I feel like we've reached that time of year when Team Summer and Team Fall are at war. One side is desperately hanging on to the last days of their favorite season, cooking outdoors and hitting the pool. Meanwhile, the other has already gotten out their pumpkin decor and is one cool, breezy morning away from breaking out the boots and cider. It's no secret I'm in the latter group. I grew up in Florida, I had years and years of nonstop summer so I enjoy anything but!
However, I think summer and fall people can find some common ground and I think I have just the thing to bring us all together in this polarizing time. Something that's brought people together since the dawn of marshmallows. That's right, I'm talking about s'mores. Great for warm summer nights around a campfire, and just as perfect for cozy fall evenings next to the fireplace! But I didn't bring you here for just regular ol' s'mores. I'm giving you a recipe for the most versatile and tasty dessert you'll ever find: S'mores Bars!
Whenever Nathan and I have people over, we break out this little number and it's always a crowd pleaser! So enjoy and please take it easy on your opposing summer or fall friends, It's an emotional time for all of us.
Preheat your oven to 350° and butter a glass baking pan. (9X13 is usually what I use, but an 8X8 is fine too.)
Whisk together your all-purpose flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, cream together your butter and both sugars. Then add your eggs and vanilla to your wet mixture.
Slowly add your dry ingredients to your wet ingredients until a dough forms. Press the dough into the pan and then top it all with Nutella (don't skimp!).
~If you aren't a Nutella person, you can sub in Hershey (or any chocolate) bars. Just lay a layer of chocolate on top so as much of the dough is covered as possible.~
Next comes the messy part. Dump the entire 7oz jar of marshmallow creme into the center of your chocolate-covered dough and spread it to the edges. (Same idea as the chocolate only MUCH stickier!) I found it's helpful to butter (or cooking spray) a spatula and use that to spread the marshmallows around as best you can.
~Or you can do what I usually do and get your husband to do it for you! It's much less frustrating and sticky this way!~
Once you've got that done, crush up some extra graham cracker crumbs and lightly, but evenly sprinkle them on top.
~You could stop here, but if you really want to get fancy, coat the top in mini marshmallows and throw some chocolate chips here and there.~
Now you're ready to toss those s'mores bars in the oven! Bake them for 30 minutes (if you've got marshmallows on top they should be golden) and let cool completely before serving.
~You should definitely let it cool, because who wants molten chocolate and marshmallows in their mouth? But you should definitely disregard what I said about letting it cool "completely" because EVERYONE wants warm chocolate and marshmallows in their mouth!~
And there you have it! The perfect dessert for all summer AND fall gatherings that is sure to bring peace to us all!
