The Mystery Review Crew Presents A Camping Conundrum: S’mores Bars by Stacy Wilder! These bars are all the memories of an open fire, golden brown, gooey marshmallows, and the nostalgia of a childhood summer. Note, this is the only way to enjoy them; blackened ones need not be made. Yes, I will fight you on this. Combine this with a little mystery, an amateur sleuth, and it’s a match made in heaven.
A Camping Conundrum: The Curious Case of the S’mores Bars 🔦 Brought to you by Stacy Wilder
Initial Report:
An open fire. Gooey marshmallows. Golden-brown dreams. One amateur sleuth.
Suspect: A pan of suspiciously addictive dessert bars.
Cause of chaos: Sweet layers of childhood nostalgia… with a motive for mayhem.
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Exhibit A: What Makes the S’mores Bars Criminally Good
Just the Essentials, No Red Herrings. Graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. These suspects are already hiding in your pantry, plotting to bring joy with minimal prep.
Graham Crackers: The crusty foundation of this case. No grahams? Call in digestives, vanilla wafers, or even Biscoffs.
Marshmallows Fluffy: Soft, sticky, and just a little untrustworthy if not watched. Swap with mini marshmallows or marshmallow cream.
Chocolate: This recipe calls for Semi-sweet or milk, depending on your emotional stability. Want to walk on the wild side? Sub in dark or white chocolate—or rogue peanut butter cups for your melty chocolate pleasure.
Butter: The glue that holds the base together. Cold butter? Crime. Always go with the room temperature. An unsalted may help crack the case.
Sugar: Granulated, unless you want to complicate things with brown or coconut sugar. (But hey, we won’t judge.)
Flour: Holds the crust like an alibi. Gluten-free detectives can sub in blends, but results may vary.
Fun Alternative: Peanut butter cups can be used in place of chocolate chip for a creamy, nutty flavor enhancement.
Lab Notes on S’mores Bars: Pro Tips from the Forensic Foodie Division
Cool Before the Crime Scene – Cutting too early = dessert disaster.
Room Temp Butter is Key – Cold butter is guilty of crust crumbles.
Watch the Toast Level – Marshmallow fluff can go from “golden” to “arson” real fast.
Press that Crust Like You Mean It – If it crumbles in court, that’s on you.
Sharp Knife = Clean Cuts – Otherwise, prepare for marshmallow massacre.
A Camping Conundrum S’mores Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease an 8-in or 9-in Square baking pan on all sides.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Blend or use the Food processor to grind the Graham crackers up into crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the flour mixture into the large bowl and beat on medium speed until combined.
- Spread 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the pan.
- Then spread the marshmallow cream on top.
- Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cream.
- Form the remaining dough into 8 to 10 round balls and then flatten. Layer the flattened dough in intervals on top of the chocolate chips, leaving some of the marshmallow/chocolate chips area exposed.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool.
- Once cooled, cut into squares. Enjoy!
Notes
Troubleshooting when things go South: Common Problems with S’mores Bars
Crumbly Crust? Add more butter. Blame the weather.
Charred Marshmallows? Slow your roll. Lower heat, closer watch.
Chocolate Not Melting? You probably rushed the process. Respect the oven. Use Fair Trade Chocolate.
Sticky Situation? Line your pan. Parchment = get-out-of-jail-free card.
Too Soft? Chill, detective. Literally.
How To Reheat S’mores Bars
Oven Method Best for: Restoring the soft and melty layers while gently crisping the edges.
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place bars on a baking sheet and warm for about 5-7 minutes, checking frequently to avoid over-toasting marshmallows.
Microwave Method Best for: A quick warm-up that softens the bars nicely.
Heat a single bar on a microwave-safe plate for 15-20 seconds, keeping an eye to avoid melting the marshmallows into a goo too quickly.
Toaster Oven Method Best for: Reheating smaller portions with a slight toast on top.
Set the toaster oven to 325°F (160°C) and place bars inside for 5-8 minutes until warmed through. This method helps re-crisp the crust.
Extra FAQs About S’mores Bars
Can I make these bars gluten-free? Yes, substituting graham crackers with gluten-free crackers or cookies will work well. Just ensure your other ingredients are gluten-free too.
Do I have to use chocolate chips, or can I use a chocolate bar? Chocolate bars can be chopped and used instead of chips for a chunkier texture and richer pockets of chocolate.
Can I prepare these bars ahead of time for a party? Absolutely. They can be made a day in advance and stored covered at room temperature to preserve freshness.
What if I don’t have a broiler for toasting marshmallows? You can bake at 350°F for a few extra minutes until the marshmallows turn golden. Alternatively, use a kitchen torch for a direct toast effect.
Are these bars suitable for kids? Yes, these bars are perfect for kids and adults alike, offering a fun, mess-free way to enjoy s’mores flavors indoors.
S’mores Bars are more than dessert. They’re edible evidence of good times—carefully constructed, expertly layered, and perfectly toasted. No sticks, no ashes, no mysteries left unsolved—just the sweet taste of summer and justice, served cold… or warm… or however you like your marshmallows.
Case Closed.
But beware… once you’ve tried them, you may find yourself revisiting the scene of the crime again and again.
Check out Stacy Wilder’s A Camping Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery for more cases to solve.
A heart-pounding cozy mystery filled with twists, turns, and canine charm. Perfect for fans of page-turning whodunits and outdoor adventures!
Private Investigator Liz Adams isn’t thrilled when her husband, Brad, suggests a camping getaway to South Carolina’s picturesque Poinsett Park. The mention of camping brings back a haunting memory of a childhood Girl Scout trip that went terribly wrong. But for Brad, the park is a refuge—a chance to relive happy moments from his past.
The long weekend escape takes a dark turn when Brad discovers a woman’s lifeless body in the park’s peaceful lake. The victim, the landlady of a strip center in the neighboring town of Sumter, was notorious for making enemies among her tenants. With no shortage of motives but no clear suspects, Liz and her truth-sniffing Labrador, Duke, embark on a quest to identify the culprit.
As Liz races to uncover the truth and put the killer in jail, the couple experiences one camping disaster after another. Will justice be served? Or will an unexpected twist of karma change everything?
