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Home » Dessert

Indoor S'mores Bars

Published: Aug 30, 2020 · Modified: Jan 30, 2021 by Ash, The Grocery Addict · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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There's something about s'mores that screams childhood happiness. Melty chocolate, perfectly golden marshmallows with runny middles, and crunchy graham crackers - it's a match made in heaven. They're sweet without being cloying. They're easy to make more "adult" with darker chocolate. And they're exceptionally craveable. These Indoor S'mores Bars tick all the boxes without needing access to the great outdoors.

A hand holding a stack of three indoor s'mores bars with traditional s'mores ingredients in the background

Table of Contents

  • Why I Love This Recipe
  • Crispy Cereal Bars Get a S'mores-y Makeover
  • Using What You've Got! Repurposing Stale Marshmallows
  • Adjusting for Everyone
  • There's No Single Right Way to S'mores
  • Need More Packable Dessert Ideas?

Why I Love This Recipe

Weather doesn't always cooperate with cravings, so these Indoor S'mores Bars are a perfectly wonderful substitute you can make over the stove. There's a saying here in Tennessee: "If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes." That's because the weather here can change on a dime. It'll be sunny, humid and sweltering hot one minute, and before you know it, there's a torrential downpour.

So far this summer, we've only made s'mores twice. This is clearly a travesty, and I was completely prepared to fix it. That is, until the weather decided to make a dark and twisty turn with the after effects of Laura. We've had our fair share of thunderstorms and rain the past few days, and we unfortunately don't have a covered porch where we could roast our marshmallows.

A tall stack of indoor s'mores bars on a yellow and white polka dot wax wrapper

After quickly going through the seven stages of grief over my lost s'mores, I realized there must be a way to make a substitute that would check all the boxes. Now, I've tried making traditional s'mores in the toaster oven, and it just doesn't do it for me. The graham crackers get kinda stale tasting, and the marshmallows don't react the same as they do over fire. I needed a different, specifically indoor s'mores approach.

Crispy Cereal Bars Get a S'mores-y Makeover

When I opened my pantry, one of my favorite cereals popped out. Golden Grahams! (Well, the budget Aldi version, because it's really the same thing for about a third the price.) So I started thinking about a crispy cereal treat, but s'mores-ified. All I needed was to add some chocolate, and I'd be there. S'mores bars FTW!

Using What You've Got! Repurposing Stale Marshmallows

I also realized that this could be the perfect opportunity to use up some less than optimal marshmallows that have been lurking in the pantry since last year. I like to buy my marshmallows from Trader Joe's because they're vegan and therefore easier to share with a larger crowd. (These vegan marshmallows are a great substitute, but slightly more expensive.)

Up close and personal shot of an indoor s'mores bar

However, unlike non-vegan marshmallows, something chemically different happens when they get stale. Rather than just becoming dried out, the vegan version melds into a single piece and becomes a little grainy. Does anyone know why that is? If so, please educate me in the comments. I'm so curious.

After melting down the marshmallows with butter, vanilla and chocolate chips, the mix wasn't quite as cohesive as it should've been had my marshmallows been fresh. I added in about a quarter cup of the best sticky dessert item I could think of - corn syrup - and the mixture turned glossy and perfect. I tipped in the faux Golden Grahams, stirred them to coat, and finally added in a few fresh marshmallows that I had cut into mini pieces. All that was left to do was to pour the mix into a 9x13 and be patient.

Overhead shot of a packed lunch with a banana, a bento box with tomatoes, cheese, and hummus, a box of whole milk and a s'mores bar

TIP: If your marshmallows are separating over heat, corn syrup can revive them. You can also use creamy peanut butter instead!

Adjusting for Everyone

If you're looking to feed these to a crowd with food sensitivities, don't fret! There's ways to adjust so you can include everyone.

