S'mores Cookie Bars

Some food speaks just speaks for itself and does not require a flowery description. Sometimes I just don't feel like writing anything. For some insane reason it's been over a year since I last made this recipe. And just like before, they wouldn't allow me to cut any clean slices...but that's exactly why these minions are so irresistible. They are sticky, messy, and so hard on a healthy summer eating plan.

If you really need further prompting, think back to your very first s'more. Now multiply it's size by 2 and imagine it in the form of a soft, cookie/graham cracker hybrid (with a pinch of salt thrown into the mix, just for good measure).

Please, don't hold me responsible for any stomach aches or extra mileage added to your daily run as a result of this recipe. One simply cannot go through life without enjoying a batch of these diet killers. They would be perfect for the upcoming holiday weekend!



S'mores Cookie Bars
(recipe adapted from Baking Bites)

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (or 7 full-sized crackers, finely ground)
1 tsp baking Powder
1 tsp of salt (I love the salt/chocolate combination. If this is too much, reduce it to 1/4 tsp.)
4 king-sized dark chocolate bars (I used Hershey's Special Dark)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

Method
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with foil, allowing it to hang over the edges for easy removal. Butter/spray the foil and set the pan aside.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan.
Place chocolate bars over dough. 4 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. You may not need all the chocolate so nibble on any pieces you don't use.
Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff.
Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together).
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned.
Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Makes about 14-16 bars.