Ultimate S’mores Cookie Treats

Ultimate Homemade S’mores Marshmallow Treats with Chocolate Cookies: A Picnic Perfect Delight

These exquisite marshmallow treats are expertly transformed into classic S’mores, nestled between crispy chocolate cookies. The result is a truly perfect dessert, ideal for any picnic, backyard BBQ, or cozy evening by the fire.

For quite some time, an exciting idea had been simmering in my mind: the joyful process of crafting my own marshmallows from scratch, and then elevating them into the beloved S’more experience. I’ve often come across numerous recipes in blogs and cookbooks, but they almost invariably called for traditional Graham crackers and a simple piece of chocolate. While delightful, Graham crackers aren’t always readily available or easy to source in places like the Netherlands, which presented a fun challenge for innovation.

This quest for an alternative led my attention to a familiar and beloved item: biscuits with a generous, luscious layer of chocolate. These seemed like a brilliant, readily accessible alternative, promising to deliver that essential chocolatey crunch and melt without the hassle of a specific hunt. The thought of combining the homemade, pillowy marshmallows with these everyday chocolate-covered wonders was instantly appealing.

The outcome was nothing short of spectacular – truly, exceptionally good! We carefully roasted the homemade marshmallows over an open fire, letting them achieve that perfectly golden, slightly crispy exterior and a wonderfully gooey center. Placing these warm, toasted marshmallows onto the chocolate rice biscuits created an immediate symphony of textures and flavors. The heat from the marshmallow gently melted the chocolate layer on the cookie, creating an irresistible, molten embrace. The cookie remained beautifully crunchy, providing a delightful contrast to the soft, sticky marshmallow, which now boasted a satisfyingly caramelized crust. Pure bliss with every bite – absolutely yummy!

The Journey to Perfect Homemade Marshmallows

Embarking on the journey of making your own marshmallows might seem daunting at first, but it’s an incredibly rewarding process that yields a superior product to anything you can buy in a store. The fresh, vanilla-scented aroma filling your kitchen is just the beginning. The key to success lies in precision, especially when dealing with sugar syrup. This is where a reliable sugar thermometer becomes your best friend.

  • **Essential Tip:** The temperature in this recipe is very precise, making a sugar thermometer an absolute must-have tool for achieving the perfect marshmallow consistency.

Crafting these treats requires a bit of patience, but most of the time is hands-off. For the best results, plan ahead:

1 day before

  • **Preparation Note:** Make the marshmallows one day before your picnic or event. This allows them ample time to solidify properly, ensuring they are perfectly firm yet tender for roasting and assembly.

The satisfaction of seeing your own fluffy, white marshmallows come to life is immense. From the careful heating of the sugar syrup to the vigorous whipping that incorporates air and creates that signature cloud-like texture, every step is a testament to the magic of simple ingredients. And knowing exactly what goes into them makes them all the more enjoyable.

Why Chocolate Cookies Make the Best S’mores Alternative

While Graham crackers are iconic in the traditional S’mores experience, their limited availability in some parts of the world doesn’t mean you have to miss out on this delightful treat. Our chosen alternative – chocolate-layered cookies – not only fills the gap but often enhances the S’mores experience with a more robust chocolate flavor and a satisfyingly firm, yet crumbly, crunch. Imagine a classic digestive biscuit, or a similar plain biscuit, generously coated with a smooth layer of milk or dark chocolate. These cookies are sturdy enough to hold the warm, gooey marshmallow, and their chocolate coating melts beautifully, marrying perfectly with the toasted marshmallow.

This substitution is not just about convenience; it’s about elevating the flavor profile. The rich chocolate of the cookie melts into the warm marshmallow, creating an even more indulgent dessert. The textural contrast is also fantastic – the crisp cookie base, the molten chocolate, and the soft, slightly chewy marshmallow with its caramelized crust. It’s a symphony for the senses, turning a simple dessert into an unforgettable experience.

The Perfect Picnic & Campfire Dessert

S’mores are synonymous with outdoor gatherings, crackling campfires, and sunny picnics. These homemade S’mores marshmallow treats fit seamlessly into that tradition, bringing an extra touch of gourmet quality to your outdoor adventures. They are incredibly versatile – whether you’re gathered around a roaring campfire, enjoying a barbecue in your backyard, or even having an indoor “campfire” experience with a kitchen torch or broiler, these S’mores are easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.

The joy of sharing these warm, gooey, and crunchy delights is immeasurable. There’s something inherently nostalgic and comforting about the process of roasting marshmallows, and when they’re homemade, the experience is even more special. They make for fantastic conversation starters and memorable moments, proving that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the most profound.

