Years ago, our family used to camp over this long weekend in October. We would tent camp in state parks with 4 other families from our neighborhood. Beautiful Fall weather usually reigned, with the perfect combination of warm during the day and cool in the evening. (Except for the time it snowed, but that’s a different post!)  After cooking eggs and browning bagels on camp stoves, daytime activities included hiking and exploring the state park. Quick lunches allowed for more excursions before incredible feasts were were prepared for dinner. Evening adventures included night hikes (flashlights discouraged!) and campfires.

These bars remind me of those trips: days of outdoor fun and evenings around the fire chatting with good friends, while all the kids roasted marshmallows for s’mores. No campfire required for these, though!

S’mores Bars (adapted from seasonsandsuppers.ca) Total Time Required: 50 minutes, Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 30 minutes, Makes: 24 bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (13-14 rectangles)
• 1 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups (5 ounces) mini marshmallows
• 1-3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan, then set it aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Set it aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment to beat together the butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs and beat until the dough is well combined.

Reduce the mixer to low speed and slowly incorporate the flour mixture until it is well combined.

Remove about 1/4 of the dough and set it aside. Press the remaining dough into the prepared pan to form a thin, even layer on the bottom of the pan.

Top the dough with the chocolate chips, then add the marshmallows.

Scatter the reserved dough over the top in clumps, allowing the chocolate and marshmallows to show through in places.

Bake the bars in the preheated oven until the marshmallows are golden brown, about 30-35 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.

Cut it into squares when completely cooled.

The ultimate treat for a campfire!  ~Linda

S’mores Bars (adapted from seasonsandsuppers.ca) Total Time Required: 50 minutes, Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 30 minutes, Makes: 24 bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (13-14 rectangles)
• 1 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups (5 ounces) mini marshmallows
• 1-3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan, then set it aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Set it aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment to beat together the butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs and beat until the dough is well combined. Reduce the mixer to low speed and slowly incorporate the flour mixture until it is well combined.

Remove about 1/4 of the dough and set it aside. Press the remaining dough into the prepared pan to form a thin, even layer on the bottom of the pan. Top the dough with the chocolate chips, then add the marshmallows. Scatter the reserved dough over the top in clumps, allowing the chocolate and marshmallows to show through in places.

Bake the bars in the preheated oven until the marshmallows are golden brown, about 30-35 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely. Cut it into squares when completely cooled.