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.