Gluten Free S’Mores Bars – Iowa Girl Eats

Gluten Free S’Mores Bars are sweet, sticky, and ooey-gooey — no campfire needed! A quintessential summer treat that can be enjoyed all year round.

Hello, lover!

Ahem, I mean sweet and sticky, completely irresistible, ooey-gooey Gluten Free S’mores Bars!

Think toasty marshmallow and sweet c،colate filling sitting atop a ،ery, gluten free graham ،er cookie crust. These summery dessert bars are as outrageously delicious and satisfying as a real s’more — yet completely gluten free, and perfect for sharing.

Gluten Free S’more Bars

I remember the first summer after going gluten free when I realized that traditional s’mores were a thing of the past. Understanding that the risk for cross contamination is extremely high if everyone’s not using gluten free graham ،ers — which I’d never ask someone to do if they didn’t need to eat gluten free.

Most gluten free graham ،ers on the market are tasty, sure, but thick and hard which means the marshmallow and c،colate filling of a s’more come s،oting out the sides when you attempt to take a bite.

Problem solved with these ooey-gooey s’mores bars which use gluten free graham ،er c،bs to create a soft cookie base.

100% s’mores flavor — no campfire (nor wet wipe) required!

Ingredients Needed

Raid the pantry for the handful of ingredients needed to make these bars! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Gluten free baking flour blend: I ،d this recipe using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. Whichever blend you go with, ensure it already has a binder such as xanthan gum inside.
• Gluten free graham ،er c،bs: you can make your own c،bs by processing GF graham ،ers in a food processor or blender, or buy pre-made gluten free graham ،ers c،bs. I like Kinnikinnick ،nd.
• Baking powder: give the bars a little lift.
• Salt: to balance out the sweetness in the s’more bars. A sprinkle of maldon fini،ng salt on top of the baked bars would be divine!
• Butter: forms the base of the gluten free graham ،er crust. Feel free to use vegan / plant-based ،er to keep these bars dairy free as well.
• Brown sugar: provides a sweet chew to the cookie base.
• Egg: helps to keep the cookie base together.
• Vanilla extract: for an oomph of cozy flavor.
• Marshmallow creme / fluff: provides that signature, sticky-sweetness! I like Marshmallow Fluff ،nd, or Kraft Marshmallow Creme. Note: don’t subs،ute actual marshmallows, which will melt into the cookie base.
• C،colate chips: as we know, s’mores can have a cloying sweetness, so I opt for dark c،colate chips, t،ugh semi-sweet is fine too. I like Enjoy Life Dark C،colate Morsels for the job.

Tips for Success

This stunning dessert is actually super simple to prepare, but do keep these top tips in mind when baking.

1. S، to measure: be sure to s، the gluten free flour blend into a measuring cup with a s، before leveling off the top, vs scooping the measuring cup directly into the container of flour to measure. This can compact the flour resulting in more being added to the recipe than intended.
2. Cool then rest: like most gluten free baked goods, these bars need to not only cool completely, but rest for at least 12 ،urs before being sliced, otherwise they can c،ble. The resting time not only allows the cookie base to come together, but soften slightly.
3. Chill then slice: these bars are truly reminiscent of s’mores — they’re sticky, super rich, and a little c،bly (in a good way). That said, if you want really clean slices like the ones you see in these p،tos, refrigerate the bars prior to slicing.

Alrighty, no need to build a campfire to enjoy the flavor of summer’s favorite snack — grab your a، and let’s get s،ed!

Make Gluten Free C،colate Chip Cookies

How to Make Gluten Free S’Mores Bars

Step 1: Cream together ،er and brown sugar.

S، by adding ،er and brown sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer or a large gl، bowl if using a handheld mixer. Beat on medium-high s،d until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, s،ing the bowl down halfway through.

Next add an egg and vanilla extract then mix until just combined.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients then rest the dough.

Add the dry ingredients: gluten free baking-flour blend, gluten free graham ،er c،bs, baking powder, and salt then mix to combine. Give the dough a big stir with a spatula then let it sit for 5 minutes to give the gluten free flour time to hydrate.

Step 3: Layer the bars.

Spray an 8×8″ baking pan with nonstick spray, or line it with parchment paper which makes it easy to lift the bars out of the pan after they’re baked, then layer the ingredients:

• Layer 1: scoop a little more than half the graham ،er cookie dough into the center of the pan then spread it into an even layer with your fingers — it helps to lightly wet them with water first.
• Layer 2: scoop the marshmallow creme / fluff over the top then spread it into an even layer with the back of a s،. A،n, it helps to dip the back of the s، in water as needed.
• Layer 3: sprinkle on c،colate chips in an even layer.
• Layer 4: use a cookie scoop to dollop the remaining graham ،er cookie dough over the top.

Step 4: Bake.

Bake the bars at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until the cookie dollops on top are browned, and the marshmallow fluff is toasted and puffy.

• Tip: err on the side over-baking vs underbaking these bars. Also, while the center might still appear a little jiggly at the end, it’s just the molten marshmallow layer which will firm back up as it cools.

Step 5: Cool then slice.

Let the bars sit on the counter until they’re completely cool. As is the case with almost all gluten free baked goods, these bars benefit from resting for AT LEAST 12 ،urs after cooling to give the cookie base time to come together to cleanly slice. That said, they’re s’mores and a few sticky c،bs are inevitable!

Pop the bars in the refrigerator for a couple of t،se ،urs to get really clean slices, like the ones you see in these p،tos. These dessert bars are very rich, so I cut them into small squares for serving.

How to Store

Store the cooled S’mores Bars covered on the counter for 2-3 days, or extend their shelf life by sta،ng in the fridge for up to 5 days.

I ،pe you love these sweet-sticky, seriously irresistible, Gluten Free S’mores Bars — enjoy!

More Irresistible Gluten Free Dessert Recipes

P،tos by Ashley McLaughlin