Wednesday, June 29, 2011

peanut butter s'mores bars


I kept thinking, "I need to make marshmallows for a recipe." but I really couldn't remember what recipe. I think I had some weird craving that required them, but instead of thinking about the recipe as a whole, I only focused on one of the components and completely forgot the first why.

Convoluted as usual.

So I had to pick up raisins and chocolate chips on my last shopping trip and I stood there in the baking aisle trying to decide whether I should buy large marshmallows or mini marshmallows. What did I even need them for? Why am I so fixated on marshmallows all of a sudden? I just couldn't figure it out so I did what any self-respecting cheap-o would do. I looked at the price of each bag and the amount in each bag and chose to buy mini marshmallows based on those facts alone. Whatever. So they sit in my pantry. Big deal. At least once I remember what it was I was going to do with them, they'd be right there.

Unfortunately, when I did figure out that all along, what I really wanted was butterscotch confetti squares, it was too late as I then realized I didn't have any butterscotch chips.

That's when I thought about using chocolate chips instead. They've got the same properties, right? And peanut butter and chocolate are best friends, so they should taste perfectly delicious. And then I couldn't get away from the obvious s'mores connection between the chocolate and marshmallows so I incorporated graham cracker the easiest way I knew how. And that's how the peanut butter s'mores bar was born.


At first, I didn't think it was a real winner of a recipe. Maybe it would be better with milk chocolate? But I finally realized I was over-analyzing the whole thing when I noticed we had polished them off in a day and a half. Further proof came when Idle Husband tried to lick the computer screen while I was editing the photos. I guess they turned out not half bad after all.

adapted from various sources I do not recall

{graham cracker crust}

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, melted

Line a 2 quart rectangular baking dish (or any dish you think will work. Smaller = thicker; larger = thinner) with parchment paper and set aside. In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and salt together. Add the melted butter and stir until the graham cracker crumbs are thoroughly moistened. Press evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

{chocolate confetti squares}

1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter (lite is all right)
1 cup chocolate chips
250 g mini marshmallows

In a medium sized pot, melt the margarine and peanut butter together. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips. Stir until they've completely melted into the peanut butter mixture. Allow the mixture to cool to the point where you can comfortably place your hand on the bottom of the pot (be careful not to touch it too soon). Add marshmallows and stir to coat. Spread evenly over the graham cracker crust and put the whole thing in the fridge until fully set. Lift out of the dish using the parchment paper, cut into squares, and enjoy! It's best to keep these refrigerated.

{note} You can skip the graham cracker crust entirely and pour the chocolate confetti square mixture directly into a 9X9 pan lined with plastic wrap. You can also substitute the chocolate chips with butterscotch chips as originally intended (also more original would be to use multicoloured mini marshmallows) which I just might do in the upcoming weeks.

17 comments:

Jane said...

Oh, these look waaay too good :) I love making smores when I'm camping.

Unknown said...

Oh - you are brilliant! I could eat that whole pan! your photography is beautiful!

Laeli said...

I'm laughing at the imagine of your hubby trying to lick the screen. A man after my own heart!
Those look really good. I've been craving peanut butter treats lately..

Natalie said...

these look incredible! the only thing better than smores is PEANUT BUTTER + smores! ;)

Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot said...

These look delicious! The butterscotch confetti squares sound awesome too!

GALaxy said...

Jane: I love s'mores, too! I have a really quick and easy way to make them when you don't want to go camping or light a fire or when you find yourself knee-deep in snow. I'll have to get the supplies and show you!

Barb: I pretty much DID eat that whole pan! I was testing them out for blog research purposes. Yup.

Lael: Yes and grabbing at them. The peanut butter is really good in these. I still want to make them with butterscotch chips though. They're really tasty that way.

Natalie: Did you see the s'mores with a warmed up Reese's peanut butter cup in them instead of chocolate? Those would be really delicious!

Lindsey: There's something very tasty about butterscotch and peanut butter. They really work well together.

Lauren at Keep It Sweet said...

I might have to make these very soon! Any thoughts on making them in advance and freezing them?

GALaxy said...

Hi Lauren! I haven't frozen them myself (they don't last long enough around here!), but I looked it up and it seems like others have frozen the confetti square portion with success. I would assume they would be ok since they do have to stay refrigerated anyway. If you're nervous, I would suggest cutting one bar and freezing it overnight as a tester and thawing it in the fridge the next day. Let me know what happens if you try it!

Joanne said...

I totally use the lick-the-screen test to determine what goes on the blog and what doesn't. It's also a good way to clean my screen. The all natural way.

Anything with peanut butter and chocolate is a serious winner with me...and adding marshmallows only makes things better!

Sara said...

OMG, these look insanely good! Love it. :) Totally makes me want to lick the screen!

SinFoodie said...

These look incredible!! Would really want to have them. I love how the bars match the checkered mat in one of the photos.

last post-> http://sinfoodie.blogspot.com/2011/07/cups-of-sunshine-chocolate-and-carrots.html

GALaxy said...

Joanne: Yeah! Licking cleans all the fingerprints off the screen after attempts at grabbing them were unsuccessful!

Sara: They're insanely rich, too. That's why I was really surprised how quickly they disappeared from the kitchen!

SinFoodie: Thanks! I've been wanting to use that paper for a while now. It seemed like the perfect time!

Emily @ Life on Food said...

Regardless of how this recipe came about,I am glad you forget the original plan. These look so good; I am drooling! The next BBQ these little bars are going to be a hit!

GALaxy said...

I hope everyone likes them at your next BBQ, Emily!

365daysofbaking said...

First time to your site and I found you through FoodPorn. The photo is gorgeous!! Congratualtions!!
I also love the pic. of the Impatiens - I miss those in my garden. I'll be back!

GALaxy said...

Thanks so much! I'm gaga for flowers, so you'll see a lot of those types of photos around here, Lynne!

Cleaners London said...

These bar are going directly in special bookmark folder for stuff to cook! They are looking so good and the ingredients are just for my taste! Thank you for sharing it.