This post has been sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionery. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Homemade Monster S’mores Bars are a cookie lover’s dream with a peanut butter crumble crust, melty M&M’S® Chocolate Bars and marshmallows toasted to perfection!
Are you on the hunt for a show-stopping dessert that combines classic comfort with an irresistible twist? Look no further than these Homemade Monster S’mores Bars! Forget waiting for summer campfires; this decadent treat brings all the gooey, chocolatey, toasted marshmallow goodness of s’mores right to your kitchen, any time of year. Perfect for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to festive holiday parties, these bars are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. If you’re someone who appreciates an epic dessert spread, you might also love exploring a Dessert Charcuterie Board for your next event!
There’s an undeniable magic to a classic s’more – the crisp graham cracker, the rich melted chocolate, and that perfectly toasted, ooey-gooey marshmallow. It’s a nostalgic treat that often transports us back to warm summer nights under starry skies. But what if you could capture that essence and elevate it to a new level of deliciousness, making it accessible even when a campfire isn’t an option? Enter the world of monster cookies. Known for their hearty combination of oats, peanut butter, and colorful candies, monster cookies offer a delightful blend of textures and flavors. Marrying these two beloved concepts – the classic s’more and the robust monster cookie – results in one ultimate dessert experience: the Homemade Monster S’mores Bars. This innovative treat allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds, creating a truly unique and satisfying dessert that breaks free from seasonal limitations.
These Homemade Monster S’mores Bars are an exquisite fusion of textures and tastes. Each bite delivers a delightful blend of chewy oats, creamy peanut butter, crunchy graham cracker crumbs, and the undeniable charm of M&M’S® Peanut Chocolate Bars, all crowned with perfectly toasted marshmallows. It’s a symphony of flavors that will not only satisfy any s’mores enthusiast but also win over anyone who loves a good cookie bar. The depth of flavor and the varying textures make these bars an unforgettable dessert, offering a comforting yet exciting culinary journey with every piece.
Discovering the Secret Ingredient: M&M’S® Chocolate Bars
My journey to creating these sensational s’mores bars began with a simple shopping trip to CVS Pharmacy™. It was there that I stumbled upon the innovative M&M’S® Chocolate Bars, and immediately, my dessert-making instincts kicked in. Traditional s’mores rely on standard chocolate bars, which are perfectly fine, but these M&M’S® Chocolate Bars promised something extraordinary. Imagine a classic chocolate bar, but instead of plain chocolate, it’s generously studded with those beloved M&M’S® mini candies. This discovery instantly sparked the idea of elevating the s’mores experience, moving beyond the ordinary and into a realm of enhanced flavor and texture.
The beauty of using M&M’S® Chocolate Bars in these s’mores is multifaceted. First, the mini M&M’S® within the bar provide an exciting textural contrast – a satisfying crunch that complements the gooey marshmallows and chewy cookie base. Second, they introduce a burst of vibrant color, making the bars not only delicious but also visually appealing. Lastly, the inherent deliciousness of M&M’S® chocolate, combined with the convenience of a bar format, makes them an ideal choice for melting smoothly and evenly over the cookie crust. This simple swap transforms a good s’mores bar into a truly monstrously good one, ensuring every bite is packed with delightful surprises.
The Anatomy of a Perfect S’mores Bar
What exactly defines a s’mores bar, and what makes these Homemade Monster S’mores Bars stand out? It’s all about the layers, each contributing its unique character to the overall symphony of taste and texture. Our s’mores bars feature a robust and incredibly flavorful cookie layer that forms the foundation. This base is crafted from a rich blend of butter, brown sugar, creamy peanut butter, flour, fragrant vanilla, hearty oats, and finely crushed graham cracker crumbs. The result is a cookie base that is both wonderfully chewy and satisfyingly soft, providing the perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the toppings. It’s designed to be substantial enough to hold all the delightful elements above it, while still being tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Layered directly on this incredible cookie foundation is the star of our show: a generous topping of M&M’S® Peanut Chocolate Candy Bars. As this chocolate melts, it creates a smooth, rich, and utterly irresistible layer that perfectly bridges the cookie base and the final marshmallow topping. The embedded M&M’S® minis within the bar soften slightly, adding pockets of delightful crunch and extra chocolatey bursts. Finally, these bars are crowned with a fluffy blanket of mini marshmallows. A quick stint under the broiler is all it takes to transform these white pillows into a golden-brown, toasted delight. The marshmallows achieve that signature smoky, caramelized flavor and gooey texture, just as if they’d been roasted over a crackling campfire, but with the convenience of your kitchen oven.
