5 Unique S'more Ideas
Although the mix of sticky-sweet marshmallow, crunchy graham cracker and creamy chocolate conjures up childhood memories of camping, s’mores can get old if you never break from tradition.
Play with a few twists on the classic graham-marshmallow-chocolate version at your next summer gathering and wow your guests. These five nontraditional s’more ideas cater to a range of palates – from the adventurous foodie to the insatiable sweet tooth.
Caramel Nut S'mores
Extra creamy thanks to the caramel and extra crunchy thanks to the nuts – you’ll definitely be going back for seconds. These s’mores each include two pecan halves, one soft caramel, a square of dark chocolate and a toasted marshmallow sandwiched between two graham crackers. You’ll get the best flavor if you toast the pecans first. Simply heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until they’re fragrant and start to brown. Then assemble your s’mores, wrapping each one in aluminum foil and heating on the grill for 3-5 minutes or until the marshmallow and caramel are melted to perfection.
PB&J S'mores
Lunchbox meets campfire in this ultimate comfort food s’more. A PB&J s’more uses a chocolate peanut butter cup in place of traditional milk chocolate for added sweetness and peanut buttery goodness. A few slices of strawberry offer jam-like flavor. These s’mores are actually best made on the grill because it gives the strawberry slices time to soften and melts the peanut butter cup. Simply assemble your s’mores using two graham crackers, one marshmallow, one to two strawberry slices and one peanut butter cup for each. Wrap them individually in aluminum foil and grill for 2-3 minutes or until they’re melted.
Tropical S’mores
Give your s’mores a Tahitian twist with tropical fruit and just a hint of spice. These tropical s’mores feature grilled pineapple dusted with cinnamon, white chocolate and a marshmallow sandwiched between two graham crackers. Start by slicing your cored and skinned pineapple into ½" slices and sprinkle cinnamon over each slice. Grill for 1-2 minutes on each side or until grill marks appear. Chop the slices into 2" pieces, toast your marshmallow and assemble the rest of your s’more. Close your eyes, picture yourself by the ocean and enjoy!
Lavender S'mores
Want a gourmet twist on the classic s’more? Look no further – a lavender s’more is sure to impress even the most distinguished foodie. Start by preparing your lavender-infused marshmallow: simply heat a cup of mini-marshmallows in the microwave for 10 seconds until they begin to puff, then fold in 2 tablespoons of corn syrup and 2 tablespoons of dried lavender. Assemble your s’more by placing a square of white chocolate on a warmed sugar cookie. Add a dollop of lavender-infused marshmallow and a sprinkle of lavender, then top your s’more with a second cookie. Sweet, satisfying and sophisticated.
Funky Monkey S'mores
Toasty marshmallow, creamy banana and extra cocoa flavor? Yes, please! The funky monkey s’more uses dark chocolate and chocolate graham crackers for an extra cocoa fix, and it gets an added burst of sweetness from creamy caramelized banana. Start by chopping your banana into ½" slices, then grill the slices on a grilling pan for 1-2 minutes or until they're just tender. Toast your marshmallow and assemble your s’mores, layering dark chocolate, banana and your marshmallow between two chocolate graham crackers. You can also make these s’mores on the grill, individually wrapped in aluminum foil, to give the banana a little extra time to cook. Your kids will go bananas, and you’ll be jonesing for an extra s’more, too.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends refrigerating all cooked foods within two hours.