Marshmallow Cookie Bars. Easy to make in any flavour you like. The shortbread cookie bottom gets topped by a homemade marshmallow layer made from your favourite flavour of Jello!

Marshmallow Cookie Bars. In any flavour you like.
Originally published Nov 2016.
These Marshmallow Cookie Bars are another common cookie treat around Christmas time here in Newfoundland.
Some of the recipes for the marshmallow layer that I’ve tried in the past were quite bland though, so I decided to make them a bit differently than some of the local bakeries.My biggest issue was the marshmallow layer on top. A couple of recipes that I’d been given over the years produced a marshmallow that was pretty lacklustre, both in flavour and in texture.

Lime is a great flavour for this recipe but any flavour Jello can be used.
The marshmallow was relatively flavourless and worse, the marshmallow was more like whipped jelly than anything else.
My solution to improve this recipe was first to make a slightly thicker base for the cookies. That extra strength would hold up better to support a thicker and denser layer of marshmallow.

Marshmallow Cookie Bars.
Secondly, I decided to use a very old recipe which I believe at one time came on an insert in Jello packages. The recipe was a very simple one for making homemade marshmallows from Jello jelly powder.
I whipped up the recipe as directed and spread the thick gooey warm marshmallow all over the prepared, cooled cookie base. I then sprinkled on some dried coconut for decoration and waited for the marshmallow layer to cool and set.
A real family favourite.
Honestly, I loved the way these turned out and I am a bit ashamed to say that I’ve eaten a few too many. It really was like stepping back into kid-dom, tasting these.

Marshmallow Cookie Bars. In any flavour you like.
Just as I was writing this post, lunch guests arrived at my front door. My Sister Brenda is visiting from Alberta and she came to lunch with my Mom and Dad, my sister Barb and her daughter, Taylor.
After our lunch of Dijon Brown Sugar Glazed Ham and various potato and pasta salads, I put out a selection of goodies that I’d been baking for the upcoming Christmas season.
These Lime Marshmallow squares were the hit of the cookie of the cookie platters! I guess maybe my family are all kids at heart like me.
Looking for more cookie inspiration?
If you liked this recipe you many want to check out this great collection of No Bake Cookies that was incredibly popular during our last Holiday season.
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Susie
Sunday 7th of December 2025
Do these marshmallow Cookie Bars need to be refrigerated? Am catering a party at Xmas squares/cookies etc. and would love to serve these alongside & I have to make up my trays the day before. Love your site !!
Barry C. Parsons
Sunday 7th of December 2025
They can stand out for a while. A day should be fine.
Nancy Jacobs
Saturday 12th of April 2025
I bought the ingredients for this today but noticed that the Jello boxes are 3 oz., not 4 oz. as called for in the recipe. However, they are listed as 85 g. which is what the recipe also calls for. Can I assume that the 3 oz. boxes will work? This recipe sounds yummy!
Barry C. Parsons
Sunday 13th of April 2025
Turns out they are 3 oz boxes here too. I will change that.
Jean Aylward
Wednesday 13th of April 2022
Can you freeze marshmallow squares?
Tom
Saturday 11th of December 2021
Can you use golden corn syrup in the marshmallow square bars?
Lynn Parsons
Monday 13th of December 2021
Sure
Linda
Friday 10th of December 2021
How much water do you use when making the marshmallow squares?
Lynn Parsons
Saturday 11th of December 2021
1 cup