Go Back
The ingredients for Gingerbread S'mores Bars are simple and fun to gather. Here’s what you will need: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon ground ginger - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1 cup graham cracker crumbs - 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional) Each ingredient plays a key role. Butter gives the bars a rich flavor. The sugars add sweetness and help with texture. Eggs bind everything together. Flour provides structure, while spices bring warmth and depth. Graham cracker crumbs give that classic s'mores taste, and marshmallows and chocolate chips make the bars gooey and indulgent. You can even add white chocolate for extra sweetness if you like. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper. Leave some overhang for easy lifting later. 2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy. 3. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat well after each egg. Stir in the vanilla extract for extra flavor. 1. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt. 2. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. 3. Gently fold in the graham cracker crumbs. This adds a nice crunch to the bars. 1. Set aside about 1 cup of dough for the topping. Press the rest evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish. 2. Sprinkle the mini marshmallows and both types of chocolate chips over the pressed dough. 3. Crumble the reserved dough over the marshmallows and chocolate. This creates a lovely topping. 4. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. The edges should be golden and the center set. 5. Let the bars cool completely in the dish. This helps them firm up for cutting. Lift them out using the parchment overhang. Cut into squares to serve. How to achieve the best flavor To get the best flavor, use fresh spices. Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves add warmth. They create a rich taste that makes your bars special. I suggest using high-quality chocolate for a deeper flavor. Adjusting sweetness to preference You can easily adjust the sweetness. If you like it sweet, stick to the recipe. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar a bit. You can also add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. Ensuring even baking For even baking, press the dough evenly in the pan. Make sure the edges are not thicker than the center. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for uniform heat. This helps your bars cook evenly and brown nicely. Presentation ideas Serve your bars warm for a gooey treat. Drizzle melted chocolate on top for a nice touch. A sprinkle of crushed graham crackers adds crunch and looks great. Pairing with drinks These bars pair well with cold milk. You can also serve them with hot cocoa. For adults, try pairing with coffee or spiced cider. Customizing for holidays To make them festive, add holiday spices like nutmeg. You can also use colored chocolate melts for decoration. Serve them during holiday parties for a fun twist on a classic treat. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all your ingredients, especially the butter and eggs, are at room temperature for easier mixing and a better texture. Don’t Overmix the Dough: When combining the dry ingredients with the wet, mix just until combined to keep the bars tender and not tough. Customize Your Chocolate: Feel free to mix different types of chocolate chips or add in some nuts for extra flavor and texture. Let Them Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure they hold their shape and are easier to serve. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of your Gingerbread S'mores Bars in fun ways. Here are some ideas: - Using different spices: Try mixing in nutmeg or allspice for a warm twist. You can also use pumpkin spice for a fall vibe. - Adding nuts or dried fruits: Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch. Dried cranberries or cherries give a sweet touch. - Swapping chocolate types: Use dark chocolate for a richer taste. You could also try milk chocolate for a sweeter bar. If you or your guests have dietary needs, you can adapt the recipe easily. - Gluten-free alternatives: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. This keeps the texture nice and soft. - Vegan modifications: Use vegan butter and flax eggs instead of regular eggs. You can also find dairy-free chocolate chips to keep it vegan-friendly. Store your Gingerbread S'mores Bars in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, place them in the fridge. The cold helps maintain their texture and flavor. Just remember to let them come to room temperature before serving. This way, they taste just as good as when fresh. To freeze these bars, first, let them cool completely. Cut them into squares, then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped bars in a freezer bag or container. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy, take them out and thaw in the fridge overnight. For a warm treat, you can reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Enjoy the warm, gooey goodness! Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, you can make these bars ahead of time. Bake and let them cool. Store them in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to four days. What can I substitute for eggs? You can use applesauce as an egg substitute. Use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for each egg. This keeps the bars moist. How long do leftovers last? Leftovers last for about four days at room temperature. Keep them in a sealed container. You can also refrigerate them to extend freshness. Can I use homemade gingerbread dough? Absolutely! Homemade gingerbread dough works great. Just ensure it is soft enough to spread. This adds a personal touch to your bars. This blog post covered the key steps to make delicious bars, from gathering ingredients to baking. You learned how to mix flavors and achieve the best texture. The tips inspired you to make them your own, while storage info keeps them fresh. Try different flavors or adjust for your diet. These bars bring joy to any occasion. Happy baking!

Gingerbread S'mores Bars

Delicious bars combining the flavors of gingerbread with classic s'mores ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3.75 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1.5 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 0.5 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal later.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  • Gently fold in the graham cracker crumbs until evenly distributed in the dough.
  • Reserve about 1 cup of the dough to use as the topping, and press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the mini marshmallows and both chocolate chips evenly over the pressed dough layer. Crumble the reserved dough over the marshmallows and chocolate to create a topping.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
  • Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish (this will help them set up properly) before lifting them out using the parchment overhang. Cut into squares to serve.

Notes

Serve warm with a drizzle of melted chocolate on top and a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers for added texture. Enjoy with a glass of milk!
Keyword bars, dessert, gingerbread, s'mores