What’s better than S’mores? S’mores Bars, because they have butter. What’s better than S’mores Bars? Peanut Butter S’mores Bars, because, well, peanut butter. Duh.
Today I was on the phone and my nephew started tugging on my arm. “Not now Eli I’m on the phone.” So he whispered very quietly, “Truman is in the fireplace.” Yes, my 16 month old son. Not hands-in-the-soot. WHOLE BODY in the fireplace.
It was one of those parenting moments where you know it’s going to be funny later, so I grabbed my phone to take a picture, but by then he had noticed me and was crawling out (onto our white carpet). I started to try to tempt him back inside, just for the photo, but then I saw my large, street-facing window and could just hear the 911 conversation in my head: “Yes, I’m watching her right now. She’s forcing her baby into the fireplace. He’s screaming! Oh, he’s filthy. NOW SHE’S TAKING A PICTURE!!!”
We live in such a great neighborhood, but it’s true that sometimes I feel like I’m the only mom around who is not giving my kids a bath every single night, feeding them organic veggies at every meal, and getting a new government-approved carseat every other weekend. I mean don’t get me wrong, if I saw a frazzled lady forcing her baby into the fireplace I would call the cops too, but only after I asked her if she was doing it for a photo.
Have you guys tried making s’mores with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup instead of regular ol’ chocolate? If not you are MISSING OUT. Holy smokes it’s delicious. It’s still summer (please say it’s still summer!) so bust out those graham crackers and try it out. Worth it.
Or just make these Peanut Butter S’mores Bars. They are so rich and gooey and peanut buttery. Seriously, don’t make these if you don’t have any milk. Just don’t. I added peanut butter to the graham dough, as well as a full layer of peanut butter beneath the marshmallow and chocolate. They are melt-in-your mouth soft. I wonder if these would be good with almond flour and almond butter, to make it gluten and peanut free? Let me know if you try it!
Do you guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
Peanut Butter S’mores Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, 1 stick, room temperature
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 & 1/3 cups all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs, about 6 full sheets
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 & 1/2 cups milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips
- 7 ounces marshmallow crème, 1 jar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease an 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan with nonstick spray, or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together butter and 1/4 cup peanut butter. Add the brown sugar and white sugar and beat again.
- Mix in the egg and vanilla; beat thoroughly.
- Dump the flour on top but do not stir. Add the graham cracker crumbs without stirring. Use a small spoon to add the baking powder and salt to the top of the flour. Stir it gently with the flour. Then use the beaters to mix in the dry ingredients, only mixing until barely combined.
- Spread about half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Get your finger tips wet it you have issues spreading.
- Spread 1/3 cup of peanut butter over the top of the dough.
- Sprinkle with all of the chocolate chips.
- Remove the lid and all foil from the top of the marshmallow cream. Microwave for about 20 seconds. Watch it. When the marshmallow cream rises above the lip of the container, take it out. (Warming it makes it so much easier to spread.) Spread all of the marshmallow cream over the chocolate chips.*
- Use your hands to shape pieces of the remaining dough into about 4 or 5 flattened shingles. Add them on top of the marshmallow cream, filling in gaps as you go. It doesn't need to be perfect, just try to cover the whole thing with dough. It's easier for me than spreading.
- Bake at 350 F for 28-30 minutes, until lightly golden on top.
- Let cool (maybe. I mean, if you want.) Cut and serve! With lots of milk. Trust me.
Notes
Nutrition
Try not to eat all the dough. It’s hard, I know. Make sure you add the peanut butter layer on top of the bottom layer of dough.
Make sure you get all the foil off the top of the marshmallow cream. Trust me, microwaving makes it so much easier to spread.
Here is my technique for getting the top crust layer on there. It doesn’t need to be perfect.
Some other peanut butter recipes you might like:
Snickers Brownie Bars
Peanut Butter Chip Chocolate Cookies
The original S’mores Bars (I swear they’re better than they look :)
THESE ARE AMAZING!
I gifted most of these to a friend. We both really enjoyed them. Thanks!
What about just using marshmallows instead of marshmallow cream? I have lots I need to use before they get too old.
Hi Vanessa, I haven’t tried it with regular marshmallows. Let me know how it goes!
Omg I died laughing while reading this! I’m a mom of 4 kids 10,3,3,1 got a pair of Irish twins in there. I would have done the same thing ok kids go back in the fireplace smile for daddy now while my neighbors gawk probably saying omg she’s insane those poor kids lmao thanks for the great laugh
haha! so glad I’m not alone here Sara. sometimes you just gotta get through those crazy days, and try not to send any kids into the fireplace, haha! Thanks for commenting Sara!
Wow, these look amazing!!! I’m planning on making them tomorrow night for a few friends! :)
Thanks Katie, I hope you guys enjoy them! These bars are a huge favorite of mine!
Love love love this recipe! I have made it several times. I’ve altered it for our tastes by omitting the spread of peanut butter and doubling the cookie part. I use Guittard dark chocolate chips and sometimes I also double the amount of marshmallow fluff. So delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe!!
Double cookie, double marshmallow, what could go wrong here?? That sounds amazing! I’ll have to try the Guittard next time! Thanks for the review!! :)
If you wanted to double the recipe (to a 9×13 pan), would you need to change the temperature of the oven, or how long you keep the bars in there?
Hey Amy! No don’t change the oven temp, and I would start checking it at the same time as the original recipe states. I doubt it will take much longer! Enjoy!
It says we need 1/4 cup of peanut butter and then it says we need 1/3 cup of peanut butter again.. how much peanut butter do we actually need??
There is 1/4 cup peanut butter called for in the dough, 1/3 cup is spread on top as one of the layer. Enjoy!
Yeaaah! I could eat a whole pan right now!
These peanut butter s’mores bars are the bomb dot com!! Holy yum! :)
Bahahahahah this story is the best. I mean, photo or it never happened, right?
Also, OMG JUST STOP WITH THE AMAZING DESSERTS ALREADY! You’re killing me.
Karen — I have no words for these. Except, you’re making me fat!!! ;) But whatevs.
haha I do crazy things to take pics of my dog all the time. Too funny!
And holy cow amazingness! These bars! Peanut butter + s’mores in one? I’ll take one please!