Easy S'Mores Shortbread Tart

If you're not from the United States, you might not be familiar with S'mores. S'mores are a beloved American summer treat consisting of marshmallows that are toasted (usually over an open campfire or hot grill) until they are melty and gooey. A chocolate bar is tucked inside two graham crackers to make this "sandwich" which begins to melt from the heat of the toasted marshmallow, yielding a delicious (and as you can imagine, messy and gooey) sweet confection.

The first time the word "s'mores" appeared in print was in a 1927 guidebook, Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts, published by the Girl Scouts of America. Their explanation of the unusual name was that combining these ingredients yielded ".... a tasty treat that is so good you will want ‘some more". The rest of the story is history with millions of American kids (and adults!) growing up with s'mores as a classic summer staple; especially popular on our patriotic holidays.

• 1 Hershey milk chocolate candy bar, Regular size - 1.5 ounces (43g)
• 8 ounces very soft butter, 2 sticks
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 7 ounces marshmallow creme, (1 jar)
• 1 cup chocolate chips, milk chocolate or semisweet
• 2 tablespoons semi-sweet mini chips, (optional)