Easy Ritz S’mores Cookies with Chocolate and Marshmallow

Meet Easy Ritz S’mores Cookies

Step into a world where the classic delight of s’mores meets the irresistible crunch of Ritz crackers, creating an incredibly simple yet profoundly satisfying dessert. These Ritz S’mores Cookies are a culinary revelation, especially for those craving that gooey, chocolatey, marshmallowy goodness without the need for a campfire or even extensive baking skills. Imagine biting into a warm, soft marshmallow, melting chocolate, and a perfectly crisp, buttery, salty cracker—all in one harmonious bite. It’s the ultimate combination of sweet and savory, a playful twist on a beloved classic that promises to bring smiles to faces of all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for a fun, quick project, these easy no-bake dessert cookies are your new go-to. They are designed for convenience, making them ideal for spontaneous cravings or last-minute gatherings, proving that delicious doesn’t always have to mean complicated. This recipe is also a fantastic way to introduce kids to the joys of cooking, as the steps are straightforward and the reward is instant gratification. Forget the fuss and embrace the fun with these wonderfully simple Ritz S’mores Cookies, a perfect quick s’mores treat anytime.

Why Make These Quick S’mores Cookies?

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for elaborate baking can be a challenge. That’s precisely why these Ritz S’mores Cookies stand out. They offer a delightful escape into sweetness without demanding hours of your precious time. Their charm lies not only in their speed but also in their universal appeal and incredible flavor profile, making them a consistently popular choice for any sweet craving.

Ready in Just 15 Minutes

One of the most compelling reasons to make these cookies is their incredible speed. From start to finish, you’re looking at about 15 minutes of your time. This makes them an absolutely perfect sweet and salty snack for those moments when a sudden craving hits, or when you need a speedy dessert solution for unexpected guests. Imagine the satisfaction of having a warm, gooey treat ready almost as fast as you can think of it. This rapid turnaround is a game-changer for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings, allowing you to enjoy a homemade dessert without any stress.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

You don’t need a pantry full of exotic items for this recipe. The beauty of these cookies lies in their simple ingredients recipe: Ritz crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. These common household staples combine to create an explosion of flavor that belies their humble origins. The buttery, slightly salty crunch of the Ritz cracker perfectly balances the sweetness of the marshmallow and rich chocolate, creating a symphony of textures and tastes. It’s a testament to how sometimes the most straightforward combinations yield the most profound culinary experiences. For another delicious and simple dessert, consider trying our Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies.

Perfect Sweet and Salty Treat

The genius of these cookies truly shines in their master balance of sweet and salty. The saltiness of the Ritz cracker cuts through the sugary marshmallow and decadent chocolate, preventing the treat from being overwhelmingly sweet. This harmonious contrast is what makes them so addictive and satisfying. Each bite offers a delightful push and pull on the palate, making you reach for just one more. This unique flavor profile ensures they are not just another sweet dessert but a truly memorable sweet and salty snack that appeals to a wide range of tastes. It’s a fun and approachable dessert option for any occasion.

Ingredients for Easy Ritz S’mores Cookies

Creating these delightful cookies requires only a handful of everyday items, making your shopping list incredibly short and sweet. The magic truly happens when these three core components come together to form the ultimate quick s’mores treat. Having these simple ingredients recipe staples on hand means you’re always just minutes away from a warm, gooey, and satisfying dessert.

Crackers, Marshmallows, Chocolate

The stars of this show are undeniably the classic Ritz Crackers, providing that signature buttery, salty base that sets this s’mores variation apart. For marshmallows, standard large-sized ones work best, as they puff up beautifully in the oven, creating that signature gooey center. When it comes to chocolate, choose your favorite milk chocolate squares, such as Hershey’s bars, which are designed to melt perfectly. You could also use chocolate chips, though squares melt more evenly for a classic s’mores appearance. The quality of your chocolate can make a subtle difference, so pick one you truly enjoy.

Quantity for 12 Servings

To make a batch of 12 delicious Ritz S’mores Cookies, you will need:

• 24 Ritz Crackers (one for the base, one for the top of each cookie)
• 12 Large Marshmallows (one per cookie)
• 12 Squares of Milk Chocolate (or roughly 60g / 2 oz of chocolate chips), enough for one square per cookie

This quantity is perfect for a small gathering or for a family dessert night. If you’re hosting a bigger party or simply want to have more on hand, it’s incredibly easy to double or even triple this recipe. Just ensure you have enough baking sheets to accommodate the increased volume without overcrowding, as adequate space helps everything bake evenly and prevents sticking.

