Decadent Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Get ready for an explosion of flavors with these outrageously awesome **Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Cookie Bars**! This recipe brings together all your favorite elements – the creamy richness of peanut butter, the classic campfire delight of s’mores, and the comforting chewiness of oatmeal cookies – into one unforgettable, convenient bar. Every single bite is a total indulgence, a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more. If you’re a fan of incredible cookie bars, don’t miss out on trying these Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars or the delightful Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars for more sweet inspiration!

PIN IT NOW!

Welcome to S’mores Week, a celebration of one of the most beloved dessert combinations! We absolutely adore s’mores, and the thought of transforming that classic gooey, chocolatey, marshmallow experience into a convenient, no-campfire-needed treat has been a passion project. After brainstorming countless ideas, it was incredibly challenging to select just a few standout recipes, but these Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Cookie Bars unequivocally earned their spot. They are truly unreal!

The journey to creating these sensational bars began with my popular Reese’s Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars. I wanted to infuse that delightful base with the magic of s’mores. While the initial goal was purely s’mores, I simply couldn’t resist including Reese’s. Let’s be honest, peanut butter and s’mores are truly best friends, a match made in dessert heaven that elevates the flavor profile to an entirely new level of deliciousness.

Unlocking the Secrets to the Ultimate S’mores Bars

What makes these s’mores bars truly exceptional are a few ingenious adjustments that elevate the recipe from good to extraordinary. One of the most significant changes involved incorporating graham cracker crumbs directly into the cookie dough, replacing a portion of the all-purpose flour. Initially, I harbored a slight skepticism, but the results were astounding, converting me into a total believer. The graham crackers impart a distinctive, subtly sweet flavor and a wonderful coarse texture that perfectly mimics the essence of a traditional s’mores base, making these cookie bars an authentic and ultimate s’mores delight.

Beyond the innovative graham cracker inclusion, the cookie dough itself is a peanut butter lover’s dream, featuring not only creamy peanut butter but also a generous scattering of Reese’s peanut butter chips. This dual approach ensures an intense peanut butter flavor that harmonizes beautifully with the s’mores components. I also made sure to retain the oatmeal in the recipe. As a devout fan of oatmeal in baked goods, I appreciate how it contributes to the cookie’s structural integrity, providing a satisfying chewiness that holds all the decadent layers together. Plus, a little oatmeal makes them seem almost healthy – right? It’s all about balance, after all!

Crafting Layers of Decadence

Once about two-thirds of the rich, flavorful cookie dough was pressed firmly into the baking dish, it was time to move on to the star of the show: chocolate! And not just any chocolate, but a substantial layer of seven full-size Hershey’s chocolate bars, strategically placed over the cookie base. Honestly, the temptation to stop there was immense; a thick layer of melting chocolate on a peanut butter oatmeal cookie is a treat in itself. But for true s’mores perfection, we needed that iconic fluffy marshmallow layer.

When it comes to the marshmallow component, marshmallow fluff is undeniably the superior choice for these bars. Its smooth, spreadable consistency makes it incredibly easy to evenly coat the entire surface of the Hershey’s chocolate bars. As the bars bake in the oven, something magical happens: the marshmallow fluff begins to bubble and peek through the cracks of the cookie topping, developing a beautifully toasted, slightly caramelized crust. This creates that authentic, irresistible toasted marshmallow flavor and texture that is absolutely essential for a truly outstanding s’mores experience.

To complete this layered masterpiece, I folded a generous cup of chopped Reese’s miniatures into the remaining one-third of cookie dough. This ensures that every bite delivers a delightful surprise of extra peanut butter and chocolate goodness. This enriched dough was then carefully dropped by the teaspoonful over the marshmallow layer. At this stage, with the sweet aromas filling the kitchen and the layers looking so tantalizing, it took every ounce of my willpower to resist grabbing a spoon and digging right in!

After a relatively short trip to a warm oven, the reward was truly magnificent. Out emerged the most beautiful and aromatic cookie bars I have ever laid eyes upon. The golden-brown cookie topping, the subtly toasted marshmallow peeking through, and the promise of gooey chocolate beneath made for an absolutely stunning presentation.

