No matter how long you’ve been on the path of adulting, everybody knows that s’mores are the ultimate campfire classic.
A friend and I accidentally left a box of graham crackers on our campsite’s picnic table once (it was dark, OK?), only to find the empty box randomly resting in the woods nearby the next morning. Our tasty, ooey-gooey nirvana was over — just like that. We’re upping our game this summer, though. There’s no way a little critter will be interested in an Elvis-inspired take on s’mores… right?
The following recipes are our favorite creative riffs on the much-loved homestyle handheld. They’re just as easy to accomplish over a fire (you’re gonna need some foil), but don’t feel limited to this trio alone; use anything from mini Snickers to chocolate chip cookies to fresh berries while embarking on your own imaginative summit into s’moresville.
And remember: stash your graham crackers before you go to bed.
The Elvis
For rock ‘n’ roll campers who aren’t fans of s’mores’ traditional use of graham crackers. Leave out the chocolate to make it truly Elvis-style.
Ingredients
1 bunch bananas
1 jar peanut butter
1 bag mini marshmallows (or jumbo marshmallows, quartered)
1 bag chocolate chips (or chocolate bar, roughly chopped)
1 pack bacon, cooked and chopped
Directions
Slice each banana lengthwise (without cutting all the way through), then slightly open. Spread peanut butter on the inside of sliced bananas. Stuff with marshmallows, chocolate chips and bacon. Wrap bananas tightly in foil. Cook over the fire, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Cookie Butter Campfire Cones
A less-messy version of traditional s’mores enveloped inside a cookie butter-smeared ice cream cone.
Ingredients
1 box ice cream cones
1 jar cookie butter
1 bag chocolate chips
1 bag mini marshmallows
Directions
Carefully spread cookie butter throughout the inside of each cone. Add a layer of chocolate chips and a layer of marshmallows to the cones, repeating until each is full. Wrap cones in aluminum foil, tightly. Heat over the fire until chocolate and marshmallows are melted, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Pot o’ Mexican Chocolate S’mores
Adapted from Taste of Home
Spicy Mexican chocolate s’mores that just happen to be hands-free.
Ingredients
1 box graham crackers
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups chocolate chips
Sprinkle of chili powder
Sprinkle of cinnamon
2 cups mini marshmallows
Directions
Combine graham crackers and butter and press into the bottom of a medium-sized pan. Pour milk over crust, then add chocolate chips, chili powder and cinnamon. Top with marshmallows and cook over fire for 15 minutes, or until chocolate is melted.
This article appears in May 26 – Jun 2, 2016.