Summer Cooking Project: Homemade S'mores

We know how easy and cost effective it is to head to your local grocery store and pick up a box of graham crackers, a bag of marshmallows, and a large bar of chocolate to create America’s favorite campfire treat, the s’more. But because we like a challenge here at Chef's Corner Store, we’re talking about how to make s’mores from scratch. We hope you'll join us.

Homemade S'mores: Graham Crackers

As Ham Porter impatiently explains in The Sandlot, to make a s’more: “First, you take the graham.”

We love this recipe for Homemade Graham Crackers from The Spruce Eats. With instructions similar to a rolled cookie, you’ll be able to whip up a batch of crackers using a short list of ingredients you can pronounce and might even already have in your pantry. 

Our homemade graham crackers were delicious, and we will absolutely make them again. They would go perfectly with a cup of tea. We cut our dough free hand, but would probably use a cookie or biscuit cutter to achieve better uniformity next time. Although once you smash a melted marshmallow and some chocolate between graham crackers, nobody really cares what size they are, or that the top doesn’t perfectly match the bottom.

Homemade S'mores: Marshmallows

Making homemade marshmallows is a great way to practice your mise en place skills. You’ll be working with hot sugar syrup, which means you'll need to work quickly. Make it easier on yourself by having everything set up and ready to go as you need it.

Ina Garten’s recipe for Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows is easy to follow and has helpful tips for those of us taking our first stab at the confection. The marshmallow fluff stuck to the knife, the cutting board, the bowl, and just about anything we touched, but clean up was easy enough with warm soapy water. The finished marshmallows have a super soft texture, which did make it a struggle to toast them on sticks. But who can complain about toasted marshmallows in any form?

Homemade S'mores: Chocolate

While we almost always advocate for homemade over store-bought, we’re going to draw the line at making your own chocolate. If you're determined to try it, don’t let us stop you. But we offer several other options that don’t require access to a cacao pod.

We love substituting a chocolate peanut butter cup for that traditional square of milk chocolate in s'mores. If peanut butter cups aren’t your jam, grab your favorite candy bar and use that. Slice a candy bar like a stick of butter and add a couple "pats" to your s'more.

We also support swapping out the chocolate entirely. A dollop of lemon curd reminds us of a mini lemon meringue pie. Chocolate hazelnut spread, cookie butter, and peanut butter are also easy to smear on a cracker and help lock that melted marshmallow in place.

Is it any surprise the invention of this American campfire favorite is credited to that scrappy group of cookie pushers known as the Girl Scouts? Our favorite chocolate substitute idea has to be a Thin Mint. We love this homage to the original inventor of the s’more.

Homemade S'mores: Final Twists

Eating s’mores can be a gooey, sticky endeavor. If you’re still with us, chances are you aren’t afraid of a little mess. But we have two fun ways to put a twist on your s’more that will get more in your tummy and less on your fingers.

First, revisit our post on skillet desserts where you'll find a recipe for indoor s’mores, a fun way to turn this campfire treat into a tasty dip.

Another easy-to-eat way to dish up s’mores is by drizzling melted chocolate over marshmallows, then sprinkling crushed graham crackers over top. Chill on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet and serve.

The possibilities for creating the best s’more are endless. We’d love to hear about your favorite twist!