S'mores Breakfast Bars

This post and recipe was created specifically for #BackToSchoolTreats. I was sent samples by some of the sponsors but all words, photos and opinions are mine.
These S'mores Breakfast Bars are a great start to a great day, reminiscent of long summer nights filled with toasted marshmallows and gooey chocolate treats.

Summer is winding down, and we are celebrating with #BacktoSchoolTreats hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures. All week-long 30 bloggers will be sharing 100+ fantastic recipes for both parents and kids, with breakfasts, snacks, desserts, and drinks to get you back in the school routine. Thank you sponsors for providing the prize packages. Don't forget to enter the giveaway HERE!

Thank you to #BacktoSchoolTreats Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Sweets & Treats, Torani, Taylor & Colledge, and Flahavan's for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BacktoSchoolTreats recipes. All opinions are my own. The #BacktoSchoolTreats giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning.

The last thing you want to do is think about school, I know. But guess what: the first day of school will be here before you know it. And on top of that, meal and snack planning isn't that bad when you've made a couple of batches of these bars to eat for breakfast when you're in a hurry.

I gotta admit: These bars did not go gentle into that good night. I had to fight with them a little to get them out of the pan. Kind of like... when you have to tussle with your child or teen about getting out of bed and to school on time? Yeah, a little bit like that. After I portioned each bar and placed each one on a piece of wax paper, the struggle was NOT real any longer. It was easy to pack them up in containers to be eaten later.

When I was a kid, I would have LOVED to have something like this for breakfast instead of a bowl of cereal, oatmeal or a heavy biscuit or bagel. There's plenty of sugar in here to fuel you through snack time and if eaten with some milk or juice, you're really good to go until the next meal!

S'mores can be eaten year-round, but there's nothing like having them all summer long. Whether you roast them over an open fire, puff them up in a microwave or sneak them under a broiler, the marshmallow is held in high regard. Mini chocolate chips work best but if you want to chunk it up with big ol' pieces of dark chocolate, I am not going to discourage you. As a matter of fact, I'm going to encourage you to do that and add raisins if you like. Get wild! Add M&Ms! Sky's the limit!

But joking aside, I'm really looking forward to munching on these the next few mornings.

S'mores Breakfast Bars
1 1/2 cups granola OR old-fashioned quick oats (not instant)
1 1/4 cup mini marshmallows 
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup sunflower seed butter or other nut butter
2 Tablespoons milk or cream
1/2 Teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F; lightly coat an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray or olive oil. 
2. In a bowl, toss together the oats, marshmallows, chocolate chips, salt and ground cinnamon. Set aside. 
3. In a second bowl blend together the honey, sunflower seed butter, milk and vanilla. Pour honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir until completely coated. 
4. Pour mixture into prepared pan and press firmly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until beginning to brown and turn bubbly. Remove from oven, let stand for 10 minutes.
5. Cut into bars while still warm. Let cool completely before removing from the pan. Store in air tight container. Bars will last up to a week.

Check out these #BacktoSchoolTreats recipes from our Bloggers:

Back to School Breakfasts:

Air Fryer Almond Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Apple and Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal from Jen Around the World

Cherry Almond Scones from The Redhead Baker

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Overnight Oats from Tara's Multicultural Table

Chocolate Oatmeal Surprise from Girl Abroad

Chorizo, Sausage and Caramelized Onion Mini Quiche from My Sweet Zepol

GF Banana Bread Muffins from Frugal & Fit

Rainbow Sprinkle Pancakes from A Day in the Life on the Farm

S'mores Breakfast Bars from Nik Snacks

Back to School Snacks:

ABC 123 Snack Mix from Big Bear's Wife

Banana Sushi from Simple and Savory

Blueberry Granola Bars from Karen's Kitchen Stories

Granola Trail Mix Snack Packs from Home Sweet Homestead

Back to School Desserts:

Apple Cake with Vanilla Bean Sauce from Our Good Life

Apple Slice Donuts from For the Love of Food

Cereal Milk Macaron from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures

Funfetti Cookie Dough Bars from The Spiffy Cookie

Funfetti Vanilla Dirt Cups from Love and Confections

Gluten Free Lemon Cream Bars from The Mandatory Mooch

Loaded Chocolate Chunk Bar Cookies from Hardly A Goddess

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes from Daily Dish Recipes

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies from Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats

Spiced Honey Hazelnut Cookies from Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Back to School Drinks:

Affogato Vanilla Milkshake from Family Around the Table

Apple Pie Latte from The Beard and The Baker

Hot Buttered Caramel Rum from The Domestic Kitchen