Cooking with the kids: can't-miss treats

Children are always looking for ways to help in the kitchen. The trick for busy parents is find something that children can make -- and eat -- that doesn't take all day.

That said, the 80th anniversary of S'mores, has rolled around this year. Always a hit, s'mores make a fun snack for everyone. For kids, they're a sweet treat. For parents, it's easy to keep up with a child eating s'mores: just press them to the nearest flat surface, and they'll stick there all day.

OK, that last part was a joke.

Sort of.

It only works on children who weigh less than 40 pounds.....

S'mores Sandwich Bar Cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/3 cups (8-oz. pkg.) Mini Milk Chocolate Bars OR 5 Milk Chocolate Bars (1.55 oz. each)
3 cups miniature marshmallows

Heat oven to 350. Grease 8-inch square baking pan.

Beat butter and sugar until well blended in large bowl. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Press half of dough in prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Sprinkle mini chocolate bars over baked layer or arrange unwrapped chocolate bars over baked layer, breaking as needed to fit. Sprinkle with marshmallows; scatter bits of remaining dough over marshmallows, forming top layer.

Bake 10 to 15 minutes or just until lightly browned. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

16 bars.