Pin
These Christmas bars have become my trusted standby for holiday gatherings, school bake sales, and cozy family nights watching movies. The tempting chocolate bottom, stretchy marshmallows, and satisfying crunch perfectly capture what festive get-togethers are all about, bringing back warm memories with every taste. They're a quick way to add holiday magic whether you're rushed for time or need something that works for folks of all ages.
The first time I made these, my house filled with that amazing smell of cocoa and melted butter — you know, the kind that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking what's cooking. Now my family expects to find a container of these treats sitting out all through December.
Delicious Ingredients
- Graham cracker crumbs: create that cookie-like base with nice texture try breaking whole crackers yourself for better taste
- Powdered sugar: gives that smooth sweetness that melts away run it through a sifter to get rid of any clumps
- Unsalted melted butter: sticks everything together and adds that yummy richness grab the good stuff for tastier bars
- Mini marshmallows: add fun chewiness and playful texture make sure they're soft and fresh for better melting
- Chocolate chips: bring that wonderful chocolate goodness pick dark milk or white from a good brand for the best flavor
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: pumps up the chocolate taste go for good quality for richer flavor
- Chopped nuts (optional): add crunch if you want walnuts or pecans taste great just check they aren't stale
- Sweetened condensed milk: sweet and creamy it binds everything nicely don't use old milk from the back of your pantry
Simple Preparation
- Preheat the Oven:
- Turn your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit one hundred seventy five degrees Celsius right away. This helps your bars cook evenly through and get that just-right texture.
- Prepare the Crumb Base:
- Grab a big bowl and mix the graham cracker crumbs powdered sugar cocoa powder and a tiny bit of salt if you want. Stir really well to break up any lumps. Your kitchen will start smelling amazing right about now.
- Mix in Wet Ingredients:
- Add your melted butter and sweetened condensed milk. Keep stirring until everything gets wet and the mix looks thick and sticky. You want it all mixed well so every bite tastes the same.
- Add the Marshmallows and Chocolate:
- Now fold in those mini marshmallows and chocolate chips. Try to spread them out so they're in every part of the mix. If you're using nuts toss them in now too giving everything a gentle mix.
- Spread in Pan and Bake:
- Put parchment paper in a nine by thirteen inch pan or just butter it up. Press your mixture into the pan making it flat and even. Pat it down a bit so the bars will hold together later. Smooth the top with a spatula to make it pretty. Bake for twenty five to thirty minutes until the edges look set and the middle isn't shiny anymore.
- Cool and Slice:
- Take it out and let everything cool completely before you try to cut it. Don't rush or your bars might fall apart. Once it's cool use a sharp knife to cut into little squares that are easy to share.
I still laugh thinking about catching my daughter grabbing marshmallows straight from the mixing bowl. We've made it our family tradition to leave these bars out for Santa each year, and funny enough, they're always gone by morning!
Tasty Additions
Try adding dried cranberries or bits of candied ginger for holiday flair. A bit of peppermint extract or crushed candy canes can give a cool winter taste. You can also drizzle in some caramel or white chocolate before baking to make them extra fancy.
Ways To Serve
Stack these bars on a pretty plate with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar to look like snow. They go great with hot apple cider or peppermint tea for the full holiday feeling. For a super special dessert, try layering them with vanilla ice cream and some chocolate sauce on top.
Fun Variations
You can use gluten free graham crackers or ground almonds for the base if you can't have gluten. Switch out butter for coconut oil if you want a dairy free version. Feel free to use whatever chocolate pieces or holiday candy you like. If you don't have mini marshmallows, just chop up the big ones instead.
If you plan to give these as gifts or bring them to a party, make twice as much. Nobody turns down seconds and these always get snatched up fast when placed near hot chocolate. Just the smell brings everyone running to the kitchen, and these cheerful treats are always the first to vanish from our holiday dessert table.
Common Questions About This Recipe
- → Can I prepare the bars ahead of time?
For sure, you can make them one or two days before you need them. Put them in a sealed container and they'll stay good, with flavors actually getting better as they sit.
- → How should I store leftover bars?
Pop any extras in an airtight box at room temp for up to seven days, or stick them in the freezer for up to three months. Wrap them well so they don't get icy.
- → Are there gluten-free or vegan-friendly options?
You bet. Swap out graham cracker crumbs for gluten-free cookies or ground almonds. For vegan versions, try coconut oil instead of butter and plant-based condensed milk.
- → Can I customize the ingredient mix?
You can totally switch things up by using seeds instead of nuts, throwing in some dried fruits, changing chocolate types, or adding your favorite holiday flavors to match your taste or diet.
- → What beverages or sides pair well?
These bars taste great with warm hot chocolate, apple cider, or your morning coffee. Adding a dollop of vanilla ice cream makes them even more special as a dessert.
- → Are these bars suitable for children?
Definitely, kids go crazy for the combo of sweet chocolate and fluffy marshmallows. Just watch out for any food allergies, especially if you've added nuts or certain brands of marshmallows.