Okay, so picture this: you’re craving that gooey, chocolatey, crunchy goodness of s’mores, but you’re stuck inside, or maybe just feeling a little lazy (no judgment here!). That’s where these amazing **No Bake Smores Bars** come in! Seriously, they are my go-to when I need a dessert fix FAST. They capture all those classic campfire flavors without needing to light a single match. My kids go absolutely wild for these, and honestly? So do I. I’ve been whipping up simple, crowd-pleasing treats for years, and these no-bake wonders are definitely at the top of my “easy wins” list. They’re just so incredibly simple to make, and the payoff is huge. Get ready for pure s’mores bliss!
Why You’ll Love These No Bake Smores Bars
Okay, besides the obvious (they’re S’MORES!), there are so many reasons these **No Bake Smores Bars** are going to become your new favorite thing. Seriously, get ready to fall in love because:
- They’re ridiculously quick to throw together. Like, think under 20 minutes total time.
- NO OVEN REQUIRED! Perfect for hot days or when you just don’t want to heat up the kitchen.
- You get that exact, perfect combination of gooey marshmallow, melty chocolate, and crunchy graham cracker. It’s pure nostalgia in every bite.
- They’re made with super simple ingredients you probably already have around.
- They’re fantastic for sharing (or, you know, not sharing… I won’t tell!). They’re always a hit at parties or just for a fun treat at home.
Gathering Ingredients for Your No Bake Smores Bars
Alright, let’s get down to business! The beauty of these **No Bake Smores Bars** is that you only need a handful of simple things. Here’s what you’ll want to grab:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter: This is our base! It helps melt down the marshmallows and holds everything together.
- 1 (10.5 ounce) package mini marshmallows, divided: You’ll use most of these to create that gooey binder, and save some to sprinkle on top for extra marshmallowy goodness. Mini ones work best for melting evenly!
- 12 whole graham crackers, broken into pieces: The essential crunch! Break them into rough, bite-sized chunks. Don’t stress about perfect pieces, it’s supposed to be a little rustic!
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips: Because what are s’mores without chocolate?! Milk chocolate is classic here, giving you that sweet, melty layer on top.
See? Nothing fancy! Just these four simple ingredients are all it takes to make truly authentic-tasting **No Bake Smores Bars**.
Equipment Needed for No Bake Smores Bars
Okay, before we dive into the fun part, let’s make sure you have the right tools ready to go. Luckily, you don’t need anything fancy for these **No Bake Smores Bars**! Just grab these basics:
- A **9×13-inch baking pan:** This is the perfect size for a nice batch.
- A **large saucepan:** Big enough to melt your butter and marshmallows without overflowing.
- A **sturdy stirring spoon:** You’ll need to mix those gooey ingredients!
- And of course, your **measuring cups:** To make sure you get those ingredient amounts just right.
That’s it! See? Super simple.
Step-by-Step How to Prepare No Bake Smores Bars
Alright, let’s get cooking! Well, melting and mixing, really. Making these **No Bake Smores Bars** is seriously one of the easiest things you’ll ever do. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying gooey, chocolatey perfection in no time.
Melting the Marshmallow Mixture
First things first, you need to get your pan ready. Grab that 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a good grease. Butter or cooking spray works great here – you just want to make sure these amazing bars don’t stick! Next, pop your stick of butter into your large saucepan over medium heat. Let it melt completely. Once it’s all liquidy and happy, add in *most* of your mini marshmallows. Remember that little bit you saved? Keep those aside for later. Stir constantly with your sturdy spoon. The marshmallows will start to get all gooey and melty. Keep stirring until it’s super smooth and there are no lumps left. This is your sticky, wonderful base!
Combining Ingredients
Now, take that saucepan off the heat immediately. Don’t leave it on the burner! Quickly toss in your broken graham cracker pieces. Stir, stir, stir! You want to make sure every single piece of graham cracker gets coated in that warm, gooey marshmallow mixture. It’ll be sticky and a little messy, but that’s part of the fun. Just keep mixing until everything is combined and the graham crackers are fully covered.
Finishing Touches and Cooling
Okay, time to get it into the pan! Pour or spoon the mixture into your prepared 9×13-inch pan. Now, you need to press it down evenly. You can use the back of your spoon or even lightly grease your hands (careful, it’s warm!) to press the mixture firmly into the pan. Get it nice and flat. This is where those reserved marshmallows and chocolate chips come in! Sprinkle them generously all over the top of the pressed mixture. The warmth from the bars will start to melt the chocolate chips slightly – yum! Now, the hardest part: waiting. You absolutely HAVE to let these **No Bake Smores Bars** cool completely before you even think about cutting them. This lets everything set up properly. Trust me, it’s worth the wait for clean slices! Once they’re cool, you can cut them into squares and dig in!