Gather Your Simple Kitchen Tools

One of the many appealing aspects of making Easy Ritz S’mores Cookies is the minimal equipment required. You won’t need any fancy gadgets or specialized baking tools, which makes this recipe accessible to everyone, regardless of their kitchen setup. This simplicity ensures that preparing these quick s’mores treat is stress-free and enjoyable, focusing more on the fun of creating than on intricate equipment handling.

What You’ll Need

Before you begin the assembly process, gather these few basic items:

• Baking Sheet: A standard large baking sheet is essential to arrange your crackers and marshmallows. Choose one with a rim to prevent any potential drips or spills in your oven.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: This is a crucial tool for easy cleanup and to prevent your sticky marshmallows from adhering to the baking sheet. A good non-stick surface ensures your delicious cookies lift off effortlessly once cooled.
• Oven Mitts: For safely handling the hot baking sheet from the oven.
• Spatula: A flat spatula can be helpful for transferring the finished cookies once they’ve cooled slightly, though often, they can be picked up by hand.
• Cooling Rack (Optional but Recommended): While not strictly necessary, a cooling rack allows for air circulation, which helps the cookies set up properly and prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy if left on a hot pan.

With these few simple tools ready, you’re well-equipped to create a batch of perfect sweet and salty snack s’mores cookies. The ease of preparation is truly one of the main highlights of this recipe.

Prepping for Ritz S’mores Cookies

Proper preparation is key to ensuring your Easy Ritz S’mores Cookies turn out perfectly, offering that delightful balance of sweet, salty, and gooey texture. Although this recipe is incredibly simple, taking a moment to set up your workspace and oven correctly will streamline the entire process, making the cooking experience as smooth as possible. These initial steps are fast, helping you get to the delicious part even quicker.

Preheat Oven to 350°F (175°C)

The first and most important step is to preheat your oven. Set it to a moderate 350°F (175°C). A properly preheated oven ensures that the marshmallows toast evenly and quickly, achieving that desirable puffed-up, slightly browned exterior without melting too rapidly or unevenly. Resist the urge to place your cookies into a cold oven, as this will drastically alter the baking time and could result in less-than-perfectly gooey centers. Give your oven ample time to reach the set temperature; typically, 10-15 minutes after the indicator light comes on is a good practice.

Line Your Baking Sheet

Next, prepare your baking sheet. Line it generously with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step is absolutely critical. Marshmallows, once heated and gooey, become incredibly sticky, and direct contact with an unlined baking sheet can lead to a very messy cleanup and potentially ruined cookies. The non-stick surface ensures that your finished Ritz S’mores Cookies can be easily removed once they’ve cooled slightly, preserving their shape and making serving a breeze. This simple precaution will save you a lot of hassle and guarantee a successful sweet and salty treat.

Placing Ritz Crackers on Tray

With your oven preheated and your baking sheet properly lined, it’s time to start assembling the base of your delicious Ritz S’mores Cookies. This step is straightforward but important for setting up each individual cookie to perfection. Careful placement ensures even baking and makes the subsequent steps much easier, leading to a perfectly formed quick s’mores treat every time.

Flat Side Down Arrangement

Take your Ritz crackers and arrange them in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. It’s important to place them with their flat side down. The flat side provides a stable base for the marshmallow, preventing it from tipping over as it puffs up in the oven. The patterned, slightly curved side will be facing up, which adds to the visual appeal of the finished cookie once the marshmallow is added. Leave a little space—about an inch—between each cracker. This spacing is crucial because the marshmallows will expand quite a bit as they heat up, and you don’t want them sticking to each other. Overcrowding can also lead to uneven baking. Aim for an orderly grid, making it easy to add the marshmallows and chocolate later. This thoughtful arrangement is a small detail that contributes significantly to the overall success and presentation of your homemade s’mores.

Adding Marshmallows to Crackers

Now that your Ritz crackers are perfectly spaced on the baking sheet, it’s time to introduce the star of the gooey show: the marshmallows. This step is where your Ritz S’mores Cookies truly begin to take shape, promising that classic fluffy, sweet texture that defines a s’more. Careful placement ensures each cookie receives the right amount of marshmallow for optimal melting and browning, creating a delightful sweet and salty treat.

One Marshmallow Per Cracker

Place one large marshmallow directly on top of each Ritz cracker. Ensure the marshmallow is centered as much as possible on the cracker. This central placement is important for a couple of reasons: firstly, it helps the marshmallow to melt evenly over the cracker without dripping too much off the sides, and secondly, it ensures a visually appealing finished cookie. If your marshmallows are slightly oversized for the crackers, that’s perfectly fine; they will soften and spread. Use standard large marshmallows for the best results; mini marshmallows tend to melt too quickly and can create a less substantial gooey layer, while jumbo marshmallows might be too large and overpower the cracker. This simple ingredient recipe focuses on balance, and the large marshmallow provides just the right ratio of fluffiness to the crisp cracker base for a truly satisfying bite of your quick s’mores treat. Make sure they are standing upright, not on their side, to facilitate even toasting.

