S’mores Fudge Shortbread Bars
These S'mores Fudge Shortbread Bars are soft, fudgy, and incredibly decadent with layer after layer of irresistible s'mores flavor in every single bite. They start with the softest and most buttery graham cracker shortbread base, followed by a rich and decadent layer of fudge in the middle that melts beautifully with every single bite, and finished with a homemade marshmallow creme on top that gets perfectly toasted for that signature s'mores experience. The ultimate s'mores inspired treat that is absolutely perfect for the Fourth of July and any summer gathering!
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Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Combined with the milk chocolate to create the rich, balanced, and deeply decadent fudge layer that melts beautifully with every single bite — the semi-sweet chocolate adds a slightly bitter depth that balances the sweetness of the milk chocolate perfectly throughout.
Milk Chocolate Chips or Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar: Combined with the semi-sweet chocolate chips for a perfectly balanced, rich, and creamy fudge layer that is not too bitter and not too sweet — Hershey's milk chocolate bar adds that classic and nostalgic s'mores chocolate flavor throughout.
Milk: Whisked into the chocolate fudge filling to create a smooth, silky, and perfectly pourable consistency — whole milk is recommended for the richest and most decadent fudge layer but any milk of choice works well.
Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness to the chocolate fudge filling that enhances the rich chocolate flavor and creates the most perfectly balanced and decadent fudge layer throughout — also used in the graham cracker shortbread for a warm depth of sweetness.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Whisked into the chocolate fudge filling for an extra layer of deep, rich, and intensely chocolatey flavor that makes the fudge layer truly irresistible throughout every single bar.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the rich s'mores flavors throughout the chocolate fudge filling, graham cracker shortbread, and homemade marshmallow creme.
Salted Butter: Stirred into the chocolate fudge filling off the heat for a rich, buttery depth of flavor and a perfectly smooth and silky finish — also softened and creamed into the graham cracker shortbread for the softest, most buttery, and most perfectly crumbly shortbread texture throughout.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Adds a warm, sweet, and aromatic flavor that enhances the chocolate fudge filling, graham cracker shortbread, and homemade marshmallow creme throughout.
Granulated Sugar: Used in both the graham cracker shortbread and the homemade marshmallow creme — sweetens the shortbread to a perfectly balanced flavor and is whisked together with the egg whites to create the most stable, fluffy, and glossy marshmallow creme throughout.
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Adds richness, moisture, and a subtle tang to the graham cracker shortbread dough that keeps it incredibly soft, buttery, and perfectly crumbly throughout every single bar.
Egg: Provides structure, richness, and stability to the graham cracker shortbread dough while helping it hold together and bake up perfectly soft and golden throughout.
Powdered Sugar: Adds a delicate sweetness and a perfectly smooth and tender texture to the graham cracker shortbread dough that makes it the softest and most buttery shortbread you will ever taste.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the graham cracker shortbread dough that provides structure while keeping it soft, buttery, and perfectly crumbly in every single bar.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: Pulsed or blended into a fine flour or powder consistency and folded into the shortbread dough for that classic s'mores graham cracker flavor and a warm, slightly honeyed depth that makes the shortbread base truly one of a kind.
Egg Whites: The base of the homemade marshmallow creme — whisked together with sugar, cream of tartar, and salt over a double boiler until the sugar is completely dissolved before being beaten to stiff, glossy peaks for the most perfectly fluffy and pipeable marshmallow creme throughout.
Cream Of Tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites in the homemade marshmallow creme and helps create the most stable, glossy, and perfectly fluffy peaks that hold their shape beautifully when piped and toasted on top of every single bar.
Why You’ll Love S’mores Fudge Shortbread Bars:
Soft, Fudgy, And Incredibly Decadent: These bars are incredibly soft, fudgy, and deeply decadent with layer after layer of irresistible s'mores flavor that makes every single bite absolutely irresistible and completely unforgettable.
That Softest And Most Buttery Graham Cracker Shortbread: The graham cracker shortbread base is the softest, most buttery, and most perfectly crumbly shortbread you will ever taste — it adds that classic s'mores crunch and a warm, buttery depth of flavor that pairs absolutely beautifully with the rich fudge layer throughout.
That Rich And Decadent Fudge Layer: A rich, smooth, and deeply decadent layer of fudge sits right in the middle of these bars and melts beautifully with every single bite for the most incredible and indulgent chocolate experience throughout.
