S'mores and More! 16 Irresistible Toasted Marshmallow Desserts Everyone Will Love
The combination of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows can't be beat, but it can be riffed on. Don't believe us? Check these incredible recipes.
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Who doesn't love s'mores? For many, this warm, gooey dessert is so beloved and nostalgic that the mere thought of them is enough to make you want to start a fire on a warm night. No one knows exactly who made the first s'more, but the Girl Scouts of America are credited with publishing the first recipe for the fireside treat in the late 1920s. The name is clearly a condensed version of the phrase "some more," as in "We want some more of those!" or "Give us some more." At that time, and for decades thereafter, the treat was fairly straightforward, requiring only three ingredients: graham crackers, milk chocolate bars, and marshmallows. It was pure simplicity, the ideal treat on a summer night, especially after a long day of hiking in the woods, pitching a tent, and gathering around a fire.
These days, s'mores has come to mean so much more than that simple, three-part perfection. Some might argue that s'mores has become a dessert category unto itself, inspiring new flavors of ice cream, cookies, milkshakes, brownies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, tarts, donuts, coffee drinks ("S'more latte, anyone?"), sweet quesadillas, and much more. There's almost nothing that can't be s'more-d.
You can always switch up a few things when making your own version of s'mores. Try a different type of cookie in place of graham crackers, for example, or a new variety of chocolate. Or make your own fluffy marshmallows; it's not difficult, requiring only a handful of pantry ingredients and a few hours to set. And the flavor and texture are so much nicer than those you'll find in store-bought bags.
Another option is to take the basic flavor components and have fun with them, as we have over the years. What follows are our absolute favorite versions of s'mores. A few adhere closely to the formula, while others venture farther (but not too far) afield. Read on to find your own fireside inspiration.
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Grilled S'mores
This variation on the Girl Scouts' favorite snack switches up the technique in an inspired way. Rather than toasting the marshmallows and then sandwiching them between the chocolate and graham crackers, the sandwiches are assembled first and then grilled whole; they're over the heat for just enough time that the marshmallows and chocolate get melty.
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S'mores Chocolate Mousse
Here, the messy, made-on-the-spot s'more is transformed into a sophisticated, restaurant-worthy plated dessert. Though it takes a little longer to put together, one taste of the heavenly combination of flavors and ethereal texture of the mousse will reassure you that it's worth every minute of prep time.
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S'mores Bars
Recipes for crisped-rice cereal treats already include one of the key ingredients for s'mores: marshmallows. These ones taste a little toastier thanks to the addition of chocolate chunks and crumbled graham crackers. They make perfect lunchbox treats.
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S'mores Milkshake
When the occasion calls for an insanely over-the-top treat, make someone you love the most indulgent take on s'mores we can think of: a crazy rich milkshake of chocolate ice cream, hot fudge sauce, graham crackers, and no fewer than nine toasted marshmallows. If you're lucky, they'll let you share a sip or two.
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Uncle Scott's S'mores
By brushing the graham crackers with melted chocolate, you have one fewer ingredient to pack up and carry to your campfire. You're less likely to have the chocolate slide off the sandwiches or get dropped in the dark and much more likely to get chocolate in every bite.
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Hazelnut S'mores Sandwich
This clever twist on s'mores swaps in toasted baguette for the graham crackers, Nutella for the melty milk chocolate, and marshmallow creme (otherwise known as Fluff) for the toasted marshmallows. It's a glorious, riotous mess of flavors and nonstop fun from start to finish.
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S'mores with Homemade Graham Crackers
The simplest way to put your own stamp on the beloved campfire treat is to start with Homemade Graham Crackers you've baked yourself, from scratch. Customize the cutouts as you wish (choose round or square-shaped cutters, hearts for your loved ones, or star shapes for the Fourth of July).
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Toasted S'mores Pie
Make ahead s'mores may seem like an oxymoron, but this dessert allows you to pack all the flavors of the handheld dessert into an easy to assemble, easy to slice pie that keeps well for days in the fridge. Finish with a little flaky salt on top, for the ultimate sweet-salty taste sensation.
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Star S'mores
The natural choice for Independence Day, these cut-out star graham crackers make just about any fête more festive. Use the same technique with other small shapes, like letters to spell out "Happy Birthday" or any other sweet sentiment.
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S'mores Sundaes
When there's no time to break out the coals and get a fire going, or even to heat up the broiler, here's an easy and super quick way to satisfy a craving for s'mores. Layer chocolate ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and marshmallow creme in a serving bowl, then top with a few mini marshmallow for good measure.
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Cowboy S'Mores Cookies
Graham crackers are the classic outer layer of any s'more, but that doesn't mean you can't experiment with your own favorite cookies. In these hearty, toothsome treats, we sub in cowboy cookies, chock full of hearty ingredients, including dark chocolate chunks. All you need are some toasted marshmallows to sandwich between them—and a cowboy-sized appetite, of course.
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S'mores Cookies
Make these cookies all year long to remind you of carefree summer days and nights by the campfire. Ground oats and whole wheat flour bring graham-like flavors to the dough, which is dropped before baking—no rolling or cutting required.
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S'more Please Sundaes
Indoor s'mores? Sign us up. This version relies on the oven's broiler to get mini marshmallows nice and toasty. They're placed atop graham crackers, then the whole lot is layered into bowls with ice cream and hot fudge sauce for an all-season, any time treat.
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S'mores Bark
Chocolate bark is one of the simplest confections you can make from scratch in a home kitchen, and it takes well to all kinds of mix-ins, toppings, and flavorings. This one boasts all the ingredients of s'mores in an easy to make, easy to package treat. It's so tasty you may have a hard time packaging it up and giving it away.
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Toasted Marshmallow Cupcakes
When you have some chocolate cupcakes and a bag of marshmallows, here's the quickest and easiest way to simulate s'mores. No one will mistake it for the real thing, but then again, no one will complain about it, either.