Elevate your campfire treats

#MiddleburyCT #S’mores #NationalS’moresDay

Confession time: I’m not a happy camper. I really don’t enjoy camping. Roughing it, sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent in the wild. No thanks. It’s a little too quiet for me. If my hotel room faces the trees, I would consider that to be camping. But it seems like everyone’s going camping, and that got me thinking about the one camp tradition I can get behind: S’mores!

This warm, ooey, gooey treat always leaves us wanting some more. Which is where the name is believed to originate. As in “I want s’more!” It’s uncertain who invented the s’more, but Loretta Scott Crew, who made them for Girl Scouts by the campfire, is given credit for the recipe when it was first published in a 1927 publication called “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” However, it wasn’t until 1974 that Merriam-Webster added it to the dictionary, making it official.

Of course, much of the fun of s’mores is cooking them with friends and family over a campfire, but if you don’t have access to a fire, don’t despair! These can be made on a BBQ, the stovetop or, my personal favorite, with a kitchen torch.

Just in time for National S’mores Day on Aug. 10, here’s how to make classic s’mores and a few creative variations to enjoy.

Classic S’mores

From classic to creative: Celebrating National S’mores Day! (www.JasonCoblentz.com)

Yield: 1 serving
Total Time: 3 minutes

2 graham crackers
1 large marshmallow
1 piece of milk chocolate (about 1 ounce)

If you’re using a campfire, roast the marshmallow on a skewer over the flames until it’s golden brown and gooey (about 1-2 minutes). If you’re indoors, you can toast it over a gas stove or in the oven under broiler for a few seconds. Place one graham cracker on a plate. Top it with a piece of chocolate. Once your marshmallow is toasted, carefully place it on top of the chocolate. Add the second graham cracker on top and press down gently. Let it sit for a few seconds to allow the chocolate to melt a bit, then dig in!

There’s Always S’more to Love
There is nothing lacking in the traditional s’more. The ingredients are inexpensive and easy to find. But let’s take the humble s’more and give it a Diva makeover, because it’s what I do. We can switch out crackers and candy bars, and add some unexpected ingredients. This way you have a ridiculously delicious finale for every BBQ, cookout or campout for the rest of the summer.

Top 10 Variations for S’mores

1. Reese’s S’more: Graham Cracker + Peanut Butter Cup + Marshmallow
2. Chocolate Mint S’mores: Chocolate Graham Cracker + Peppermint Patty + Marshmallow
3. Cookie S’mores: Chocolate Chip or Oreo Cookies + Chocolate + Marshmallow
4. Salted Caramel and Chocolate S’mores: Graham Cracker + Chocolate + Caramel Topping + Sprinkle of Coarse Sea Salt + Marshmallow
5. Lemon Meringue Pie S’more: Graham Cracker + Lemon Curd + Marshmallow
6. Nutella Banana S’more: Graham Cracker + Nutella + Banana Slices + Marshmallow
7. Cheesecake S’mores: Graham Cracker + Whipped Cream Cheese + Strawberry or Raspberry Jam + Marshmallow
8. Berries and Cream S’mores: Graham Cracker + White Chocolate + Strawberries + Marshmallow
9. Banana Split S’mores: Graham Cracker + Chocolate + Banana Slices + Strawberry Slices + Marshmallow
10. Black Forest S’mores: Chocolate Graham Cracker or Cookie + Grilled Cherries + Chocolate + Marshmallow

Now that we have all these s’mores ideas to try, we’d better get started. With or without the camping part, let’s roast some marshmallows!

Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com

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