Glorious, aren’t they? I had every intention of capturing photos when the chocolate was still perfectly ooey-gooey and molten, but my schedule unfortunately did not align with that dream moment. Nevertheless, just look at that marshmallow! It achieved absolute perfection – golden, lightly toasted, and wonderfully soft. Each slice reveals layer after layer of sheer indulgence: a chewy oatmeal peanut butter cookie base, a lavish blanket of rich Hershey’s chocolate bars that makes you sit up and take notice, a pillowy soft marshmallow layer, and a final oatmeal cookie topping studded with Reese’s miniatures. These cookie bar layers beautifully sandwich all the incredible s’mores flavors, making them a sensational treat in and of themselves.

Tips for Baking Perfect Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Room Temperature Eggs: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate more smoothly into the butter and sugar mixture, resulting in a more uniform and tender dough.
Don’t Skimp on Chilling: Refrigerating the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes is crucial. This helps the butter solidify, preventing the dough from spreading too much in the oven and making it easier to handle and press into the pan.
Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This makes it incredibly easy to lift the entire batch of cooled bars out of the pan for clean, effortless cutting.
Evenly Spread Fluff: Take your time spreading the marshmallow fluff. A smooth, even layer ensures that the marshmallow toasts consistently and distributes its sweetness throughout the bars. If it’s too thick in some areas, it might not toast evenly.
Cool Completely: Patience is key! These bars need to cool completely before you attempt to cut them. Rushing this step can lead to messy, crumbly bars as the chocolate and marshmallow will still be too soft. Chilling them in the refrigerator after cooling can also help achieve cleaner cuts.
Storage: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, individual bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

More S’mores Favorites You’ll Love

If these bars ignite your love for all things s’mores, you’ll be thrilled to explore these other creative and delicious s’mores-inspired recipes:

S’mores Pudding Parfaits: A lighter, layered s’mores treat.
No Bake S’mores Cheesecake Bars: Indulgent s’mores with a creamy cheesecake twist.
S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels: Fun and festive, perfect for kids and adults.
S’mores Cinnamon Rolls with Marshmallow Frosting: A breakfast or brunch delight with a s’mores twist.
5 Minute Mocha S’mores Dip: A quick and easy dessert dip for any gathering.

The Ultimate Recipe: Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Cookie Bars

These Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Cookie Bars offer total indulgence in each bite, combining classic s’mores flavors with a rich peanut butter oatmeal cookie!

Print
Pin

5 from 2 votes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: peanut butter s’mores oatmeal cookie bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Chill Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 24 bars

Calories: 328 kcal

Author: Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

12 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups light brown sugar
½ cup creamy peanut butter
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup Reese’s peanut butter baking chips
7 full-size Hershey’s chocolate bars
7 ounces marshmallow fluff
1 cup Reese’s miniatures, chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal, and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the melted butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the creamy peanut butter and continue mixing until fully combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate small mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, graham cracker crumbs, old fashioned oats, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet butter and peanut butter mixture, stirring slowly until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
Gently fold in the Reese’s peanut butter baking chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes. This step is important for firming up the dough, making it easier to handle and ensuring the bars hold their shape during baking.
Once chilled, spread about two-thirds of the cookie dough evenly onto the bottom of the prepared 9×13 inch pan. Use your hands or an offset spatula to press it into a uniform layer.
Carefully place the full-size Hershey’s chocolate bars over the cookie dough base, breaking them apart as needed to cover the entire surface.
Evenly spread the marshmallow fluff on top of the Hershey’s chocolate layer. A rubber spatula or the back of a spoon works well for this.
Stir the chopped Reese’s miniatures into the remaining one-third of cookie dough.
Drop the remaining cookie dough, by the teaspoonful, on top of the marshmallow layer. It doesn’t need to be perfect and won’t completely cover the marshmallow fluff; the gaps allow the marshmallow to toast beautifully.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cookie topping is golden brown and the marshmallow is lightly toasted and bubbly. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting them into squares. This ensures clean cuts and sets all the delicious layers.

Nutrition

The post Decadent Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Cookie Bars first appeared on Fitgag.

About Me