A classic S'more combines graham crackers, chocolate and toasted marshmallow.

This is the time of year for camping, which is all about enjoying the great outdoors … and S’mores! We have the Girls Scouts to thank for this classic campfire dessert – the first written recipe for S’mores is apparently in a 1927 Scout handbook.

For the uninitiated, these treats traditionally consist of a gooey toasted marshmallow and a piece of chocolate, pressed between two pieces of graham cracker. There are all kinds of variations on this combination; you can make it as gourmet or decadent as you want. There are also some S’more-inspired desserts, which use the same elements (graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate) in different ways.

Fortunately, you don’t have to plan a camping trip or get the fireplace going to enjoy S’mores. If you’ve got the basic ingredients, and a microwave or toaster oven for toasting the marshmallows, you’re all set. This video provides a nice overview for those who have never made or eaten S’mores.

• Making S’mores is definitely a child-friendly activity. Here’s a photo tutorial on making S’mores indoors, posted by the Myrah kids (ages 9, 7 and 5).
• If it’s been a few years since you went marshmallow shopping, you might be unaware that they’re available in different flavors, including chocolate, lemon and coffee. You could always try putting a gourmet marshmallow in your S’more.
• Here’s a guide to making Mexican S’mores, which call for tortillas and peanut butter.
• Lora’s Recipes suggests substituting a piece of banana for the marshmallow, or adding toasted coconut to the S’more. You can also use whatever kind of cookie you like.

These S'mores Bars make a fun dessert for a summer party.
Photo courtesy of Alysha Russo at The Savory Notebook.

• Here’s a recipe for S’mores Bars (pictured above), which is based on a recipe from Gourmet magazine. In this version, you make a graham cracker crust, cover it with melted chocolate and mini marshmallows, then broil it in the oven.
• If you can make S’mores Bars, then you're also ready for S’mores Cookies, which incorporate graham cracker crumbs and marshmallows into chocolate chip cookie dough.
• Yet another format is cupcakes. These S’mores Cupcakes are frosted with marshmallow Fluff topping, then drizzled with graham cracker crumbs. They look irresistible.
• Here’s a recipe for a very grownup Vegan S’mores Cake. Certainly not something to be made over a campfire!
• Now, if you’re REALLY serious about toasting marshmallows, you might be in the market for the Spinmallow. It’s a battery-operated skewer that rotates the marshmallow for even toasting.

Happy camping!

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