Smore Bars for the
Allergy-Ridden Sweet Tooth
"Is there an ingredient list I can look at?"
"Is there any chance of cross-contamination?"
"So, what do you eat?"
"I couldn’t live without XYZ. I’m so sorry."
"Can you go to the back and check, please?"
"No, I can’t have anything."
"It’s ok, I’m used to it. I ate before I came."
"Go ahead, I’m fine. "
If you have allergies, especially the most common ones, you’re all too familiar with this sentence. What should be a fun night out turns into an embarrassing, stressful, whole-day ordeal. Usually, I’ll find myself calling a restaurant the day before and praying the phone number isn’t just for show. If they do answer, I have to hope they can at least give you a straight answer. Other times you’ll get a mix of “umm”, “uhh”, and “I’m not sure.”
Even though it’s expected, it never gets easier. Everyone is enjoying a sweet treat while you awkwardly twiddle your thumbs, scroll on your phone, or avoid eye contact. Nod while everyone talks about how delicious it is. Obviously, I’m not holding it against anyone. But I can assure you that allergies do nothing to curb a sweet tooth. We crave chocolate and sugar just like you. We just have to be a little more creative.
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s simple, large enough for leftovers, a crowd-pleaser, and free of some major allergens, this is the recipe for you.
Recipe
(This recipe contains ample amounts of gluten, wheat, and milk. If you’re just lactose intolerant, take a couple of lactose pills and you’ll be fine. If you’re allergic to any of these three allergens, God has abandoned you. And now, so will I.)
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Ingredients
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2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
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8 - 12 tablespoons of melted butter
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¼ cup of sugar (or ½ cup if you’re not worried about diabetes)
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1 bag of mini chocolate kisses (you’ll have leftovers)
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1 pack of marshmallows (mini or regular)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350℉
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Butter a 9x13 pan
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Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a mixing bowl
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Line and pack the mixture evenly across the baking pan
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Place and bake in the oven for 5-8 minutes or until the sides start to brown
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Remove from the oven and let it cool (this is when the crust will harden)
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Spread Hershey kisses across the mixture, covering all of it as much as possible
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Bake in the oven again for 3 minutes (just until the chocolate starts to melt)
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Remove and cool for 1-2 min
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Place marshmallows on top, and close together, on top of the entire pan
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Turn the oven onto broil. Put the pan back in and DO NOT LOOK AWAY. They probably won’t even take 2 minutes to brown. As soon as the marshmallows start to brown, take them out! Ignore me and you will burn them.
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Remove from the oven and cool completely.
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Place them in the fridge to let them harden even more.
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Cut and serve.
**I recommend storing these in an airtight container at room temperature**