Eric came home from work a few weeks ago with a big bag of groceries. He’ll do this from time to time. During his lunch break, he’ll pick up stuff to make for dinner or some other goodies that I’ve requested. This time, however, I hadn’t asked him to purchase anything.
A look of pure delight formed on his face when I asked what was in the bag. He reached in and revealed three items: a box of graham crackers, two bags of chocolate chips, and a jar of marshmallow Fluff.
I looked at him for a moment. “Ok, now what would you like me to do with these items?”
He proudly displayed each item on the kitchen table and then explained. “I want you to make s’more cookies.” From here, he went on to go over some ideas for how I could go about making said cookies. I listened and agreed… I would try it out and see what happened.
My first attempt was neither a success nor a failure. The cookies tasted good, but the Fluff disappeared into the cookie and you really didn’t get any marshmallow consistency. It was just a regular chocolate chip cookie (I did, however, use graham crackers as a base, which gave it a different flavor and a unique texture).
As I sat down to think about my next move, I contemplated the mistakes that I made with the first batch. And what it came down to, I felt, was one major issue with baking these suckers: Fluff melts when it is heated. I knew this all along, but I just didn’t know what to do about it.
And then, just a few days ago, I was sitting with my morning cup of coffee and it came to me: I had to make something that wouldn’t be baked. My game plan quickly changed. I wasn’t going to do cookies, but I’d do bars. And instead of putting them in the oven, I’d have them set in the freezer.
The result turned out to be pleasantly surprising. I think these make for some tasty little treats and these are most definitely kid-friendly (both in preparation and in consumption).
No Bake S’more Bites
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli)
3/4 cup of Fluff’
Directions
Line a 8×8 square baking pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Slowly pour in the melted butter and stir the crumb mixture until they clump when you squeeze them in your hand.
Spread the crumb mixture along the bottom of the pan, pressing down so that it is evenly distributed. Put the pan in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture starts to firm up.
Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stove in a double boiler. Using a spatula, spread the chocolate across the top of of the graham cracker crust. Let sit for a few minutes until it cools down. At this point, add spoonfuls of Fluff in five or six spots across the top of the bars. Using a knife, swirl the Fluff into the chocolate.
Freeze bars for another 10 minutes, cut into bites and and serve.
So much brilliance here. Suddenly I realize my evening is missing these bars.
You clever boy, an excellent fluffer.
oh yum! That looks like heaven. Think I may have to throw some peanut butter in there too
Those look incredibly good! A pretty and tempting treat.
Cheers,
Rosa
Oh my, I need these in my hands immediately! You need to live closer, seriously.
Ok, these are way too easy. I need to buy some fluff and make them immediately.
Great idea! The sooner s’mores can be eaten, the better.
Hahaha. I’ve always been a fan of s’mores, but fluff has found a new place in my heart now that I’m a Mass transplant. There’s a “What the Fluff” festival in Union Square Sept 24th and, I believe, national fluffernutter day is Oct 8th. Lots of fluff to look forward to this fall. I’m glad you were determined to keep at it with these bars: they look great!
This is an excellent idea! Fluff is one of those processed foods I could never give up — love the swirls here!
Yum- what a deliciously brilliant idea. Marshmallows are so hard to use in baking, so don’t bake ‘em! I recently tried making s’mores brownies and had to get around the melting marshmallows issue. I finally put them on top of my cooked brownies and put them under the broiler for a minute.
-Miriam
When we moved to NY, my kids were elemen. age. They were introduced to pn’t butter and fluff sandwiches at snack time at school. We had never heard of fluff and they thought they were in heaven. We occasionally have to buy a jar and eat it with a box of graham crackers. They Mmmm and aaahh. Your “no-bake” bars would be so cute to make them down here in TX (as teens!)
Love it, Brian! I’ve been talking about s’mores this week with a friend who wants to put them in his restaurant menu. Sending him this link now
Um, seriously – YUM. And I love how vintagey the shots are. Love it! Now, to figure out how to face-plant those and I’m set.
Love how simple these are to make. And your photography is awesome!
These look like the perfect dessert to make when you’re on vacation, have limited tools and don’t have a ton of ingredients!
These look delicious and super simple to make! Great craving to have and make on the spot!
These look fantastic! Quite munchable. A great idea for off-campsite s’mores…
from the Queen of S’mores
Valerie Morrissey
These look very yummy, thank you for sharing!
i love this idea! I was just telling someone the only thing about baking, is some of you favorite recipes you can’t just make on the fly (have to let butter and eggs get to room temp) … but these definitely solve that little problem. yummy!
This is such a fun idea, especially because I was never allowed to have Fluff as a child. It was one of those guilty pleasures I’d only be able to sneak a taste of at a friend’s house after school. I don’t think I could be held accountable with an entire jar in my house!