Pro Tips for Perfect No Bake Smores Bars
Okay, you’ve got the basics down, but here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years to make your **No Bake Smores Bars** go from great to absolutely perfect:
- Chilling is your friend! While they do cool and set up at room temperature, popping the pan in the fridge for about 30 minutes before you cut them makes a HUGE difference. You’ll get much cleaner slices instead of a sticky mess.
- Chocolate variations are totally okay. While milk chocolate chips are classic s’mores, feel free to switch it up! Semi-sweet or even dark chocolate chips sprinkled on top are delicious too. It just depends on how sweet you like things.
- Don’t skimp on the grease! Make sure that 9×13-inch pan is *really* well-greased. These bars are sticky, and you want them to come out easily. Butter, cooking spray, or even a little homemade cake goop works wonders here.
- Press firmly, but not too hard. When you press the mixture into the pan, you want it to be even and compact, but don’t crush it into oblivion. A nice, firm press is all you need to get a good, solid bar.
Follow these little tips, and you’ll be a **No Bake Smores Bars** pro in no time!
Variations on Your No Bake Smores Bars
While the classic version of these **No Bake Smores Bars** is absolutely divine, don’t be afraid to get a little creative! This recipe is super forgiving and lends itself well to fun twists. Here are a few ideas I love:
- Peanut Butter Blast: Whisk a couple of tablespoons of creamy peanut butter into the melted marshmallow mixture before adding the graham crackers. S’mores and peanut butter? Yes, please!
- Chocolate Graham Goodness: Swap out the plain graham crackers for chocolate ones! It adds an extra layer of chocolatey flavor that’s just fantastic.
- Candy Mix-Ins: Feel free to sprinkle other fun things on top with the chocolate chips and marshmallows. Chopped Reese’s cups, mini M&Ms, or even a drizzle of caramel would be amazing additions to your **No Bake Smores Bars**.
Seriously, play around and see what you like best! These bars are a perfect canvas for your dessert imagination.
Common Questions About No Bake Smores Bars
Okay, I get lots of questions about these easy treats! Here are a few common ones about making and keeping your **No Bake Smores Bars** perfect:
- How should I store these bars? The best way to keep your **No Bake Smores Bars** fresh is in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer them with parchment paper if stacking to prevent sticking.
- Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini ones? You absolutely can! You’ll just need to measure the amount differently. A good rule of thumb is that one 10.5-ounce bag of mini marshmallows is roughly equivalent to about 5 cups of regular-sized marshmallows. Just make sure they are fully melted and smooth before adding the graham crackers.
- How long do these bars last? If stored properly, your No Bake Smores Bars should stay good and chewy for about 3-4 days. Honestly though, they usually disappear much faster than that in my house!
- Can I freeze them? Yes! You can freeze the cooled and cut bars in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
Hopefully, that clears up any questions you might have before diving in!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so while we’re all about enjoying treats here, sometimes it’s helpful to have an idea of what’s in them! Keep in mind that this is just an *estimate* for these No Bake Smores Bars. The exact numbers can totally change depending on the specific brands of butter, marshmallows, and chocolate chips you use. But based on standard ingredients, here’s a rough idea of what one bar (if you cut them into 16 squares) might contain:
- Calories: Around 250
- Fat: About 13g (with roughly 7g Saturated Fat, 5g Unsaturated Fat, and thankfully, 0g Trans Fat!)
- Cholesterol: Roughly 25mg
- Sodium: Around 100mg
- Carbohydrates: About 30g (including around 1g Fiber and 25g Sugar)
- Protein: Approximately 2g
Again, this is just a general guide! The most important thing is enjoying these delicious bars in moderation. Yum!
Enjoy Your Delicious No Bake Smores Bars
Seriously, that’s it! You’ve just made a batch of incredibly easy and absolutely delicious **No Bake Smores Bars**. Go ahead, grab a square (or two!) and enjoy that perfect gooey-chocolatey-crunchy bite. I promise you, they are just as good as the campfire classic, maybe even better because they’re so simple to make! Give them a try, and let me know what you think in the comments below. Did you add any fun variations? I’d love to hear about it! And if you loved them as much as I do, please consider rating the recipe. Happy no-baking!
Print
No Bake Smores Bars: 4 Amazing Ingredients
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
Easy no-bake bars with graham crackers, marshmallow, and chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 (10.5 ounce) package mini marshmallows, divided
- 12 whole graham crackers, broken into pieces
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 8 cups of the marshmallows (reserve the rest) and stir until melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat. Add graham cracker pieces and stir to coat.
- Press mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle remaining marshmallows and chocolate chips over the top.
- Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
- For easier cutting, chill the bars for about 30 minutes before slicing.
- You can substitute milk chocolate chips with semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: smores bars, no bake dessert, graham cracker dessert, marshmallow dessert, chocolate dessert