Unleash Your Creativity: Exploring M&M’S® Chocolate Bar Varieties
One of the most exciting aspects of these Homemade Monster S’mores Bars is their incredible versatility, especially when it comes to the chocolate component. M&M’S® Chocolate Bars come in a fantastic array of flavors, each capable of transforming your s’mores bars into a new and exciting culinary adventure. While the Peanut Milk Chocolate Candy Bar offers a delightful nutty crunch and classic flavor, don’t hesitate to experiment with other varieties to discover your personal favorite or to cater to different tastes.
The varieties available include:
- Milk Chocolate Candy Bar: For the purists, this classic offers smooth, creamy milk chocolate with traditional M&M’S® minis, providing a universally loved flavor profile.
- Crispy Milk Chocolate Candy Bar: If you love an extra crunch, this bar incorporates crispy rice pieces along with the M&M’S® minis, adding an irresistible textural dimension.
- Mint Milk Chocolate Bar: A refreshing twist for mint chocolate lovers, this bar infuses the rich milk chocolate with a cool hint of mint, perfect for a vibrant and invigorating s’mores experience.
- Peanut Milk Chocolate Candy Bar: Our featured bar, delivering the satisfying combination of creamy milk chocolate and crunchy peanuts in M&M’S® form.
- Almond Milk Chocolate Candy Bar: For those who prefer the subtle sweetness and crunch of almonds, this bar offers a sophisticated nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the other s’mores elements.
Each of these options brings a unique character to the Monster S’mores Bars, allowing you to customize your batch to suit any craving or occasion. Imagine a batch made with Crispy Milk Chocolate for an ultimate textural party, or a Mint Milk Chocolate version for a holiday treat! The possibilities are endless, making these bars a truly adaptable dessert.
Effortless Indulgence: No Campfire, No Fuss, Just Deliciousness
One of the biggest advantages of these Homemade Monster S’mores Bars is their sheer simplicity. Gone are the days of needing a blazing campfire, perfectly sized sticks, and the patience to toast marshmallows just right. This recipe brings the beloved s’mores experience indoors, making it accessible and enjoyable year-round, regardless of the weather outside. You can achieve that iconic golden-brown, gooey marshmallow top right in your oven, under the broiler, with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction. This means no smoke, no ash, and no struggling with unruly flames – just pure, unadulterated s’mores bliss, conveniently prepared in your kitchen.
These bars are designed for ease, from the straightforward preparation of the peanut butter crumble crust to the quick melting of the M&M’S® Chocolate Bars and the final broiling of the marshmallows. They’re a fantastic option for busy parents, aspiring bakers, or anyone looking to whip up an impressive dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. The entire process is not only simple but also incredibly fun, making it a great activity for families to do together. The end result is a pan of irresistible, chewy s’mores bars that embody comfort and celebration, ready to be enjoyed by everyone. Whether it’s a weeknight treat, a potluck contribution, or a special occasion dessert, these Monster S’mores Bars are a guaranteed hit that prove deliciousness doesn’t always require complexity.
Homemade Monster S’mores Bars
Prep
Cook
Total
Author Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Yield 24 servings
Homemade Monster S’mores Bars are a cookie lover’s dream with a peanut butter crumble crust, melty M&M’S® Chocolate Bars and marshmallows toasted to perfection!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups quick cooking rolled oats
- 1 cup graham crackers, finely crushed
- 3 M&M’S® Peanut Milk Chocolate Candy Bar, chopped and divided.
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 13 x 9” baking pan with parchment paper greased with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, beat butter with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add in brown sugar and peanut butter and beat until combined. Add in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla.
- Fold in oats and graham crackers.
- Press mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 13 minutes or until golden brown.
- Immediately when the base comes out of the oven, sprinkle half of the chopped M&M’S® Peanut Milk Chocolate Candy Bar over the top. Place back into the oven for 1 minute to melt. Gently spread with the back of a spoon to evenly distribute.
- Turn oven off and turn on broiler.
- Evenly place marshmallows over the top of the chocolate layer and place under the broiler, watching carefully until light golden brown. Sprinkle with remaining M&M’S® Peanut Milk Chocolate Candy Bar.
Courses Dessert
Cuisine American
If you’re seeking a truly delicious, satisfying, and endlessly chewy s’mores bar, then your search ends here with these Homemade Monster S’mores Bars. This recipe proves that you don’t need to wait for summer to indulge in the nostalgic flavors of s’mores. With their rich peanut butter and oat base, gooey M&M’S® chocolate center, and perfectly toasted marshmallows, these bars offer a delightful twist on a classic, making them accessible and enjoyable throughout the year.
They are incredibly simple to prepare, making them an ideal project for a fun baking session with the family or a quick treat to impress guests. The combination of familiar flavors in an easy-to-eat bar format ensures that everyone, from the pickiest eaters to the most discerning dessert connoisseurs, will fall in love with them. So why wait for the perfect weather or a special camping trip? Bring the joy of s’mores and the heartiness of monster cookies into your home today with this unbeatable recipe. Your taste buds (and your family!) will thank you for it!
