Irresistible Gluten-Free S’mores Bars: Your Perfect No-Campfire Summer Treat

Is there anything that captures the essence of summer quite like the classic s’more? The magical combination of crispy graham cracker, luxuriously gooey marshmallow, and rich, melted chocolate evokes a profound sense of nostalgia and pure delight. As soon as the warmer weather arrives, the craving for this iconic treat becomes almost irresistible.

However, for many of us, summer evenings can be simply too hot for traditional campfire activities. Imagine trying to roast marshmallows when the temperature is still hovering around 90 degrees Fahrenheit! That’s where these incredible gluten-free s’mores bars come in. They offer all the beloved flavors and textures of a classic s’more, transformed into an easy-to-eat, mess-free bar that requires no campfire building skills whatsoever.

These bars feature a luscious layer of melted chocolate and a generous blanket of gooey marshmallow, perfectly nestled between two soft and chewy layers of gluten-free graham cracker cookie. Every bite delivers that quintessential s’mores experience, making them an ideal dessert for barbecues, picnics, or a cozy evening at home. Best of all, the ingredients are simple, straightforward, and easily found. Let’s gather what you’ll need to create these crowd-pleasing treats!

Why You’ll Adore These Gluten-Free S’mores Bars

Beyond being absolutely delicious, these gluten-free s’mores bars offer numerous advantages that make them a go-to summer dessert. They are:

• Effortlessly Gluten-Free: Specifically designed to be safe and delicious for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, using readily available gluten-free ingredients.
• No Campfire Required: Enjoy the iconic s’mores flavor without the smoke, fire, or sticky mess of outdoor roasting. Perfect for apartment dwellers, busy families, or overly hot climates.
• Perfectly Portable: Unlike traditional s’mores, these bars are easy to transport and serve, making them ideal for potlucks, parties, or lunchboxes.
• Deeply Nostalgic: They capture the comforting, familiar taste of childhood summers, bringing joy with every bite.
• Simple to Make: With clear, step-by-step instructions, even novice bakers can achieve impressive results.
• Deliciously Gooey: The combination of a chewy graham cracker cookie base, melt-in-your-mouth marshmallow fluff, and rich chocolate creates an irresistible texture sensation.

Essential Ingredients for Your Gluten-Free S’mores Bars

Crafting the perfect s’mores bar begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that delightful balance of flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:

• Softened Butter: This is the foundation of our chewy cookie base. Using softened butter is crucial as it creams more effectively with sugar, incorporating air and creating a light, fluffy texture that contributes to the final chewiness of the bars. Ensure it’s at room temperature for optimal results.
• Brown Sugar: We recommend using dark brown sugar for its rich, molasses notes, which beautifully complement the traditional graham cracker flavor. However, light brown sugar works wonderfully too, providing sweetness and moisture that keeps the cookie layers soft and tender.
• An Egg: A single large egg acts as a binder, adding structure and richness to the cookie dough. It’s best to use a room temperature egg, as this helps it emulsify more smoothly with the creamed butter and sugar, resulting in a more uniform dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Don’t underestimate the power of good vanilla! A generous amount of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth that makes these bars truly irresistible.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: For simplicity and consistent results, we highly recommend a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. These blends are specifically formulated to mimic the properties of wheat flour. Our top choice for cookies, brownies, and bars is King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour. It’s essential that your chosen blend contains xanthan gum, which provides necessary elasticity and structure in gluten-free baking, preventing crumbling.
• Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Crumbs: This is the secret ingredient for an authentic graham cracker cookie flavor! By incorporating crushed gluten-free graham crackers directly into the cookie dough, we achieve a unique taste and texture that truly channels the classic s’more. We often use Pamela’s, but feel free to explore other options after checking out our guide to the best gluten-free graham cracker brands. You’ll want fine crumbs, so a food processor or a rolling pin and a ziploc bag will do the trick!
• Baking Powder: Just a touch of baking powder provides a slight lift and tenderness to the cookie bars, ensuring they aren’t too dense.
• Kosher Salt: Salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile. If you’re using fine table salt, remember to reduce the amount slightly, as it is saltier by volume than kosher salt, to prevent your bars from becoming too salty.
• Marshmallow Fluff or Marshmallow Creme: For the ultimate gooey center, marshmallow fluff or marshmallow creme is absolutely essential. Unlike mini marshmallows, which can get too crispy or create pockets of air during baking, fluff maintains a wonderfully soft, molten texture. We’ve had delicious results with both Kraft Marshmallow Creme and Fluff brand marshmallow fluff, with Fluff being a personal favorite if you can find it.
• Chocolate: The final layer of indulgence! We love using semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips for their rich flavor and how they create beautiful pockets of melted chocolate throughout the bars. If you’re aiming for a more “authentic” s’mores experience, feel free to use a chopped chocolate bar, like a classic Hershey’s bar. Both options promise a delectable chocolatey finish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Gluten-Free S’mores Bars

For precise ingredient measurements, detailed instructions, and additional tips, please refer to the recipe card located further down this page.

