After going camping a few weeks back, I’ve been on a bit of a smores kick. While I have been known to roast marshmallows on the gas burners on my kitchen stove when cravings hit, this time I decided to channel my inspiration into these nutty smores bars.
This was one of those recipes that took me a few tries to get it “right.” I started with a recipe for smores granola bars from the King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion. I’m sure the original recipe would have been great, but we all know that I can rarely just leave well enough alone. What fun would that be? Instead, I was determined to make nutty peanut butter bars that were topped with marshmallows and chocolate chips. I also added toasted walnuts and golden milled flax to the recipe to make the bars a bit heartier. My first few attempts tasted amazing but fell apart when I tried to cut them. After a few tries, though, I had sturdy bars that tasted great. Success!
My final recipe yielded these tasty bars (or cookies?) that are a bit of a cross between a granola bar and a Rice Krispy treat… Topped with marshmallows and chocolate, of course! While they may not be what you would consider health food, they do make a fantastic afternoon snack!
Nuts for Smores Bars
(Adapted from the King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion)
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
(pecans would be wonderful, too) - 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1/2 cup golden milled flax
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- 3 cups mini marshmallows, divided
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 9 by 13-inch pan.
Spread the oats and walnuts in the prepared pan and toast for about 5-6 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Krispies cereal and the golden milled flax. Once the oats and walnuts have cooled, add them to the cereal mixture and stir.
Combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Bring to a bubble, remove from the heat, and stir in 2 cups of the marshmallows. Continue stirring until the marshmallows are fully incorporated.
Pour the mixture into the cereal in the mixing bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed. Transfer the mixture to the baking pan (you can use the same one that you toasted the oats and walnuts in!), and use your fingers to press the mixture into the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with the remaining marshmallows and the chocolate chips. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes until the marshmallows have puffed up and toasted slightly.
Cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes before cutting into squares. Individually wrap the bars or store in an airtight container.
You sold me on ‘a cross between a granola bar and rice krispy treat.’ Oh my gosh do these ever look amazing.
Oh goodness, what a perfect summer treat! I think that rice krispies and peanut butter (or SunButter, in my case) go together so well, and I need to try these!!
WOW – these seriously could not look any tastier!
S’mores are so American. And I need that in my (English) life right now. These are going to be perfect.
I am making this right away. Combines my two favorite things – s’mores and rice crispie treats! Thanks for the recipe.
I love that cookie book. One of my favorites!
Wow these look amazing! I’m a huge Smores fan so I know I would love these :)
Hmmmmmmmm Could you send me some? I love love smores.
Oh, I can’t wait to try these! They look like something the whole family will love!
These look awesome. I made the original smores granola bar recipe from this cookbook & my kiddo loved that one too!
These look crunchy, gooey, chocolaty and delicious! Yum!
Awww…now you’ve got me craving for smores. :)
What a great way to get a little bite of smores into your mid morning snack :-)
Looks good! Could I use agave in place of corn syrup?
Mich – You could certainly give the agave a try, but I haven’t tried it myself. I am not sure that agave is typically as “sticky” as corn syrup, so the consistency might not quite be the same.
Ok thnx :)
I alway love chocolate granola bars, thanks for your recipe, these granola bars are what to die for lol :D
Could I make these with Golden Grahams cereal instead of the rice cereal?
Amy – Sure, I think that would probably work! And, I’m sure it would taste delish. :)