Baking Your S’mores Creations

The moment of truth arrives as your Ritz S’mores Cookies enter the oven, ready to transform into that irresistible gooey treat everyone loves. This step is remarkably quick, showcasing the efficiency of this easy no-bake dessert adaptation. Keep a close eye on them, as marshmallows can go from perfectly toasted to burnt in a blink.

Oven Time: About 5 Minutes

Carefully slide your baking sheet, laden with crackers and marshmallows, into the preheated 350°F (175°C) oven. The baking time for these delights is incredibly short, typically around 5 minutes. The goal isn’t to bake the crackers, but to soften and toast the marshmallows to perfection. Set a timer, but also trust your eyes, as oven temperatures can vary slightly. This short bake time contributes significantly to why these are considered fast sweet craving cookies, perfect when you need a delicious dessert in a hurry. For more fast sweet cravings, check out our Desserts category for inspiration.

Look for Puffy, Lightly Browned Marshmallows

During those crucial five minutes, watch the marshmallows closely. You’re looking for them to puff up considerably, becoming wonderfully soft and pillowy. The tops should turn a beautiful, light golden brown, indicating they are perfectly toasted. A slightly darker brown is fine if you prefer a more roasted flavor, but avoid letting them become too dark or charred, as they can quickly burn and develop a bitter taste. Once they reach this ideal puffy and lightly browned stage, promptly remove the baking sheet from the oven. The marshmallows will be incredibly soft and gooey, ready for the chocolate, making a homemade s’mores that’s hard to resist.

Adding Chocolate to Hot S’mores

Immediately after pulling your perfectly toasted marshmallows and crackers from the oven, it’s time for the chocolate. This step is critical to achieving that classic gooey, melty s’mores experience. The residual heat from the freshly baked marshmallows is precisely what’s needed to transform solid chocolate into a luscious, smooth layer, ensuring every bite of your easy no-bake dessert is pure bliss.

Place Squares Immediately

As soon as the baking sheet is out of the oven, don’t delay! Take your pre-portioned chocolate squares or pieces and quickly place one directly on top of each hot, puffy marshmallow. The warmth of the marshmallow will instantly begin to work its magic, softening the chocolate. Speed is of the essence here; if you wait too long, the marshmallows will start to cool and firm up, making the chocolate melting process less effective. The goal is to get that chocolate to melt into a creamy layer, fusing with the marshmallow and cracker base to form a truly delicious cookie. This immediate action creates the perfect foundation for your quick s’mores treat.

Let Chocolate Soften

Once the chocolate pieces are on top of the hot marshmallows, allow them a moment to soften. You’ll visibly notice the chocolate beginning to sheen and become pliable. This softening takes just a minute or two. You can gently press down on the chocolate squares with another Ritz cracker (which you’ll use for the top) to help spread the melting chocolate and ensure good adhesion to the marshmallow. This gentle pressure also helps to create that satisfyingly flat sandwich shape for your finished Ritz S’mores Cookies. The result is a wonderfully integrated layer of chocolate, ready for the final cracker topping. This simple ingredient recipe delivers big flavor.

Finishing Easy Ritz S’mores Cookies

The final steps in creating your Easy Ritz S’mores Cookies are quick and bring everything together into a perfectly irresistible package. This is where your individual components transform into a cohesive, delicious cookie, ready for enjoying. The assembly is straightforward, ensuring that your quick s’mores treat is not only tasty but also conveniently handled.

Top with Another Cracker

Once your chocolate has softened nicely on top of the gooey marshmallow, it’s time to complete the sandwich. Take the remaining Ritz crackers and gently place one on top of each chocolate-covered marshmallow. The top cracker acts as a lid, sealing in all that delicious gooeyness and adding another layer of that signature salty crunch. This creates the quintessential s’mores sandwich structure, making the cookies easy to pick up and eat without too much mess.

Press Gently to Sandwich

After placing the top cracker, apply a very gentle press. You don’t need to press hard; just enough to slightly flatten the marshmallow and chocolate, ensuring the top cracker adheres well to the softened chocolate. This gentle pressure helps to evenly distribute the melted chocolate and marshmallow, creating a compact and stable cookie. Be careful not to press too forcefully, as you might squeeze out the filling or break the crackers. The goal is a unified, neat sweet and salty snack that holds its form well.

