The classic s'more is hard to beat, but a few swaps keep the tradition fresh. Here are twelve ideas, plus the method that makes any of them work.
A s'more needs a warm marshmallow, something sweet that melts and something crisp to hold it together. Toast the marshmallow over embers, as described in how to roast the perfect marshmallow, then press it between your layers while it is soft.
Chocolate melts best when it sits against the hot marshmallow for a short time. Set your layers on a plate or flat rock and wait a moment before eating, since the center will be hotter than it looks.
Patience helps. Rushing a marshmallow over high flames makes a black shell around a cold center, and chocolate stays hard. A slower toast makes a better sandwich with every variation below.
Prepare the layers before anyone starts toasting. Break the chocolate into squares, line up the bases on a plate and set out napkins. When the marshmallow is ready, the sandwich should take only seconds to assemble, because the heat fades fast.
Change the base and the whole experience changes. These are easy to find at any grocery store.
Think about texture as well as flavor. A soft cookie and a soft marshmallow can feel mushy, so pair a chewy base with a crisp element such as pretzel or a thin cracker on top.
Keep a few plain crackers and chocolate squares on hand for anyone who likes the classic. Variety is great, but half the fun is the shared ritual, and not every kid wants peanut butter in their dessert.
Milk chocolate is traditional, but other fillings can work well. Peanut butter cups give a salty note and a creamy center. Dark chocolate balances the sugar of the marshmallow. Cookie butter, hazelnut spread or caramel squares add richness.
Many people like to add a thin slice of banana or a few raspberries between the layers. Fruit brings acidity that cuts through the sweetness, and it warms nicely beside the chocolate.
Candy bars, chopped into pieces, make an easy substitute when squares are not available. Caramel-filled bars melt into a gooey center, and crisp-wafer bars add crunch. Try thin mints or mint chocolate for a cool contrast to the toasted sugar.
If the wind is blowing or you want a tidier option, use a pie iron. Layer your cookie base, chocolate and marshmallow, close the iron and warm it over coals, turning often. Step-by-step help is in pie iron recipes and how to use a pie iron.
A pie iron also lets you make a breakfast version with buttered bread, fruit and cream cheese, which is a gentler way to start a morning.
Foil packets offer another path. Wrap the assembled s'more loosely in foil and set it at the edge of the coals for a short time, turning once. It is a calm way to feed a group at once when everyone is hungry, but watch it closely because sugar scorches quickly.
Sweet and salty snacks go well together. Crush a handful of fresh campfire popcorn over a finished s'more for crunch, or toss warm popcorn with melted chocolate and a pinch of salt. Learn the base recipe in how to make campfire popcorn.
For a dessert that feels more like a plate than a snack, break up a few crackers in a bowl, add warm popcorn, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows, and stir until the chocolate softens. It is a loose cousin of the s'more that needs no stick at all and is easy to share.
Set up a s'mores bar with a tray of toppings so everyone builds their own. Keep kids seated and supervised, as covered in campfire cooking safety for kids, and watch for allergies, since swaps like peanut butter, nuts and certain cookies may contain common allergens. Read labels when you cook for a group.
Remember to put the fire out completely once the sugar is gone. Allow time to drown, stir and feel before bed.
Keep wipes or a bucket of warm water nearby for sticky fingers. Children who have melted chocolate on their hands are more likely to drop sticks and skewers, so cleaning up between rounds is a safety step as much as a courtesy.
If the group is large, set up two stations, one for toasting and one for assembling, so the fire circle never gets crowded. Assemblers can stay seated at a table while toasters take turns, which keeps hot sticks and eager hands apart.
In autumn, try a ginger snap with a spoon of apple butter and a slice of sharp cheddar, or a spiced cookie with caramel. In summer, strawberries and white chocolate lean fresh. In winter, a peppermint patty between two chocolate cookies tastes like a holiday cookie in sandwich form.
Breakfast versions can be built with waffle cookies, a spread of peanut butter and sliced banana. A dessert board with six toppings lets guests invent their own.
Pack your toppings in a flat container so crackers do not break, and keep chocolate out of the sun. A rimmed tray, a roll of paper towels and a bag for trash make the s'mores bar easy to manage.
Sugar attracts insects and animals. Clean sticky hands, wipe the table and store leftovers in a sealed container or the car rather than in a tent. Dispose of wrappers properly and make sure none go into the fire, since Forest Service guidance asks campers not to burn trash.
Cookies, shortbread, pretzel crisps, ginger snaps and waffle cookies all work.
Press it against a warm marshmallow and let it sit for a moment before eating.
Yes, with an oven or a stove, though the flavor of a toasted marshmallow over embers is special.
Read labels on every ingredient and ask guests about allergies before you set out toppings.
Be first to hear about launch dates, early gear and new campfire guides.