The Ultimate Soft Chewy S’mores Crumble Bars Recipe: Gooey, Delicious, & Mess-Free!
Imagine all the magical, nostalgic flavors of a classic campfire S’more, but elevated to an entirely new level of deliciousness and convenience. Introducing our Soft Chewy S’mores Crumble Bars – a dessert so irresistibly good, it’s destined to become your new obsession! These bars feature a deeply satisfying gooey milk chocolate and marshmallow center, perfectly sandwiched between two layers of a soft, buttery graham cracker crumble. Forget the sticky fingers and unevenly toasted marshmallows of traditional S’mores; these bars deliver pure S’mores bliss in every single bite, without the fuss.
I recently had the pleasure of participating in S’mores Week hosted by Lisa over at Wine and Glue, and it was an absolute blast! My love for S’mores-inspired desserts runs deep, and these Soft Chewy S’mores Crumble Bars are undoubtedly a crowning achievement. They capture the essence of what makes S’mores so beloved, then enhance it with a luxurious texture and balanced flavor that you simply won’t find anywhere else.
Why These S’mores Crumble Bars Will Change Your Dessert Game
I’m not exaggerating when I say these bars will utterly transform your perception of S’mores. You will find yourself dreaming about them, craving their unique blend of textures and tastes. Prepare to be spoiled – a traditional S’more might never quite measure up again! But don’t just take my word for it; let’s delve into what makes these bars so extraordinarily captivating:
- **The Base:** A thick, soft, and buttery graham cracker crumble forms the foundation. Unlike the often-stiff traditional graham cracker, this base is wonderfully yielding, providing the perfect counterpoint to the gooey layers.
- **The First Layer of Gooeyness:** A generous blanket of marshmallow fluff is spread over the graham cracker base, ready to melt into a cloud of sweet stickiness.
- **The Decadent Chocolate Layer:** A rich, smooth, and creamy milk chocolate ganache is then poured directly over the marshmallow fluff. We’re talking high-quality chocolate here, ensuring an intensely satisfying cocoa flavor.
- **The Topping:** Finally, more of that delightful graham cracker crumble is scattered on top, along with a scattering of mini marshmallows. This creates a beautiful golden crust with delightful pockets of toasted marshmallow.
The Secret to Their Irresistible Gooey Center
The true magic of these bars happens in the oven. As they bake, the warm chocolate ganache gently melts and intertwines with the marshmallow fluff. This creates a continuously soft, exquisitely chocolaty, and perfectly gooey marshmallow center. It’s an experience that closely replicates that sublime moment when you bite into a campfire S’more, and the molten marshmallow perfectly blends with the partially melted chocolate. However, these bars offer a consistent, luxurious version of that experience from edge to edge, every single time.
What truly sets these S’mores crumble bars apart is the transformation of the graham cracker element. While traditional S’mores can be a delightful, messy affair, let’s be honest: the crunchy graham cracker that inevitably crumbles everywhere isn’t always ideal, especially if you’re not actually sitting around a campfire. With these bars, the graham cracker “sandwich” is reimagined as a soft, chewy, and utterly cohesive crumble. This eliminates the mess entirely, allowing all the magical, familiar S’mores flavors to blend seamlessly into one cohesive, explosion of taste and texture with every bite.
Simple Steps to S’mores Perfection: Tips for Success
Creating these heavenly bars is surprisingly straightforward, and the detailed recipe below will guide you through each step. However, a few tips can help ensure your Soft Chewy S’mores Crumble Bars are nothing short of perfect:
- **Room Temperature Butter:** For the graham cracker crumble, ensure your butter is at room temperature. This is crucial for achieving that light, fluffy, and well-incorporated mixture that forms the ideal base and topping.
- **Graham Flour Alternative:** While graham flour adds an authentic depth to the crumble, feel free to use whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour if you don’t have it on hand. The results will still be delicious!
- **Quality Chocolate Matters:** For the milk chocolate ganache, investing in high-quality milk chocolate (like Ghirardelli, as I prefer) makes a significant difference. Better chocolate melts smoother and provides a richer, more satisfying flavor.
- **Spreading Marshmallow Fluff:** Marshmallow fluff can be notoriously sticky. A helpful trick is to warm your spatula or spoon slightly or even coat it lightly with butter before attempting to spread the fluff over the pre-baked base. It works like a charm for a smooth, even layer.
