Peanut Butter S'mores Bars

I love s'mores. I think for many people they conjure childhood memories of camping with family or hanging out with friends by a fire on a crisp late summer night. Also, they're delicious. Who can resist ooey gooey toasty marshmallow and chocolate sandwiched between 2 imitable Nabisco graham crackers?

But let's be honest, a true s'more is for special occasions. No one is going out in their backyard and lighting a campfire to toast a single marshmallow whenever a craving strikes. No, you're probably going to do something sick and twisted like stick a graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow in the microwave and pray it doesn't explode (oh, you know you've done it!)

S'mores-inspired baked goods  are the way to go in this situation. Or for an impatient sweets- craving crowd. Or for when you want to eat something a little more neatly and ladylike (I don't have this problem...) These peanut butter s'mores bars have the added bonus of satisfying the peanut butter chocolate lover in your life too! Enjoy!

Peanut Butter S'mores Bars

(makes 16 bars)

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs, about 14 whole crackers
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

6 Tbsp butter, softened

1/3 cup plus 2 Tbsp peanut butter, divided

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 XL Hershey's milk chocolate bar, or your favorite chocolate bars broken to fit the pan

1 1/2 cup marshmallow fluff

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8x8 inch square pan.

2. In a small bowl whisk together graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

3. Cream together butter, 2 Tablespoons peanut butter, and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. Add the flour mixture and mix until combined. 

4. Divide dough in half and press half in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place the 2 chocolate bars on top of the dough in a single layer, they should fit just perfectly. Spread the chocolate with the marshmallow fluff. (Optional but delicious addition: before spreading the marshmallow fluff, first add the fluff to a small bowl and use a small kitchen torch to toast the top, then stir and toast again. Do this several times until the fluff has a nice toasty flavor.) Dollop the remaining 1/3 cup peanut butter around the top of the fluff and swirl around evenly. Place the remaining dough in an even layer on top of the peanut butter and fluff. You can do this a few ways - I usually break it into smaller pieces, flatten them out and then piece them together on top. Do your best to cover it all without any fluff peeking through. 

5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until light brown on top. Let cook completely then cut into 16 squares.