My kids will be forever in your debt for bringing us this recipe! Yum. Not being from the US, marshmallow fluff scares the beejezus out of me, though. But I can probably make an exception for these awesome bars.
Brian, sometimes are loved ones have everything figured out for us! These bites look incredible, and how could they not? Lovely shots!
Mmmm. . . delish!! a “no bake” dessert like this is perfect for a day like today!
These look incredible and the perfect dessert to end the day with! I have a jar of Fluff sitting in my pantry that I have been wanting to do something and this recipe looks like the perfect recipe for me to try!
This look amazing! Love the thought process!
Did you say no bake? Count me in… and love the action shot!
These look fabulous! I bet my hubby will be a big fan.
These are too much fun, thank you so much for sharing them!!
Ah, yes, the Fluff! I adore Marshmallow Fluff, but you may have guessed that already! These are really clever, Brian, and they look so good. I love the marbled top–it really makes it. So simple but so good, I’m sure, and I love all of the action in your photos! xo
I just made something which is neither good nor bad but not what i was looking for and I am now hoping that I can figure out the error the way you did. May be a cup of tea would help but a piece of that smore would definitely help.. pass me one please
I must admit, I haven’t read the recipe yet.
Why, you ask?
Because I’m mesmorized by the graham cracker crumb stirring ‘action’ shot.
As soon as I calm down from that, I’ll read the recipe.
xoxo
That is why we should not skip our morning coffee. Bright ideas come those times
I always thought about what to do with Fluff, and was wondering if I could somehow make a cheesecake version of this. Have you tried something like this?
I love this recipe Brian!! Especially because it’s so simple and yields really pretty bars!
Pure brilliance. Can’t wait to try it.
that Eric is a keeper . . . as are these bars . . . the prof would absolutely love these!!!
Very creative! Love the swirls.
Oh Brian, you know the way to a person’s heart is with marshmallow fluff… or at least ONE way! these look sensational.
omg… the yumminess
Don’t use the word fluffer around me. It makes me blush. GREG
Ha-we had a baking mind meld moment. Smores are a popular thing! I love your swirled top.
That story is adorable. And I would devour these, mostly b/c of the graham cracker crust. I had a nice s’mores bar at Area Four last week with homemade marshmallow. Might I suggest trying something along those lines??
omg love these!
Those look delicious and I love the “fluff” swirl!
Brian, like so many of your recipes, these look and sound amazing! I’m having a bbq and will definitely be making your these. I can’t wait to try them!
I wish my BF would bring home inspirational ingredients from time to time – not just pizza.
These bars look awesome and the tone to your photos is beautiful.
i love this story! so sweet. these sound delicious – great combination of salty and sweet, crunchy and chewy. gotta try these out!
Love the idea, I wonder if I melt marshmallows if it would turn out to taste as great as yours. Fluff is a bit hard to find around here.
[...] No Bake S’more Bites – A Thought For Food [...]
Great looking no-bake bars and how smart of you to come up with this recipe. Next time your Erin comes home with bags of groceries, please be sure to post about it. Even if you don’t make anything, I love the way you tell a story.
[...] the same without s’mores. I admit that I am a huge fan. So, naturally, I’m loving these No Bake S’more Bites from A Thought For Food. And, since they are no-bake, I can avoid turning on the [...]
What a great idea! These bars look delicious, and the preparation is so simple. I made smores brownies earlier this summer, and you’re right, the marshmallows basically melted into the batter. The still tasted good, but weren’t very marshmallowy.
I love that it’s no bake and could whip this delicious treat up in no time. A great quick dessert for entertaining too.
this is perfect for the adult with the taste buds of a five year old (cough me cough). And for those of us who crave smores 365 days a year. (again…cough me cough)
Amazing where we get our best ideas from. I didn’t expect to find the dessert when I came by, but I wad excited I did. BEAUTIFULLY executed.
I do believe that if I ever have the chance to meet Eric in person one day, he and I would get along very very well. You know I love my smores!
oh I should’ve made these when the cousins were here from Italy. they had their first s’mores with us and LOVED them. these look fabulous and sinful:)
Just beautiful! And tasty too! I love when Ryan comes home with a special request. Thank you for sharing with me. I hope the beginning of your week is both peaceful and fun. I’m sipping on a cup of coffee and looking forward to a day of resting and baking. Perfection, in my books! I hope you are well, my friend!
Love your blog and what a great recipe for that bottle of Fluff sitting on my shelf; thanks,
Rita
Absolutely in love with this. S’more perfection!
MMMNNN!. . . I LOVES me some smores, especially when I want s’more.
La locura es el padre de la locura.
Brilliant! Love it! And finally I can have them with dark chocolate… which we all know is better.