Ooey Gooey S'mores Bars

I hope that everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July! We had a quiet one here, too hot to do anything outside, 102 degrees. Ugh! I have this great recipe though.

Have you ever seen a recipe on TV, that you couldn't wait to make? That's what happened to me as I was watching Good Morning America, while eating my oatmeal yesterday.  Because it was the Fourth of July, they were showing Fourth of July desserts, and making these Ooey Gooey S' mores Bars from Taste of Home. OMG, these bars looked outrageously good, and I had all of the ingredients in the pantry.  Because we have a fire pit, I always have the ingredients for S' Mores on hand.  Also, because the temp yesterday was 102, I knew there would be no fire in the fire pit last night. These bars would be perfect. I made them right after breakfast.

The bars have a cookie type crust with flour, as well as graham cracker crumbs.  I left some of my crumbs chunky for added texture. On top of the cookie crust, you place the whole chocolate bars.  I also used some mini Peanut Butter cups, cut in half, to replace one of the chocolate bars. Then on top of the chocolate you spread marshmallow creme, or sprinkle miniature marshmallows. Bake until golden brown. Sprinkles can be used now for decoration.  The hardest part is that you have to wait about 30 minutes for the bars to cool, before cutting into them. Of course, I had to test them to be sure that they were all right:)  They taste just like a S'more with graham cracker cookie crust, the melted chocolate, and the ooey gooey golden brown marshmallows. I couldn't stop eating them. You don't have to go out in the 100 degree temps, and make a fire, or use your grill. You can make them in your oven in your air conditioned kitchen, and they only bake for about 25 minutes.

 I would recommend that you make sure that the whole inside of the pan is sprayed, all the way to the top, otherwise the melted marshmallows will stick to the inside of the pan.
Also, Because they are ooey gooey, it is tricky cutting them in nice pieces, but they taste so good. Enjoy!  Close your eyes and pretend that you are eating your S'More around a campfire!

Ooey Gooey S’ Mores Bars from Taste of Home

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each)or peanut butter cups, cut in pieces
1 cup marshmallow creme or 1 cup miniature marshmallows

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, cracker crumbs,
baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Set
aside 1/2 cup for topping.

Press remaining mixture into a greased or sprayed   8x8 or 9-in. square baking pan.
Place candy bars over crust; spread with marshmallow creme., or miniature marshmallows.
Sprinkle remaining graham cracker mixture over top.

Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a
wire rack. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container., if there are any left.

Yield: 1 dozen

I  linked up my recipe to Brandie@The Country Cook's Weekend Potluck#25
Stop by and say Hi to Brandie!