Loaded S'more Cookie Bars

These simple s'more bars are reminiscent of a warm summertime bonfire. They are exactly what you would expect from a s'more packed into an easy-to-consume-too-many cookie bar format. With two layers of graham cracker cookie dough and loads of chocolate and marshmallows packed in the middle, this cookie bar is sure to be a hit.

Cookie bars are far superior to cookies for many reasons in my opinion. Instead of baking several dozen individual cookies, you can simply dump all the dough into one pan to save time. This is a major win for a busy, working mother. Cookie bars are pretty hard to mess up, whereas cookies are harder to perfect and easier to burn. Cookie bars tend to be thicker and more moist. The biggest bonus is that they are already sitting in a dish so packing up the leftovers (if there are any) is as simple as a sheet of cling wrap.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups brown sugar

• 1 cup butter

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• 2 cups flour

• 1 tsp. baking powder

• ½ tsp. salt

• 3 heaping cups mini marshmallows

• 1 ¾ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips*

*I like a very loaded cookie bar! You can reduce to 1 ½ cups chocolate chips.

Instructions:

1. Place roughly 2 packets of graham crackers in a large ziplock bag. Hand securely zipped bag and ice cream scoop to your three year old to smash on the floor. Do not skip this step. Your toddler will be thoroughly entertained while you mix the next few ingredients, and you will save time not crushing the crackers entirely yourself.

2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 by 13 baking dish with parchment paper and grease with butter.

3. Cream 1 ½ cups brown sugar and 2 sticks butter.

4. In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs.

5. Add eggs and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix on low until well combined.

6. In a large bowl, integrate 2 cups flour, 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt.

7. Turn your mixer to low speed. Slowly add flour concoction in with the wet ingredients until the dough looks uniform.

8. Press roughly ⅔ of the dough into the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle 3 cups marshmallows and 1 ¾ cups chocolate chips on top. Glob patties of remaining dough over-top. (See pictures.)

9. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. The bars should look golden brown. (Note that it will still be very jiggly when removed. This gooey masterpiece will seem like it is not fully set due to the marshmallow and chocolate interior.)

10. Allow to cool for a minimum of an hour. (The freezer helps speed up the process if you are desperate.) Once cooled, remove the bars by lifting them out using the parchment paper. Cut, serve, and enjoy*!

11. Bonus step: Take the time to tell me whether or not you found the ingredient quantity written into the instructions convenient in the comment section below!

*If you end up eating 5 of these bars in one night, do not feel bad... I totally did the same!