4th of July S’mores Bars
4 Jul
Happy 4th of July!!
This picture was from the 3rd of July Fireworks Jubilee in my home-town last night!
I’m spending the weekend with my family, taking small breaks from studying for midterms to relax & trying to stay cool in this crazy heat!
I’m already a pretty patriotic person. I have a giant American flag adorning my bedroom wall. I may or may not own a stars & stripes bikini. Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, and the Marine Corps. birthday aren’t just days off from school, but reasons to bake star-shaped cookies. And, just hearing “Proud to be an American” makes me cry. Needless to say, the 4th of July is really just an excuse to go all-out…even more. Grilling, hanging by the pool, sipping a frosty beverage. Celebrating America. Pretty much nothing out of the ordinary, at least for me. Except with this particular day, there are fireworks. Assuming there are already toasty, melty marshmallows, and gooey chocolate involved, nothing could make me love a summer holiday more than adding fireworks into the mix. The bombs bursting in air get me teary-eyed every time, no joke. Turn on “Proud to be an American” during a fireworks display, and forget it, I’m a mess. Fireworks, check. Marshmallowy treats, check!
All-American S’mores Bars
Ingredients:
* 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
* 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 7-8 graham crackers)
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1 large egg
* 1 tsp vanilla
* 2 king-sized milk chocolate bars
* 1 jar marshmallow fluff
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350* F, and line or grease an 8″ square baking pan.
Cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy with a mixer or just mix it up in a bowl by hand.
Add the egg and vanilla, and mix well.
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking powder, and graham cracker crumbs.
Add to the butter mixture and beat together until combined. Divide the dough in half, and push half of the dough into the bottom of your pan.
It will look a little bit thin, but don’t worry, the layer will puff up a bit when it bakes.
Layer the chocolate bars on top of the dough. 2 king-size bars should fit perfectly side-by-side in an 8″ square pan.
Smooth the marshmallow creme or fluff over the chocolate bar layer, using a knife or whatever is convenient.
Layer the remaining half of the dough over the top of the marshmallow layer. To do this, it’s easiest if you take small pieces of dough, smoosh them out into a small sheet, and piece them together in the pan. Sprinkle extra graham cracker crumbles over the top of the dough.
Bake 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and delicious! Allow the bars to cool in the pan before slicing.
I love you, America!!