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch metal baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, allowing extra overhang on the sides to easily lift the cooled bars later. Parchment paper is generally preferred to prevent scratching your pan and for easier removal.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the softened butter and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This creaming process incorporates air, contributing to the bars’ tender texture.
3. Incorporate Egg & Vanilla: Add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined, ensuring the egg is fully incorporated without overmixing.
4. Add Dry Ingredients: Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the gluten-free flour blend, gluten-free graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and kosher salt. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough bars.
5. Form the Cookie Base Layer: Divide the graham cracker cookie dough. Take approximately two-thirds (2/3) of the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. The dough will be sticky, so take your time and use an offset spatula or lightly floured hands to spread it into an even, consistent layer. Don’t worry if it’s not exactly 2/3 – simply aim for a good, solid base.
6. Spread with Marshmallow Fluff: Next, carefully spread the entire container of marshmallow fluff (or marshmallow creme) over the cookie dough base. Work gently to create an even layer, extending close to the edges of the pan.
7. Sprinkle with Chocolate Chips: Generously sprinkle the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate over the marshmallow layer. Distribute them as evenly as possible to ensure every bite is packed with chocolatey goodness.
8. Add the Top Cookie Layer: With the remaining one-third (1/3) of the graham cracker cookie dough, take small dollops and gently flatten each one between your hands. Place these flattened dollops strategically over the marshmallow and chocolate layers. There won’t be enough dough to cover everything completely, and that’s perfectly fine! Leaving some gaps allows the marshmallow to peek through and caramelize slightly during baking, adding to the visual appeal and delicious gooey texture.
9. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-28 minutes, or until the top cookie layer is set and just beginning to turn golden brown around the edges. When you gently wiggle the pan, the center might still appear a bit jiggly—this is the glorious, gooey marshmallow layer, and it’s completely normal! As long as the top looks baked through, your bars are likely done.
10. Cool Completely for Best Results: This step is critical! For the cleanest cuts and the best overall texture, allow the s’mores cookie bars to cool completely at room temperature. For even neater slices, we highly recommend chilling the bars in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours (or until firm) before cutting. Cold marshmallow cuts beautifully, resulting in pristine, defined bars. Once cut, you can let them come back to room temperature for a few minutes to regain their signature ooey-gooey tenderness before serving.
11. Store Leftovers: Any leftover s’mores bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen bars at room temperature or in the refrigerator before enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tricks for the Best S’mores Bars

How to Achieve Perfectly Neat Cuts: S’mores bars are wonderfully gooey, just like their campfire counterparts, which can make clean slicing a challenge. The ultimate trick for beautifully neat squares is to thoroughly chill the bars before cutting them. When the marshmallow and chocolate layers are cold and firm, they will slice cleanly and effortlessly. After cutting, you can let the bars sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly and regain their signature ooey-gooey texture before serving. A warm knife can also help! Run your knife under hot water, wipe it clean, and make your cuts.

Ensuring Your Bars are Truly Gluten-Free: It’s crucial to diligently check all your ingredients to maintain the gluten-free integrity of this recipe. Always use certified gluten-free graham crackers and gluten-free marshmallow fluff or creme. We typically opt for Pamela’s for our graham cracker crumbs, but we encourage you to consult our comprehensive taste test of gluten-free graham cracker brands to discover other excellent options that suit your preference.

Can I Make These Dairy-Free? Absolutely! These gluten-free s’mores bars can be easily adapted to be dairy-free with a few simple substitutions. Swap out traditional butter for a high-quality vegan butter (we do not recommend using coconut oil or other liquid oils in this recipe, as they will alter the texture of the cookie dough). Additionally, be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips or a chopped dairy-free chocolate bar. The good news is that most marshmallows and marshmallow fluff brands are naturally dairy-free, but it’s always wise to double-check the label.

Can I Use Mini Marshmallows Instead of Fluff? For this particular recipe, we strongly recommend sticking with marshmallow fluff or marshmallow creme. Mini marshmallows tend to create air pockets and can become overly toasted or even crunchy during the baking process, losing that desirable gooey, molten center. Marshmallow fluff, on the other hand, melts into a smooth, even, and delightfully stretchy layer that truly defines the s’mores experience in these bars. If you prefer the texture of toasted marshmallows, you could always add a few mini marshmallows on top during the last few minutes of baking, or even after the bars come out of the oven and lightly toast them with a kitchen torch.

How to Store and Freeze S’mores Bars: To maintain freshness, store cooled s’mores bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. These bars also freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick treat.

Serving Suggestions: These bars are fantastic on their own, but you can elevate the experience! Serve them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or drizzle with a bit of extra chocolate sauce. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving can also enhance the flavors beautifully.

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