  • For vegan indoor s'mores, sub in vegan butter sticks, use vegan marshmallows and vegan chocolate.
  • For gluten free s'mores bars, sub in Honey Nut Cheerios (or a knock off version if you're feeling frugal like me. Just be sure to make sure they're also gluten free!)
Hand holding stack of three indoor s'mores

There's No Single Right Way to S'mores

These indoor s'mores bars also offer lots of easy ways to riff on the traditional s'mores of childhood. Some ideas:

  • Add in ½ C creamy peanut butter and top with roasted peanuts
  • Stir in your favorite freeze dried fruit to add some tang and crunch. Bananas, raspberries, and strawberries would all be delicious
  • Change out the chocolate! Use a higher cacao percentage for a deeper chocolate flavor. If you're going this route, why not add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso to intensify the flavor? Or ½ teaspoon each of cayenne and cinnamon for a Mexican Hot Chocolate twist?
  • Play with the extracts! Instead of (or in addition to) the vanilla, you can add in ½ teaspoon of mint extract or 1 teaspoon of almond extract for a different flavor profile.

No matter how you mix it, these Indoor S'mores Bars are the perfect alternative for those times you just don't have access to an open flame. They're also a great make-ahead dessert for grill outs, picnics, or even to pack in your kids' lunchboxes to remind them of your last family camping trip. Till next time, friends! I hope you have a healthy and delicious day.

Close up shot of a s'mores bar as part of a packed lunch
Imagine your sweet kid's (or partner's) face upon discovering one of these Indoor S'mores Bars in a packed lunch!

Need More Packable Dessert Ideas?

Check out these posts:

  • Pecan Butter Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Fat Bombs
  • Everyday Ricotta Cake
  • Cheesecake Dip

If you liked this post, be sure to follow me by signing up for my newsletter or following me on social media!

Indoor S'mores Bars

This mashup of your favorite summertime dessert and easy crispy cereal bars are nearly infinitely adaptable and a great way to bring in the flavors of summer all year round.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Cooling Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 235 kcal

Equipment

  • 9 x 13 pan
  • Large Saucepan
  • Silicone (Rubber) Spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box Graham Cereal Crisps
  • 1 bag Marshmallows
  • 6 tablespoon Butter
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • ¼ C Light Corn Syrup (optional, in case marshmallows are grainy)
  • 1 ½ C Chocolate Chips semi-sweet, milk, bittersweet

Instructions
 

  • Remove 1 handful of marshmallows from bag. If using large marshmallows, use scissors to cut into mini size marshmallows. Set aside.
  • In saucepan over medium low heat, melt butter. Add in remaining marshmallows and stir until smooth. If using stale marshmallows and mix is grainy, add in corn syrup. Add in chocolate chips and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in cereal. Finally, stir in reserved marshmallows.
  • Pour into ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Smooth down using silicone spatula. Let rest for about an hour until firm. Enjoy!

Notes

ALLERGY OPTIONS:
  • For vegan indoor s'mores, sub in vegan butter sticks, use vegan marshmallows and vegan chocolate.
  • For gluten free s'mores bars, sub in Honey Nut Cheerios (or a knock off version if you're feeling frugal like me. Just be sure to make sure they're also gluten free!)
FLAVOR OPTIONS:
  • Add in ½ C creamy peanut butter and ½ C roasted salted peanuts
  • Stir in 1 C of your favorite freeze dried fruit to add some tang and crunch. Bananas, raspberries, and strawberries would all be delicious
  • Change out the chocolate! Use a higher cacao percentage for a deeper chocolate flavor. If you're going this route, why not add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso to intensify the flavor? Or ½ teaspoon each of cayenne and cinnamon for a Mexican Hot Chocolate twist?
  • Play with the extracts! Instead of (or in addition to) the vanilla, you can add in ½ teaspoon of mint extract or 1 teaspoon of almond extract for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 151mgFiber: 2gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 957IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 8mg
Keyword Cheap, Chocolate, Comforting, Dessert, Easy, Fast
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Hey y'all! My name is Ashley, and I'm the Grocery Addict. I'm here to share my best time saving tips, money saving tricks and store bought grocery hacks to make being the CFO (Chief Food Officer) of your family a little easier. All of my recipes are designed for real, busy people - like you! - who want to eat healthy, homemade food on a tight budget. I can't wait to see you in the kitchen!

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