Cool Slightly Before Eating

While it’s incredibly tempting to devour these delicious cookies immediately, allowing them to cool slightly for a few minutes is highly recommended. This brief cooling period allows the chocolate to set just enough to be less messy and the marshmallow to firm up slightly while still retaining its delightful gooeyness. Eating them piping hot can also be quite challenging due to the extreme stickiness. A few minutes on the baking sheet or a cooling rack will make them much easier to handle and enjoy, offering the best texture and flavor. For other delicious cookies that require a quick chill, try our Snickerdoodle Cobbler or even a Quick Italian Cream Cake, though these are more elaborate dessert creations.

Tips for Perfect S’mores Every Time

While Easy Ritz S’mores Cookies are incredibly simple to make, a few insider tips can elevate your quick s’mores treat from great to absolutely unforgettable. These little tricks ensure consistency, minimize mess, and enhance the overall enjoyment of your sweet and salty snack, making every batch a resounding success.

Extra Gooeyness Option

If you’re a true fan of maximum gooeyness, consider adding a second marshmallow on top of the first one before baking. This creates a double layer of soft, melted marshmallow, resulting in an even more indulgent and stretchy filling. Just be mindful that with extra marshmallow, the baking time might need to be extended by another minute or so, and the cookies might be a bit taller, making them slightly trickier to sandwich perfectly. However, for those who prioritize the ultimate marshmallow experience, this modification is well worth the slight adjustment.

Prevent Sticking with Paper

As mentioned, parchment paper or a silicone baking mat is your best friend when making these cookies. Marshmallows are notoriously sticky when hot, and attempting to remove them from an unlined pan can be a frustrating and messy affair. If you find your cookies are still a bit sticky on the bottom even with paper, you can lightly spray the parchment paper with a non-stick cooking spray before placing the crackers, especially if your paper isn’t top-tier non-stick. This extra step guarantees an easy release and keeps your delicious cookies intact.

Cooling for Best Results

Patience truly is a virtue with these s’mores. While they are delightful warm, allowing them to cool for 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet or a cooling rack significantly improves their stability and reduces mess. During this cooling period, the chocolate will firm up slightly, and the marshmallow will become less fluid, making the cookies easier to handle and less prone to falling apart. If you want them even firmer, you can place them in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes, which will set the chocolate completely, offering a different texture that’s still equally delicious.

Fun Ways to Change Your S’mores

While the classic Ritz S’mores Cookie is a masterpiece in itself, part of the joy of simple ingredient recipes is their adaptability. These quick s’mores treat are incredibly versatile, offering endless opportunities for customization and personal flair. Experimenting with different additions can transform your familiar sweet and salty snack into an exciting new culinary adventure, making them a delicious cookie experience every time.

Try Different Chocolates

Don’t limit yourself to traditional milk chocolate! The world of chocolate is vast and full of exciting possibilities. For a richer, more intense flavor, try dark chocolate squares. If you prefer a creamier, milder profile, white chocolate chips or squares can be a delightful alternative. You could even use specialty chocolates like hazelnut-filled squares, caramel-filled chocolates, or those with a hint of chili for an adventurous twist. Break up chocolate bars of your favorite gourmet varieties to add a sophisticated touch. Each type of chocolate brings its unique characteristics, altering the overall taste and texture of your homemade s’mores dramatically.

Add a Pinch of Sea Salt

To further enhance the beloved sweet and salty dynamic, a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt sprinkled over the melted chocolate before placing the top cracker can work wonders. The coarse salt crystals provide a delightful textural contrast and amplify the flavors, making the chocolate taste even richer and the overall cookie more complex. It’s a small addition that makes a big impact, turning a simple sweet and salty snack into something truly gourmet. This is especially fantastic if you’re using darker chocolates, as the salt beautifully offsets any bitterness and highlights the cocoa notes.

Peanut Butter or Spiced Twists

For those who love a bit more complexity, consider adding a thin smear of peanut butter on the bottom Ritz cracker before the marshmallow. The nutty, creamy layer will melt slightly, mingling wonderfully with the chocolate and marshmallow for a truly decadent treat. Alternatively, sprinkle a tiny dash of cinnamon or pumpkin spice on the marshmallow before baking for a warm, aromatic twist, especially appealing during fall or winter months. A small drop of mint extract on the chocolate before it sets can create a refreshing mint chocolate s’mores. The possibilities are truly limitless, inviting you to get creative with your quick s’mores treat. Follow us on Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious cookie recipes and inspiration!