealed in a bag. They thaw in minutes and still taste incredible—just like apple snickerdoodles or loaded brownie cheesecake cups do when prepped ahead.
When you know the yield and measurements, it’s easier to scale the recipe up or down based on the occasion. And with such a flexible base, these bars are ideal for big-batch baking or quick weekday sweets.
Tips, FAQs, and Final Thoughts on S’more Bars
What Are S’mores Bites and How Are They Different?
S’mores bites are essentially a mini version of the classic s’mores experience—think bite-sized treats built for snacking. While this s’more bars recipe gives you layered, sliceable squares, s’mores bites are often made in mini muffin tins or rolled into balls and chilled.
Here’s how they differ:
| Feature | S’more Bars Recipe | S’mores Bites |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Square bars (8×8 or 9×9 pan) | Mini round bites (muffin tin or rolled) |
| Prep Style | Layered and baked | No-bake or lightly toasted |
| Ingredients | Graham crust, chocolate, marshmallow | Crushed crackers, chocolate, marshmallow, butter |
| Serving Size | 12–16 bars | 20–24 small bites |
S’mores bites are great for quick treats or school-friendly desserts, but they don’t quite match the gooey texture you get with this s’more bars recipe. The baked marshmallow top and the condensed milk layer bring that true fireside flavor, while the bites lean more toward snack bars or dessert balls.
If you’re into small, snackable desserts, though, you’ll also love mini biscoff cheesecakes or cottage cheese chocolate cookies. They’re easy, fun, and just as satisfying.
Storing and Serving Suggestions
One of the great things about these s’more bars is their shelf life and portability. Here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious:
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Fridge: Keep chilled for up to 1 week. They’ll firm up more but still taste amazing.
- Freezer: Wrap bars individually in parchment paper and freeze in a zip-top bag. Thaw at room temp before serving.
Serve them cold, at room temp, or even pop them in the microwave for 8–10 seconds if you want that soft, just-baked texture again.
you can store s’more bars at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week—just follow FDA storage guidelines for best results.”
Pair with hot cocoa on a cozy night or include them in a dessert board with caramel apple dip and sweet coconut cream pancakes for a fun family treat.
S’more Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until combined. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan to form the crust.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust layer.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly across the top, followed by the mini marshmallows.
- Optionally add sea salt, vanilla extract, or crushed pretzels for extra flavor.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the marshmallows are golden and the edges are bubbly.
- Let cool completely. For clean cuts, refrigerate 30–60 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition
Notes
From your stove to our hearts
share your delicious take!FAQ Section
What ingredients are needed for s’mores?
Traditional s’mores are made with graham crackers, milk chocolate bars, and marshmallows. This s’more bars recipe takes those flavors and layers them into a rich, oven-baked dessert using graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and mini marshmallows.
What are s’mores bites?
S’mores bites are small, no-bake or lightly toasted snacks made by combining crushed graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallow into mini bite-sized forms. They’re fun, portable, and often made in muffin tins or rolled like truffles.
What can I use instead of graham crackers for s’mores?
Try crushed digestive biscuits, pretzels, shortbread cookies, or even crushed cereal. Chocolate wafer cookies also add depth and richness. Make sure to mix your crumbs with melted butter to form a sturdy crust.
How many s’mores can one box of graham crackers make?
A standard 14.4 oz box of graham crackers yields about 3¾ cups of crumbs, enough for 1.5–2 batches of s’more bars. Depending on how you slice them, one full batch makes 12–16 bars, so a box gives you roughly 24–32 servings.
Final Thoughts on S’more Bars
This s’more bars recipe brings back the nostalgia of campfire nights in a way that’s simple, fuss-free, and totally satisfying. With just a few pantry staples and an oven, you can recreate the magic of s’mores any time of year—no bonfire required. Whether you stick to the classic version or experiment with crushed pretzels, peanut butter, or chocolate cookie crusts, these bars are as fun to make as they are to eat.
I hope you’ll enjoy baking (and devouring) them as much as my family does. And if you’re looking for more cozy, rich desserts, be sure to check out recipes like matcha crinkle cookies or banana walnut bread—they’re just as delightful.