Sourdough S’mores Bars

These sourdough s’mores bars are made complete with layers of graham cracker cookie, chocolate chips and marshmallow fluff. They are just like a hot s’mores roasted over the campfire…and they finger licking good, too!

Some of my favorite memories growing up have to do with campfires and s’mores. From family vacations up north, to relaxing nights cuddled up with my husband and our babies, the smell of s’mores takes me back. 

I am happy to report this recipe scratches the itch for a s’mores any time of the year. They are perfect for any occasion-a school bake sale, a dessert for Labor Day or Memorial Day, any fall festivities. You name it, this is a great sourdough discard dessert.

These sourdough s’mores bars contain sourdough discard. Not only are they naturally fermented due to the powers of sourdough (making them easier on the gut), they put a smile from ear to ear on anyone who enjoys them.

The graham cracker cookie crust is a moist and flavorful base for semi-sweet chocolate chips and dollops of roasted marshmallow fluff. 

When cooked in the oven the marshmallow fluff becomes golden brown. The marshmallow fluff is both sticky and sweet when pulled apart. Just like a freshly roasted marshmallow. 

Really, the only difference between s’mores and these sourdough s’mores bars is you will not smell like a campfire after making and eating one.

Reasons You Will Love These Sourdough S’mores Bars

• The bars are a sticky sweet smore’s, but in bar form
• They contain the sticky mess which often comes with roasting and eating smore’s
• No campfire or roasting sticks necessary
• These can be made immediately or bulk fermented for gut-friendly benefits
• The kids can help make them – just like roasting gooey marshmallows on a campfire

Kitchen Tools

• Hand Mixer
• 8×8 glass pan

Ingredients 

• Flour (All purpose flour, whole wheat flour, spelt flour, oat flour or gluten free flour can be used within this recipe)
• Graham crackers (blended or crushed into a fine powder)
• Salt
• Baking (soda)
• Brown sugar
• Sugar 
• Sourdough discard (can be active sourdough starter or sourdough discard)
• Egg
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Chocolate chips (Semi sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate and of course mini chocolate chips work great)
• Marshmallow fluff (aka marshmallow creme) 

How to make sourdough s’mores bars

There are two methods to make these sourdough s’mores bars. Stir and bake or a long fermentation. Similar to most of our sourdough recipes, the timeline can be adjusted to your schedule and fermentation goals.

Stir-and-go timeline

To make these sourdough s’mores bars without an additional fermentation period, follow these steps.

First, combine the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until combined. Next, mix in the sourdough discard and vanilla extract. 

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking (soda) and salt. 

To make graham cracker crumbs, place them in a ziplock baggie and smash with your hands or a rolling pin. Alternatively, add them into a food processor or blender until they become a fine powder. You can leave some small pea sized pieces if you prefer texture within your dough.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients by stirring them in. 

Grease a 8×8 pan or line with parchment paper. Reserve half a cup (1/2 cup of the cookie dough to the side for the topping. 

Place the remainder of the dough on the bottom of the pan and press down with your fingers or a rubber spatula.

Spread a layer of marshmallow fluff across the graham cracker dough. Sprinkle the chocolate chips across the top. (It’s like sourdough chocolate chip cookies – but a way better sweet treat!). 

Place dollops of the graham cracker cookie dough on top of the pan. 

Bake for 20-25 minutes. If the crust seems done but the marshmallow fluff is not golden in color use a torch to light the top or place under the broiler for 2-4 minutes. 

These taste delicious warm and are even better the next day. 

Long Fermentation Timeline

To follow a long fermentation period, make the graham cracker cookie crust as outlined above. Cover with plastic wrap and press down firmly to ensure the graham cracker cookie dough does not dry out. Allow them to sit on the counter to meet your fermentation goals (typically 4-12 hours).

If you would like to ferment the dough longer, place it within the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to bake, pull the dough out 15-30 minutes prior to baking. Assemble as outlined above.

Storing Sourdough S’mores Bars

Ensure the sourdough s’mores bars cool completely on a cooling rack. Store these bars in a 8×8 pan with a lid on the counter for up to 3 days. Alternatively, transfer them to the fridge for up to a week. 

If you would like to freeze these bars, allow them to cool before placing them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Separate even layers of bars with wax paper for easy removal. These are great at room temperature or heated in the microwave for a few moments.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can you make these s’mores bars in a cast iron skillet? 

Yes- these s’mores bars can also be made in a cast iron skillet. To make in a cast iron skillet, heat the pan until warm and coat the bottom with 1-2 TBS of unsalted butter. Assemble as outlined above and cook in the oven until the crust is done and the top of the marshmallow fluff is golden brown. 

Can mini marshmallows be substituted for marshmallow fluff? 

Yes. However, we find the marshmallows tend to disappear within the sourdough graham cracker cookie crust more than marshmallow fluff does. Plus, the extra marshmallows seem likely to burn on top and the fluff does not. 

Can you use chocolate bars instead of chocolate chips?

Of course! Like a traditional s’mores, use Hershey’s chocolate bars. If you are feeling fancy, add some Reese’s peanut butter cups to the mix. 

What is your favorite childhood memory around a campfire? Mine is eating s’mores and singing church camp song with my cousins during our week long family vacations on the beaches of Lake Huron. The amount of videos we have around those camp fires are priceless. Share yours in the comments below!