Failure can sometimes be okay. With my most recent experience with failure, a failed batch of gluten free graham crackers did not go to waste. Actually, in my house, very little goes to waste and a bad, test batch of cookies is no exception.
After mixing the dough, it resembled a batter like consistancy rather than a “dough”. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to roll it out, so instead I baked off a batch, simply to test. They came out more like a cookie rather than what, in my head I wanted them to be; flat. Eli, of course, loved them. He couldn’t stop eating them. But I was malcontent and needed to turn my negative into a positive.
So, I pulverized the cookies in the Cuisinart. Such a great feeling! Stored half in the freezer. The other half needed a home; a home that took days to create. I made s’mores parfaits. Although Eli loved the whole idea, it wasn’t “pretty”. Next, I made some chocolate ganache and created a few of these tarts. As always, they were winners. But I still wanted more.
With the addition of a big batch of Carrie’s marshmallows, I altered an old favorite; the s’mores cookie bar. Finally, I was satisfied. I have made something similar to this in the past, yet the original recipe called for a pre-packaged cookie dough mix and marshmallow fluff. I altered an old favorite using marshmallows made with honey rather than corn syrup and created my own gluten free graham cracker cookie dough mix. Due to the nature of these marshmallows being whole and pure, they melted into the cookie dough giving the texture an almost brittle like feel and taste. No one complained.
Isaac’s culmination theme this year was PERSERVERENCE. I feel I accomplished that. And in doing so, I have lots more ideas on the horizon for the remainder of these cookie crumbs.
S’mores Cookie Bars
Ingredients
4 ounces | 113 grams | 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 3/4 ounces | 51 grams | 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/4 ounces | 35 grams | 1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 3/4 ounces | 190 grams | 1 1/3 cup gluten free flour mix (I make my own)
3 1/4 ounces | 95 grams | 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (I made gluten free)
3/4 teaspoon xanthum gum
1/2 teaspoon guar gum
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
7 ounces bittersweet chocolate chunks (I used Scharffen Berger)
5 1/2 ounces | 155 grams | 2 cups marshmallows (I used homemade), cut into bite size pieces
Instructions
• preheat oven to 350*
• butter an 8″ square baking pan(I love these). line with parchment and butter the paper.
• in a small saucepan, melt the butter.
• while the butter is melting, whisk the gluten free flour mix, graham cracker crumbs, xanthum gum, guar gum, baking powder, and salt. set aside.
• in large bowl, using a rubber spatula,combine the dark brown sugar, coconut sugar, and butter.
• add the egg and vanilla and mix to incorporate.
• mix in the dry ingredients.
• using a little less than half of the cookie dough, spread it evenly in the prepared pan (I used the palm of my hand to spread). make sure you get it into each corner.
• layer with chocolate chunks.
• cover chocolate with marshmallows. using your hands, press into cookie dough.
• using the remainder of your cookie dough mix, completely cover the chocolate and marshmallow chunks.
• bake 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few cookie crumbs attached.
• cool completely on a wire rack.
• place in fridge for about 45 minutes to set. cut into 16 2″ squares.
• can be stored in an airtight container for 3 days.
The Urban Baker / SusanSalzman.com
More S’mores Treats around the Web:
S’mores Brownies – Recipe Girl
S’mores on a Stick – White on Rice Couple
S’mores Cupcakes – The Urban Baker
Homemade Moon Pies – Tidy Mom
Nuts for S’mores Bars – My Kitchen Addiction
S’mores are one of my favorite summer treats. In fact, I could eat them all year round. So yummy! These GF s’mores cookie bars look phenomenal, Susan. 🙂
Agreed, Allison. There is something nostalgic about them that adults enjoy and kids love!
These look AMAZING! Susan!!
Thanks for the moon pie shout out too!
fantastic Susan! I have not seen a s’mores anything gluten free- brilliant!
Susan, I would love to see you do the “So Not A Graham Cracker” cookie recipe so then we could bake “So Not A Graham Cracker” cookies and make graham cracker crumbs from them. I have been looking everywhere for a recipe like that so I could make my own. Cheers!
Hi Cheryl Anne, I will find the failed recipe! Please be patient!
What a great idea! Love it!
Wow! What a special dessert 🙂 Hope you guys have an amazing July 4th!
Thanks, Marla! You, too!!
I love that your soldiered on to arrive at this great treat! I too have found when things don’t work as planned they very often reveal something else delicious! Happy 4th Susan to you and your family.
love these! Will share on my Facebook fan page today!
Thanks so much! I will pop on by!
We need a vegetarian version of a marshmallow! I know there is vegan “fluff” in a jar out there…but geletin? come on! That is nasty stuff. Anyone have any sources?
I love the deliciousness you made from those unsuccessful cookies — these would be perfect for the 4th!
Susan….your creations make me drool even at 7 am! These look awesome! S’mores are my favorite!
ahhh….thanks! p.s. there are a few left in the fridge – they have your name on them!
Gosh…is there anything more perfect that the combination of ingredients in s’mores?!! Yours look terrific. Beautiful photos.
I love taking something that took a lot of effort and re-purposing it. Brilliant!
These sounds SO good! I love all the smores recipes I’m seeing around now that summer is upon us. I must make some soon!
Yes – summer = s’mores. It’s simply a given like going to a pro baseball game, playing capture the flag in the neighborhood, and running through the sprinklers! Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!
I wish I had read this earlier! Looks wonderful!
Thanks, Riley. It’s so simple and it is something that can be made with pantry staples!