Written by April Daniels Hussar on CafeMom's blog, The Stir.
Let me first set the record straight: I love s'mores. I love making them (usually accidentally setting many marshmallows on fire); I love eating them; and I even love the sticky mess they leave on my hands and face even though I am, theoretically, supposed to be a grown-up! Ok, now, that being said, there is a whole world of s'mores to be discovered. There are sophisticated, delicious twists on what some (me) might call the perfect food. Don't think of it as being disloyal to that campfire treat, think of it as ... an homage. A really delicious homage.
I've found a plethora of ideas, but be warned -- the last recipe, while it may sound blasphemous, is truly mouthwatering:
1. These S'mores Cookie Crumble Bars require only an oven, not an open fire, and would make a scrumptious treat to bring to a summer BBQ.
2. You can make a Pot of S'mores over an open fire or right on your stove! Gooey deliciousness. I would use some high quality, semi-sweet chocolate for this one.
3. Coffee S'mores Pie with meringue and chocolate ganache, anyone? (I think I just fainted from the very delicious idea of it!)
4. Warm Toasted Marshmallow S'mores Bars may be the ultimate comfort food.
6. What's that? In the mood for ice cream? How about a S'mores Cupcake Ice Cream Sandwich?
7. These S'mores Whoopie Pies will satisfy the kid in you, but still look quite chic. (DIG IN!)
8. My husband would die for this S'mores Cheesecake. Maybe if he's a very good boy this summer ...
9. Here's a yummy twist on a traditionally made campfire treat: Ginger and Caramel S'mores. Just use ginger snaps and a chocolate bar filled with caramel, and proceed as usual with your fire-roasted marshmallow. YUM.
AND NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR FINAL RECIPE OF THE NIGHT ...
Lemon Raspberry S'mores
Courtesy of Food Network Kitchen, which would like to assure you: "These s'mores are so tangy and tasty, like a bite of lemon meringue pie with fresh raspberries, you won't even miss the chocolate."
Ingredients
8 sheets graham crackers
3 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam
32 fresh raspberries (about 1 cup)
3 tablespoons lemon curd
8 large marshmallows
Directions
Heat a grill to medium-low heat. (The heat coming from a dying charcoal grill or a gas grill cooling down will also work well.)
Halve each graham cracker sheet crosswise into 2 squares. Dollop about 1 teaspoon of the jam on one half and top with 4 raspberries. Dollop about 1 teaspoon of the lemon curd on the other half. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Take the graham cracker squares and chocolate to your grill (as the marshmallows toast they will become soft and start to droop off the skewer). Working with a few at a time, skewer a marshmallow on a long fork or metal skewer and hold over the heat about 2 inches above the grates. Toast, turning occasionally, until the marshmallow puffs and turns golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
Place the marshmallow on top of the graham square with the fresh raspberries and gently press the graham half with the lemon curd on top of the marshmallow. Pull the skewer out the marshmallow while pressing down so it is sandwiched between the lemon and raspberry halves, and squeeze the curd and jam toward the edge of the graham. Enjoy immediately while warm and gooey.
Cook's Note: If you love apple pie, try making these s'mores using cinnamon graham crackers and substituting apple butter for the lemon curd.
So, what are you having for dessert tonight?
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