That Perfectly Toasted Marshmallow Creme: The homemade marshmallow creme on top gets perfectly toasted for that signature smoky, warm, and gooey s'mores finishing touch that makes every single bite feel like a cozy campfire treat.
That Classic S'mores Flavor In Every Bite: Every single element of a classic s'mores — buttery graham cracker, rich chocolate fudge, and toasted marshmallow — comes together in the most perfectly layered and absolutely irresistible bar form.
Perfect For The Fourth Of July: These bars are the ultimate patriotic summer treat that is perfect for Fourth of July gatherings, backyard barbecues, and any summer celebration where you want to impress with a stunning and delicious dessert.
Easy To Make And Share: These bars are simple to slice and serve, making them the perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings, parties, or any time you want to impress a crowd with minimal effort.
Perfect For Any Occasion: Whether it is a Fourth of July celebration, a summer gathering, a backyard barbecue, or any time a s'mores craving hits, these s'mores fudge shortbread bars are always the ultimate crowd-pleasing treat on the dessert table.
Tips for Making S’mores Fudge Shortbread Bars:
Make The Chocolate Fudge Filling First: Start with the chocolate fudge filling so it has plenty of time to cool completely before assembling the bars — warm fudge will be too runny to layer over the shortbread and will affect the texture of the final bars.
Cool The Fudge Quickly: Transfer the chocolate fudge to a separate shallow bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent a film from forming, and place it in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process — it should be almost completely cooled before pouring over the shortbread layer.
Add The Butter And Vanilla Off The Heat: Remove the fudge from the heat before stirring in the butter and vanilla — adding them off the heat ensures they incorporate smoothly and evenly without affecting the texture of the fudge.
Use Both Semi-Sweet And Milk Chocolate: The combination of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate creates the most perfectly balanced, rich, and deeply decadent fudge layer that is not too bitter and not too sweet — just absolutely irresistible throughout.
Pulse The Graham Crackers Into A Fine Powder: Make sure to pulse or blend the graham crackers into a very fine flour or powder consistency before adding to the shortbread dough — this creates the most smooth, soft, and buttery graham cracker shortbread texture throughout.
Use Room Temperature Butter For The Shortbread: Make sure the butter is fully softened to room temperature before creaming — properly softened butter creates the softest, most buttery, and most perfectly crumbly shortbread texture that melts in your mouth.
Don't Worry If The Shortbread Batter Looks Lumpy: It is completely normal for the batter to look lumpy and slightly curdled after adding the sour cream and egg — it will come together beautifully once the dry ingredients are added.
Divide The Dough Into Two Equal Portions: Divide the shortbread dough into two equal portions of about 450g each — one for the bottom layer in the pan and one for the top layer frozen on parchment paper for the most consistent and even layers throughout.
Freeze The Top Layer Of Shortbread On Parchment Paper: Spread the top layer of shortbread dough onto a parchment paper square with the 8x8" outline traced on it and freeze while you prepare the rest — freezing it firm makes it much easier to place on top of the fudge layer without it breaking or crumbling.
Press The Bottom Shortbread Layer Firmly Into The Pan: Press the bottom layer of shortbread dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan — a tightly packed and even layer is what creates that perfectly soft, buttery, and crumbly shortbread base throughout every single bar.
Freeze Both Shortbread Layers While The Fudge Cools: Place both shortbread layers in the freezer while waiting for the chocolate fudge to cool — this helps the shortbread firm up and makes assembly much easier and more precise.
Gently Press The Top Layer Over The Fudge: Carefully place the frozen top shortbread layer over the chocolate fudge filling and gently press it down to secure — being gentle prevents the fudge from squeezing out the sides and ensures a beautiful even layer throughout.
Bake Until The Top Is Lightly Golden And The Edges Are Set: The bars are done when the top is lightly golden brown and the edges are set but the dough still feels slightly soft to the touch in the middle — do not overbake or the shortbread will lose its signature soft and buttery texture.
Cool Completely Before Slicing: Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before refrigerating for at least 4 hours or overnight — completely chilled and set bars slice much more cleanly and beautifully than warm ones.
Make The Marshmallow Creme Right Before Serving: Prepare the homemade marshmallow creme right before serving so it is perfectly fresh, fluffy, and ready to pipe and toast — it is best used immediately for the most beautiful and glossy result.
Whisk The Egg Whites And Sugar Until Completely Dissolved: Whisk the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt over the double boiler until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture reaches 160F — this is what creates the safest, smoothest, and most stable marshmallow creme throughout.
