Katie's Treats

On March 10, Don took the day off from work and chaperoned Abby and Emma's first ever field trip.  They went to see a musical featuring the Bernstain Bears.  I'm not sure that Don is very willing to go on another field trip anytime soon, as from what I gather, chaos was the general theme of the day.  Take 4 kindergarten classes, 4 first grade classes, put them on 3 school buses that have drivers that don't know where they're going, and add in 48 parent volunteers, driving their own vehicles.  Send them 30 miles away, to a theater with inadequate parking, and just for fun, throw in a little rain.  Sounds like a good time, right?  As far as the actual field trip went, Abby and Emma had lots to say about riding on the bus, and about how their snack wasn't big enough.  I heard only about one small part of the actual play!

Which left Katie and Maddie home with me, and Katie was a sad, sad girl.  She really takes it hard when Abby and Emma go off to school and leave her home, and having them go on a trip, (on buses! with Dad!!) made it worse.  So I asked her if she wanted to make a treat to surprise everyone with when they got home.  She jumped at the chance, and was thrilled to do it all by herself!

We took at trip to the grocery store for the ingredients, and then came home and put Maddie down for her nap.  Then we got started.  Here is the recipe:

Warm Toasted Marshmallow S'mores Bars
1 pouch Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 cups milk chocolate chips (18 oz.)
4 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

1.  Blend cookie mix and graham cracker crumbs; add melted butter.  Blend well and press into the bottom of an ungreased 13 x 9 pan.

Katie, crushing the graham crackers...

...pouring the cookie mix into the bowl....

...adding melted butter....

...mixing....

...and pressing the crust into the pan.

2.  Bake at 375 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes, or until set.  Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over baked layer.  Let stand 3 to 5 minutes or until chocolate  begins to melt.  Spread chocolate evenly over baked layer.

Putting the pan in the oven.

Golden brown and set.

The chocolate chip layer.

Spreading the melted chocolate.

3.  Set oven control to broil.  Sprinkle marshmallows over melted chocolate.  Broil with top 4 to 5 inches from heat for 20 to 30 seconds, or until  marshmallows are toasted.  (Watch closely, marshmallows will brown quickly.)  Cool 10 minutes.  Cut into 24 bars.

Adding the marshmallows.

Ready for the oven again.

The finished treat, and a proud girl!

We made these quite early in the day, so when I cut them to serve them, I put them in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up.  Normally, I don't agree with the serving size listed on the package, but in this case, 24 bars was generous, at least for us!  None of us was able to completely finish our piece, as these are really sweet and gooey!

Abby, getting sticky!

Emma, too intent on dessert to even look at the camera!

Katie, obviously enjoying her treat!

Maddie, stopping mid bite to pose for the camera!

These were every bit as good as campfire s'mores, if not better.  They were sticky, gooey, and sweet, without the worry about supervising kids near an open flame.  These are definitely a "must do again" recipe.  I hope you try them!