Easy Caramel Smore Bars

by Jamie on May 23, 2012

Sometimes there are random people hanging out at my house, that don’t really LIVE here. They just happen to be here tuning the piano or spraying poison on my yellow dandelions or blowing insulation into my attic.

Most of the time when these random visitors are here, I’m working and cooking and writing recipes for you all. When Mr. Blowing Insulation Into My Attic was here, I was taking pictures of food and was so engrossed in my project that I didn’t notice him standing on the other side of my kitchen counter. Snapping photos of food in front of blue poster board takes a lot of concentration, you know. It’s really similar to Rocket Science, so I hear. Or so I would hear if I had any Rocket Science People for friends.

The look on the insulation mans face said WHY is this weird lady taking pictures of her food…what, eating it isn’t enough! The crazy cat has to immortalize it with a camera?

But what he said was…

“Um, ma’am. I have some paper work for you to sign.”

Which I signed, while saying something like…

“I know it seems kind of weird that I’m taking pictures of cookies in front of a big piece of poster board, right?”

“Well, now that you mention it…what ARE you doing exactly?”

And I tried to explain that I wasn’t making a cookie scrap book or anything, since that would be weird since I don’t even have a scrap book for the last 4 of my 5 children so why would I make a scrap book full of COOKIES! Laaaand sakes! Ha, ha ha ha ha…um, ha.

He didn’t laugh.

So I told him, what I’m really doing is taking pictures of cookies so I can put them up on the web where I post recipes and cooking tips for people who are looking for really good recipes and cooking tips.

“Oh. Um. That’s cool. Could you give me the paper work back, ma’am. We’ll be going so you can get back to your…poster board thing.”

Rocket Science, my friends.

It’s a really respectable profession.

PS…I really love writing this blog.
PPS…Thanks for coming by to read it so I don’t have to make a cookie scrap book with all these food pictures I’ve got lying around.

The end.

Make these Smore Bars, won’t you? They are super easy to make, taste like a gooey chocolaty smore on caramel steroids, and would make your Memorial Day get together spectacular. Hope you love them.

Easy Caramel Smore Bars

Time: 10 min. prep + 13 min. baking + time to cool

Yield: 30-40 bars, cut them as large or small as you like

Recipe from my sweet friend Stephanie Schaugard

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14 whole graham crackers (about 1 1/2 packages)

5 cups mini marshmallows

1 (12 ounce) package milk chocolate chips

1/2 C pecans, chopped

1 C butter

1 C brown sugar

1 t vanilla

dash salt

1. Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Break each graham cracker in half and lay it out on the pan. Don’t worry if the edges of the crackers don’t all touch, the caramel will help to bind them together.

2. Spread the chocolate chips out evenly over the crackers and sprinkle them with 1/2 cup chopped pecans.

3. Toss your mini marshmallows evenly over the top of the chocolate.

5. Place 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of brown sugar into a medium sized sauce pan. Heat it on the stove over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture starts to boil and the ingredients have combined well and are no longer separated remove the pan from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and a dash of salt.

6. Find yourself a nice big spoon and drizzle the caramel all over the top of the marshmallows.

7. Pop the pan into a 350 degree oven and let them bake for 12-13 minutes. You want to watch for the marshmallows to puff up and get golden brown along the tops.

8. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely before cutting. They are much easier to cut if the chocolate and caramel has had time to set up. After the bars have come to room temperature you can pop the pan in the fridge for 10 minutes or so and the chocolate will set right up. If you prefer to eat them gooey and puffy hot off the pan, well then. Disregard the refrigeration idea and dig right in.

Enjoy!

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

1 {northern cottage} May 23, 2012 at 11:46 am: seriously – yummo! looks so good & easy too (great combo there!) I laughed at your story and the SAME thing happened yesterday but I was taking a picture of a stool and other painted furniture stuff in our driveway (a la my fancy schmancy 'studio') when the ups guy came – mmmm explanation? nah – he wouldn't 'get it' But I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING GORGEOUS PICTURES in front of poster board! xo

http://www.NorthernCottage.net
2 Anonymous May 23, 2012 at 3:18 pm: Men. They just don't appreciate good food blogging. Too bad I just decided I need to cut down on sweets. These look delicious!
3 Kim B. May 23, 2012 at 4:21 pm: Hi Jamie! We LOVE smores! Love this recipe as it's simple, yet scrumptious looking Thanks for sharing!
4 Anonymous May 23, 2012 at 4:23 pm: Keep on blogging… I stop by just to read it and collect more of your wonderful recipes… I just enjoy your writing!! I'm going to start taking pics of my creations too so I can make a cookbook for my family…
5 Anonymous May 23, 2012 at 4:32 pm: Not only does this recipe look fun and summery-but you have reminded me how many steps are involved in taking the beautiful food shots that you do…even the fonts-every line a different font, the plates, the straws, the certain glass of milk and the background…thanks for doing what you are doing. It only adds to the desire to make the delicious items that you so willingly share. I'm a real fan of yours. Keep it up ! Denise
6 Sheryl May 23, 2012 at 5:13 pm: These look sooooo delish, and easy enough for my aspiring bakers to handle! And, just want to thank you so much for all your hard work and attention to detail. We really appreciate you!
7 Elizabeth "Betsy" May 23, 2012 at 5:27 pm: Drooling! I love your blog, your writing style and the recipes! These look soooo good. Hope to make them this weekend when there will be enough family around to keep me from eating the pan alone!
8 foodporn May 24, 2012 at 3:37 am: This comment has been removed by the author.
9 foodporn May 24, 2012 at 3:41 am: Hi jamie,
Your smore bars looks so fresh.
I don’t mind eat this every day. LOL.
Thank you for sharing.
You can submit your easy caramel smore bars pics on http://www.foodporn.net It is a food (and drink of course) photography site where members can submit all food (and drink of course (again) LOL ) pictures that make readers hungry.
Well, you know it’s fun to make others hungry (and thirsty)!
10 Nathan and Katie May 24, 2012 at 3:42 am: I LOVE reading your blog, I think you are quite hilarious and enjoy your recipes!
11 Anonymous May 24, 2012 at 6:07 am: Love the read, and everything always looks so scrumptious. Keep going.
Also, yellow dandelions are edible… flower, stem, root and all. So if you don't spray them then it is always fun to get the kids out picking flowers for mom and add them to my cookie or salad recipes. Great nutritional value too.
12 Steph Thomas May 25, 2012 at 11:10 pm: You have amazing pictures and that is one of the many reasons why I love your blog. I have a hard time wanting to try a new recipe if I don't even know what it is suppose to look like. Thanks for all of you time and effort into your pictures. I came on JCIU because I needed to make a treat for our Bridging Night for Cub Scouts and this was the recipe that was first and I thought it went well with Cub Scouts. I got numerous compliments and a couple people told me they were her new favorite treat, she just happened to be a lady I visit teach and bring her goodies each month (recipes from your blog of course) I think I know what I am making next month:) Thanks for all of the delicious recipes.
13 Tonya September 4, 2012 at 2:30 am: What a hit! Made them for a get together, and everyone loved them! Easy and yummy…doesn’t get better than that!