Beat The Marshmallow Creme Until Stiff Glossy Peaks Form: Beat the mixture on high speed for 5–7 minutes until stiff, ribbon-like, and glossy peaks form — this is what gives the marshmallow creme its signature light, airy, and beautifully pipeable texture.
Toast The Marshmallow Creme Right Before Serving: Use a kitchen torch to toast the marshmallow creme right before serving for the most beautiful, warm, and gooey s'mores finishing touch — serve immediately for the best toasted marshmallow experience in every single bite.
How to Store S’mores Fudge Shortbread Bars:
Best Served Fresh: These s'mores fudge shortbread bars are at their absolute best served fresh the day the marshmallow creme is piped and toasted — the marshmallow is perfectly fluffy and toasted and the fudge layer is rich, soft, and decadent in every single bite.
Make Ahead (Bars Without Marshmallow Creme): The bars can be baked, cooled, and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before topping with the marshmallow creme and toasting right before serving — this makes them the perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings and special occasions.
Refrigerator: Store leftover bars with the marshmallow creme in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind the toasted marshmallow creme will soften slightly as they sit but the bars will still be incredibly delicious and fudgy throughout.
Make Ahead (Chocolate Fudge Filling): The chocolate fudge filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. Gently reheat until just slightly warm and pourable before layering over the shortbread.
Freezer: Freeze individual bars without the marshmallow creme in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature, pipe with a fresh batch of marshmallow creme, and toast right before serving for the best result.
To Serve From Cold: Let refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for the best soft, fudgy texture and most delicious flavor throughout every single bite.
Marshmallow Creme: The homemade marshmallow creme is best made fresh and used immediately — it does not store well once piped and toasted so it is recommended to prepare it right before serving for the most beautiful and fluffy result.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make these s'mores fudge shortbread bars ahead of time?
A: Yes. The bars can be baked, cooled, and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before topping with the marshmallow creme and toasting right before serving — this makes them the perfect make-ahead dessert for Fourth of July gatherings and summer celebrations.
Q: Can I make the chocolate fudge filling ahead of time?
A: Yes. The chocolate fudge filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. Gently reheat until just slightly warm and pourable before layering over the shortbread.
Q: Can I use store-bought marshmallow fluff instead of homemade marshmallow creme?
A: Yes. Store-bought marshmallow fluff works as a substitute if you are short on time — simply spread it over the chilled bars and toast with a kitchen torch right before serving. Keep in mind the homemade marshmallow creme is lighter, fluffier, and more pipeable for a more stunning presentation.
Q: Why do I need to freeze the top layer of shortbread on parchment paper?
A: Freezing the top layer of shortbread on a parchment paper square firms it up and makes it much easier to carefully place over the chocolate fudge filling without it breaking, crumbling, or sinking into the fudge layer — it is one of the most important steps for a beautiful and even layered result.
Q: Can I use a different size pan?
A: An 8x8" baking pan is strongly recommended for the best results and the most even layers throughout. A 9x9" pan can be used but the layers will be slightly thinner and the baking time may need to be adjusted slightly (about 5-10 minutes less).
Q: Can I use a different type of chocolate for the fudge filling?
A: Yes. Any combination of chocolate of choice works beautifully for the fudge filling — the combination of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate is recommended for the most perfectly balanced, rich, and decadent fudge layer that pairs beautifully with the graham cracker shortbread and toasted marshmallow creme.
Q: Why do I need to whisk the egg whites over a double boiler?
A: Whisking the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt over a double boiler until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture reaches 160F pasteurizes the egg whites and creates the safest, smoothest, and most stable marshmallow creme that pipes and toasts beautifully.
Q: What if I don't have a kitchen torch?
A: Place the piped marshmallow creme under the broiler in your oven for 1–2 minutes, keeping a very close eye on it the entire time as it can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly — a kitchen torch is recommended for the most control and the most beautiful toasted result.
Q: How do I get clean slices?
A: Make sure the bars are fully chilled in the refrigerator before slicing. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean with a warm damp cloth between each cut for the cleanest, most beautiful slices — slice the bars before adding the marshmallow creme for the easiest and most precise cuts.
Q: Can I freeze these bars?
A: Yes. Freeze individual bars without the marshmallow creme in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature, pipe with a fresh batch of marshmallow creme, and toast right before serving for the best result.
Love these? Check out my other summer recipes:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these s’mores fudge shortbread bars. Happy baking!