- **Cooling is Key:** I know it’s tempting to dive right in, but allowing the bars to cool completely before cutting is absolutely essential. This not only prevents a “hot mess” (as the original recipe wisely warns) but also allows the layers to set properly, resulting in clean, beautiful slices and the ideal chewy texture.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These Soft Chewy S’mores Crumble Bars are a showstopper on their own, perfect for potlucks, parties, or a special treat at home. Serve them slightly warm for an extra gooey experience, or at room temperature for a firmer, chewier bite. They pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a glass of cold milk.
Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ideas for variations:
- **Dark Chocolate Delight:** Swap out the milk chocolate for dark chocolate for a more intense, less sweet S’mores experience.
- **Nutty S’mores:** Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the graham cracker crumble for an added crunch and depth of flavor.
- **Spice It Up:** A pinch of cinnamon in the graham cracker crumble can add a subtle warmth that complements the S’mores flavors beautifully.
- **Caramel Drizzle:** A light drizzle of salted caramel over the top before serving adds an extra layer of decadence.
And if you need any more convincing that these bars are seriously that delicious, consider the rave reviews they’ve garnered. One enthusiastic individual even told me I should sell each tiny bar for $2! Thank you, random guy on the 30th floor – you truly made my week. Seriously. The *whole* week. It’s this kind of feedback that reaffirms how truly special these Soft Chewy S’mores Crumble Bars are.
So, whether you’re yearning for a taste of summer camp nostalgia or simply seeking an extraordinarily delicious dessert, these Soft Chewy S’mores Crumble Bars are the answer. They offer all the beloved elements of S’mores – the toasted marshmallow, the melted chocolate, the graham cracker crunch (but soft and chewy here!) – in a refined, easy-to-eat bar format. Get ready to bake a batch that will disappear faster than you can say “S’mores!”
Don’t forget to scroll down to check out the full recipe and discover all the other delicious S’mores inspired creations that everyone dreamed up!
Soft Chewy Smores Crumble Bars
Pin Recipe
Comment
Print Recipe
Ingredients
For the Crumble Base & Topping:
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons graham flour you can also use whole wheat flour or all-purpose
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Remaining Layers
- 4.5 oz milk chocolate high quality, I use Ghirardelli
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 6.5 oz jar of marshmallow fluff
- ½ cup mini marshmallows or more to your taste
Instructions
Make the Crumble Base & Topping:
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8” x 8” baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the graham cracker crumbs, graham flour (or your chosen alternative), salt, and baking powder. Set this dry mixture aside.
-
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take approximately 2 minutes.
-
Reduce the mixer to medium speed. Add the large egg and continue mixing until it is fully incorporated, about another 2 minutes. Stir in the pure vanilla extract until just combined.
-
Lower the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the dry graham cracker mixture in several additions, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed to ensure everything is well combined into a crumbly dough.
-
Scoop about 2/3 of this crumble mixture into your prepared baking pan. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, press and spread it out evenly to form the base of your bars. Bake this base in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set and the top just begins to turn a golden brown. Cover the remaining 1/3 of the crumble mixture and refrigerate it until you are ready to use it for the topping.
-
Remove the baked base from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan while you prepare your ganache and other fillings.
Prepare Milk Chocolate Ganache:
-
Combine the milk chocolate (chopped or chips) and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power in 20-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Be careful not to overheat. Let the ganache cool slightly to thicken to a spreadable consistency before using.
Assemble your bars:
-
Once the crumble base is cool, carefully spread the marshmallow fluff over it using an offset spatula. For easier spreading and minimal mess, you can lightly coat your spatula in butter or warm it slightly under hot water before tackling the sticky fluff.
-
Rinse and dry your spatula, then pour the slightly thickened milk chocolate ganache over the marshmallow fluff layer. Gently spread it evenly across the entire surface.
-
Retrieve the remaining graham cracker crumble topping from the refrigerator. Evenly crumble it over the top of the ganache in small, delightful bits. Then, sprinkle your desired amount of mini marshmallows over the crumble topping.
-
Return the pan to the preheated oven and bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the mini marshmallows on top are lightly toasted and puffed.
-
This is perhaps the hardest step: allow the S’mores crumble bars to cool completely in the pan before attempting to cut and serve them. This patience is crucial to ensure the gooey layers set properly and you get clean, beautiful slices. If you cut them while warm, it will indeed be a delicious but messy adventure!
Notes
Nutrition
Before You Go
Craving more delightful treats? Explore our other delicious, chef-developed recipes for Cookies, or continue straight down the chocolate path with my decadent Chocolate Mousse Recipe! Don’t forget to follow for more inspiring desserts and baking tips!