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8 Delicious Twists on the Classic S’more

The secret to ‘gram-worthy grahams.

3 Min. Read | Home & Backyard

Graham crackers. Marshmallow. Chocolate. The classic campfire treat couldn’t be easier to assemble – or harder to perfect. So we consulted with Outdoor Discovery Programs guide (and resident s’mores expert) Matt and his son Kirby to find out how they put their own spin on this ooey, gooey dessert, and how you can take your s’more game to the next level. There’s something for everyone to sink their teeth into.

The fire’s ready, so let’s get started!

1. The Classic S’more, Perfected

No matter how you make your s’more, it’s always sure to stack up. But getting the chocolate perfectly melty is always a struggle. Here’s an expert hack: position a scrap of wood at the edge of the fire (away from the flame but close enough to get indirect heat) and place a graham cracker topped with chocolate on it. As you roast your ‘mallow, let the graham warm up and melt the chocolate, then build your s’more and enjoy the perfect gooey bite.

2. The Sweet & Salty S’more

Even Matt was suspicious of this unexpected ingredient swap, but now it’s one of his all-time favorite s’more recipes! Instead of graham crackers, build your s’more with Saltines and hazelnut spread to give it a salty-sweet combo that will impress even the most traditional campfire cook.

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Quick Tip:

Sprinkle some powdered sugar into your bag of marshmallows and give it a shake to get them nice and coated. As you roast your ‘mallow, the sugar will caramelize, creating a beautiful, even brown.

3. The S’more in Seconds

You should have nothing but time when you’re relaxing around the campfire, but sometimes you just want a s’more now. Matt and Kirby like to use a pair of chocolate-filled cookies in place of traditional ingredients, with a perfectly roasted marshmallow sandwiched in-between. Use the indirect heat trick to give the chocolate from the cookie a few seconds to get a little melty, then into your mouth it goes!

4. The Gourmet S’more

You won’t believe the things you can achieve with a campfire as your kitchen! This five-star s’more gets a kick of tartness with fresh lemon curd (make your own with egg yolk, sugar, lemon, salt and butter), then comes together with a dollop of fresh wild blueberries. Matt and Kirby used all homemade ingredients, but you shouldn’t have trouble finding any of these things in your local grocery store.

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Quick Tip:

A slow, low, rolling roast will give your marshmallow a more evenly toasted outside and a perfectly gooey inside. To achieve this, experts recommend using two sticks instead of one to give you more control over your ‘mallow. It takes a little patience, but it’s totally worth the extra effort.

5. The Less Is S’more

Healthy and s’mores are two words that usually don’t go together, but with the right ingredients, you can shed at least some of those calories. Just replace the milk chocolate with dark chocolate, grab some sugar-free marshmallows and add fresh strawberry or banana slices to sweeten things up. Healthy? We’re talking about s’mores, here. Healthier? You bet!

6. The “Dirty Pillow” S’more

Sure, it doesn’t have the most appetizing name, but it’s a method that produces a flawless s’more, every time. The trick is to tuck a square of chocolate inside the marshmallow before you roast it, so it’s melted to perfection by the time you’re ready to dig in. Take a bite and watch the molten chocolate ooze out. Be warned: this one can get a little messy!

7. The Indoor S’more

Did it rain on your s’more parade? There’s a s’more you can make totally indoors that’s just as tasty, kind of fancy, and perfect for making ahead (although they’ll be hard to resist right out of the oven). Make a graham cracker crust and press firmly into a muffin tin. Bake at 350° for 5-6 minutes, then let cool and carefully pop out. Add a piece of chocolate and a big dollop of marshmallow fluff. Bake again for 4-5 minutes to melt the chocolate, then broil briefly until the fluff is golden brown. So good!

8. The PB&S’more

A cold, hard piece of chocolate can make any s’more a little less exciting, but here’s a simple fix: use peanut butter instead! Spread a hefty helping on each square of the graham cracker, then assemble the s’more like you normally would. Chocolate or hazelnut spreads also work wonders – and will create the creamiest s’more you’ve ever crammed into your mouth.

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Quick Tip:

No fire pit? No worries! Create a mini fire pit by lining a small terra-cotta pot with foil and adding some charcoal briquettes. It’s a super-fun way to make tasty s’mores in the backyard when you don’t have a fire source or feel like firing up the grill.

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