Hello food enthusiasts and welcome back to the blog! While I’m away in sunny California, immersing myself in the fascinating world of neuroscience, I’ve enlisted some of my incredibly talented blog friends to keep your kitchens buzzing with delightful recipes. This week promises a feast for your senses, and today, we’re kicking things off with a truly special treat that combines everyone’s favorite flavors.
I am absolutely thrilled to host Julie from This Gal Cooks, who is bringing you an utterly irresistible recipe for Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars! Before we dive into the delicious details of these heavenly bars, I just have to take a moment to gush about Julie. She truly is one of a kind – genuinely kind, incredibly approachable, and always ready to lend a helping hand. I can’t count the number of times she’s patiently answered my endless blogging questions, and I feel so lucky to call her a friend. Her creative recipes consistently make my mouth water, and many of her meals, like her easy bolognese sauce, have become permanent fixtures on my family’s menu plan. Today, she’s here to share her passion for sweets, and I promise you, her recipe will not disappoint!
An Introduction to This Gal Cooks: Julie’s Culinary Journey and Passion for Flavor
Hi everyone! I’m Julie from This Gal Cooks, and I’m absolutely delighted to be a guest on Zainab’s wonderful blog today. Zainab and I connected a few months ago, and she quickly became a fantastic friend in the blogging world. It’s always a joy to share culinary adventures, especially when it involves two of my all-time favorite indulgences: rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter! Get ready to fall in love with these incredible Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars – they are pure bliss!
Before we get to the star of the show, let me share a little bit about my journey into the world of food blogging. I started This Gal Cooks in June of 2012, fueled by a deep love for cooking and baking. Like many new bloggers, when I first started, my photography skills were, shall we say, a work in progress. My early “photo shoots” often consisted of a quick snap with my iPhone, with little thought to lighting, composition, or styling. It wasn’t long before I realized that truly showcasing my food in a way that captured its deliciousness required more than just a quick click. I wanted my readers to almost taste the food through their screens!
This realization sparked a new passion within me: food photography. I dove into online research, devoured tutorials, and eventually made the investment in a DSLR camera and a versatile lens. From that moment, there was no looking back. Every day is a learning experience, and I constantly strive to improve my photos. I experiment with different layouts, explore various angles to highlight textures and colors, and pay close attention to lighting – often natural light, which is a game-changer. I recently upgraded my gear with a macro lens, and it has opened up a whole new world, allowing me to capture intricate details and close-up shots that my trusty 50mm lens simply couldn’t achieve. It’s amazing how the right tools can elevate your craft!
- My Camera: Canon Rebel T3 DSLR
- My Lenses: Canon 100mm Macro IS USM Lens, Canon EF f/1.8 50mm lens
More Than Just Recipes: The Philosophy Behind This Gal Cooks
As the name “This Gal Cooks” implies, my blog is primarily about food. It’s where I share my culinary creations, from comforting savory dishes to decadent sweet treats that are sure to make you swoon. Beyond the kitchen, I also enjoy crafts and design, but with a full-time job, part-time school, and the demands of running a blog, my time for those hobbies is quite limited. My true passion lies in developing recipes that bring joy and ease to home cooks.
I have a particular weakness for cookies – there’s just something so comforting and versatile about them! But more broadly, I am passionate about creating delicious, simple meals that often yield enough leftovers to feed a small family for more than one day. In my busy life, easy meals and readily available leftovers are an absolute necessity. I understand the daily juggle of work, studies, and personal life, and my goal is to provide practical, tasty solutions that simplify mealtime without sacrificing flavor. My blog is a resource for anyone looking to put wholesome, enjoyable food on their table, even when time is tight. Whether you’re craving a quick weeknight dinner or a special dessert, you’ll find something to inspire you.
Indulge Your Cravings: Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars Recipe
Now, let’s talk about the star attraction! These Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars are an absolute dream for anyone who loves the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter, elevated with the gooey sweetness of marshmallows. They are incredibly easy to make, making them perfect for a quick dessert, a potluck contribution, or simply a delightful treat for yourself and your loved ones. The texture is wonderfully soft and chewy, with a perfect balance of salty-sweet that will have you reaching for another piece. Get ready to bake a batch of pure happiness!
Yield: 1 9×13 pan
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars
These Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars combine all your favorite sweet treats into one irresistible, delicious dessert!
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
Ingredients
- ½ C melted butter
- ½ C packed light brown sugar
- ½ C granulated sugar
- 1 C creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1⅓ C all purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 C small marshmallows
- 1 C semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pan: Line a 13×9 baking pan with parchment paper. This crucial step ensures easy removal of your cookie bars after baking. Make sure to leave some paper extending over the edges of the pan to create convenient “handles.”
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat paddle attachment, combine the melted butter, both types of sugar (light brown and granulated), the large egg, and the creamy peanut butter. Beat these ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth and well blended, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. This helps to distribute the leavening agents evenly. Gradually add this dry flour mixture to the wet butter and sugar mixture in the stand mixer, beating until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, followed by the small marshmallows, until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Press into Pan: Transfer the cookie dough into the prepared 13×9 inch baking pan. Using your hands or the back of a spoon, press the dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan, making sure it reaches all corners.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bars for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set but still soft. Keep an eye on them, as ovens can vary. The slight chewiness comes from not overbaking.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is important for them to set properly. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire slab of bars from the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into squares of your desired size. Serve and enjoy!
Making this Recipe? Share it with us on Instagram using #aclassictwist so we can see what you are baking up in your kitchen!
Tips for the Perfect Batch of Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars
- Quality Ingredients: Using good quality chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter will significantly enhance the flavor of your bars.
- Do Not Overbake: For that perfect chewy texture, remove the bars from the oven when the edges are just barely turning golden and the center looks set. They will continue to cook slightly as they cool.
- Cool Completely: Patience is key here! While it’s tempting to cut into them warm, cooling them completely ensures clean cuts and prevents the bars from crumbling. The marshmallows and chocolate will also set beautifully.
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
- Customization: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips (milk, dark, white chocolate) or even add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking for an extra gourmet touch.
These bars are truly a crowd-pleaser and are perfect for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to a simple weeknight indulgence. The combination of classic flavors makes them universally loved, and their ease of preparation means you can whip them up whenever a craving strikes. They embody everything I love about baking: simple, satisfying, and utterly delicious!
Thank you so much, Julie, for generously sharing this phenomenal recipe with us today. Didn’t I tell you all she makes me drool? These Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars have immediately jumped to the top of my “to-bake” list for when I get back home. The thought of that chewy, sweet, and nutty goodness is already getting me excited!
I highly encourage everyone to hop over to Julie’s fantastic blog, This Gal Cooks, for even more delicious and inspiring recipes. Her site is a treasure trove of culinary delights, catering to all tastes and skill levels. You can also connect with her and stay updated on all her latest creations by following her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Don’t miss out on another amazing recipe from this talented gal!
Discover More Delicious Recipes from This Gal Cooks
If you loved these Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Marshmallow Bars, you’re in for a treat! Julie has a wide array of fantastic recipes that cater to every meal and craving. Here are a few more of her highly-rated creations that you might enjoy adding to your cooking repertoire:
Twenty Minute Easy Tortellini Bake
Oven Roasted Rotisserie Style Chicken
Super Simple Crockpot Roast Beef
Each of these recipes reflects Julie’s commitment to creating meals that are both flavorful and convenient, perfect for busy individuals and families. Make sure to click through and explore her blog for full instructions and many more culinary inspirations!