Warm, gooey, crunchy s’mores are staples of camping trips and backyard BBQs stretching decades. Early recipes of the campfire treat first appeared in Boy and Girl Scout publications in the 1920s. Over time the unique blend of flavors has been incorporated into everything from pop tarts, ice cream, craft beer, even English muffins!
Today, classic s’mores are having a bit of a pop-culture moment, spurred on by a renewed interest in getting outdoors. The combination of toasted marshmallow and chocolate smooshed between graham crackers is cherished not only for its simplicity but as a national comfort food designed to get scarfed down with friends around a glowing open flame.
Despite an almost universal recognition as the ultimate campfire snack, I am always left wondering, is there anything s’more to s’mores? I mean, is chocolate, graham cracker, and toasted marshmallow the best we can do?
I say, “No!” We’ve seriously underestimated how much s’more a s’more can be. (okay, I’ll stop.)
Though easy and portable, I’m not a fan of the mess. The last thing you want while camping is sticky hands, or worse, a sticky marshmallow-and-chocolate-covered face. Call me a neat freak, but it’s just not an enjoyable way to spend a night outdoors. Not to mention, no one wants to smell like dessert in a tent surrounded by bear country. Additionally, not to seem snobby, but I find the sensory aspect a bit lacking. I get the concept; the crunchy and creamy combo is one of life’s simple pleasures, but graham crackers and marshmallows are more akin to brittle and spongey if you ask me.
Anatomy of a S’more
If you’ve made it this far through this s’mores rant, perhaps you agree that while celebrated and delicious, the classic s’more is not without its flaws. As noted, the structural integrity of graham is fraught with uncertainty. Anyone with a toddler knows those things are bound to crumble and never split along the terribly inadequate excuse for perforation. And yet, commercial graham crackers are expected to withstand the grip and bite force of a full-grown human being. The feat is made more precarious by the uneven filling of a cylindrical marshmallow forged in fire! I don’t have to spell it out for you that biting into a s’more often doesn’t end well.
A s’mores’ structure isn’t the only thing I call into question. I previously alluded to the treat’s failure to reach its full epicurean potential as an extraordinary culinary delight. In lieu of creamy and crunchy, smores mail-it-in with crumbly and some texture between sugary-sweet foam insulation and a campfire-kissed NERF projectile. The partially emulsified hunk of Hershey’s chocolate hardly helps to increase creaminess. Finally, does 1 + 1 + 1 = 5? Does the combination of graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey’s chocolate create an experience greater than the sum of their parts? I posit they do not.
In a pinch, most would forgive the s’mores’ misgivings, but no s’more! (Darnit, did it again.)
Just as Americans have developed a taste for high-end coffee, exotic chocolate, artisan bread, craft beer, and outdoor living, why can’t we expect more from a s’more?
Don’t just expect s’more! Demand s’more! (Last time, I s’wear.)
S’more.2 Imagine
All is not lost with s’mores. As I mentioned, the concept is there. We can rebuild it! We have the technology! I believe there exists a more delicious s’more that is less likely to end up in the dirt. Below are my suggestions for an improved s’more.
Grahams Gotta Go (as far as a building material)Listen, building a sandwich with graham crackers is like a little pig building his house out of straw; you’re just asking for trouble – and outdoor living is a no trouble zone. An alternative? Waffle cones! How about cookies? Or what about rice crispy treats? They already have marshmallows, plus a little snap-crackle-pop should improve the overall texture. You can then add the graham cracker to the inside since the pliability of the RCT would cradle the rest of the s’more–like shocks on a Jeep.
Local Love
No disrespect to Hershey, Pennsylvania, or its chocolate, but this is the Colorado West. We do things differently out here. We have our own beer in brown bottles, not green. We prefer our oysters from the Rocky Mountains (we do?), and we have our own chocolate makers for constructing S’mores, and not just any chocolate bar will do! The next time you’re on the hunt for s’more provisions, keep an eye out for some wild, wild west chocolate bars from local chocolatiers. Some companies even make gourmet marshmallows and graham crackers too. FACT: An all-Colorado-ingredient s’more is 1,000% more Colorado than slapping a Native sticker on your bumper.
Modern Twists on Classics
I know it’s taboo to mess with classics, but I hope we can make an exception. The classic s’more begs for improvisation. Add some bacon to that sucker! Heck, add some peanut butter too. Both ingredients will boost the crunchy/creamy ratio. What about adding one of those Dutch coffee cover-dealies to the middle. What are those called? Wafflestroops! How about Fudge Striped Cookies?! What about adding some fruit? Grilled peaches on a s’more sounds spectacular. Even the addition of some caramel and sea salt will have you leveling up your s’mores game.
S’mores are a fun treat, don’t be held back by the tyranny of convention. The best part? Just as there are no laws with White Claws, there are no rules with s’more (yes, not as catchy). Why are we settling when there is so much s’more to enjoy from this timeless outdoor lifestyle treat?
Make an All-Colorado S’more with these Colorado Chocolate and Candy Makers
- Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels | The Chocolate Therapist | Littleton
https://www.thechocolatetherapist.com/product-category/caramels/ - Marshmallows | Piece, Love & Chocolate | Boulder
https://pieceloveandchocolate.com/products/plc-confections-gourmet-chocolate-products - Rum Raisin Mini Bar | Cultura Chocolate |Denver
https://www.culturachocolate.com/ - Vanilla White Chocolate Bar | Nuance Chocolate | Fort Collins
https://store.nuancechocolate.com/ - Colorado Gold Bar | Roberta’s Chocolates Candies & Nuts | Denver
https://www.robertaschocolates.com/chocolate-bars.html - Loaded Marshmallows | Mountain Mallow
https://mountainmallow.com/ - Birthday Cake Marshmallows | Hammond’s Candies | Denver
https://hammondscandies.com/collections/marshmallows-and-caramels
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