More Delicious Campfire & BBQ Desserts You’ll Love:

  • Grilled Bananas with Whiskey and Marshmallows – Easy BBQ Dessert
  • Extravagant Grilled S’mores from the BBQ

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📖 Recipe Card: Homemade S’mores Marshmallow Treats

RECIPE CARD

S’mores Marshmallow treats with chocolate cookies


Andréa Janssen
Andréa

These delightful homemade marshmallow treats are perfectly transformed into a classic S’more, thoughtfully layered onto a crispy chocolate cookie. An absolutely perfect, irresistible dessert for any picnic, gathering, or cozy night.





5 of 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marshmallow stiffen 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 35 minutes

Course Dessert, Sweets and Sweet Baking
Cuisine American

Servings 12 persons
Calories 163 kcal
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Ingredients

Marshmallows

  • 80 grams sugar
  • 1 tablespoon corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoon water
  • grams gelatin
  • teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla-extract
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

S’mores

  • 12 marshmallows, from the homemade batch above
  • 24 cookies, with a pre-existing chocolate layer (or use plain cookies with separate chocolate pieces)

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Metric – US Customary

Instructions

Homemade Marshmallows

  • Prepare your pan: Take a square baking tin, approximately 4×4 inches (10×10 cm). Lightly brush the inside with butter, then line it with baking paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  • Bloom the gelatin: In a large mixing bowl (preferably for a stand mixer), add the specified amount of gelatin. Pour 2 tablespoons of cold water over it and let it stand undisturbed for at least 10 minutes to soften and absorb the liquid.
  • Prepare the sugar syrup: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and an additional 2 tablespoons of water. Stir these ingredients thoroughly until they are well mixed.
  • Heat the syrup: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Allow the mixture to come to a full boil, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.
  • Reach precise temperature: Insert a candy/sugar thermometer into the pan. Continue heating the sugar mixture without stirring until it precisely reaches 245 degrees Fahrenheit (118 degrees Celsius). This temperature is crucial for the marshmallow’s texture.
  • Remove from heat: Once the desired temperature is reached, immediately take the saucepan off the heat.
  • Start mixing: Turn your mixer (with the whisk attachment) on a low speed in the mixing bowl containing the softened gelatin.
  • Combine mixtures: Carefully and slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the gelatin mixture. Direct the stream along the wall of the bowl to prevent the hot syrup from scorching the gelatin, which can affect its setting properties.
  • Add salt: While the mixer continues to run on low speed, add the salt to the bowl. This helps balance the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
  • Whip to medium: Increase the mixer speed to medium and whip for 5 minutes. During this time, the marshmallow mixture should visibly double in volume and transform into a beautiful, opaque white color.
  • Whip to high: Then, turn the mixer to high speed and continue mixing for another 5 minutes. By this point, the volume of the marshmallow mixture should have nearly tripled, becoming thick, glossy, and very fluffy.
  • Flavor with vanilla: Add the vanilla extract to the bowl and mix for a final minute at high speed to ensure it’s evenly incorporated and fragrant.
  • Transfer to pan: Spoon the marshmallow mixture into your prepared pan. To make this step easier and prevent sticking, lightly grease any spatulas or tools you are using with a neutral oil or butter.
  • Smooth the surface: Gently flatten the top of the marshmallow mixture in the pan using your greased spatula or the back of a spoon to create an even surface.
  • Dust the top: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch. Lightly dust the top of the marshmallows with this mixture, creating just a thin, even layer. You won’t need to use all of the dusting mixture.
  • Set: Allow the marshmallows to stiffen and set for at least 6 hours at room temperature. For best results, let them set overnight.
  • Cut marshmallows: Lightly dust your work surface with some of the remaining cornstarch/confectioners’ sugar mixture. Invert the marshmallow block onto the dusted surface and gently peel off the baking paper. Grease a sharp knife and slice the marshmallow into small, evenly sized squares. Dust all sides of the cut marshmallows with the mixture to prevent sticking.

Assembling Your S’mores

  • Roast the marshmallow: Spear a homemade marshmallow square onto a roasting stick. Carefully hold it over a BBQ grill, a small campfire, or even use a kitchen torch or broiler (watch carefully!) until it’s beautifully golden brown, slightly caramelized on the outside, and wonderfully gooey in the center.
  • Assemble the s’more: Quickly take two chocolate-layered cookies. Place one cookie chocolate-side-up, then slide the hot, roasted marshmallow off the stick onto the chocolate. Place the second cookie on top, chocolate-side-down, sandwiching the marshmallow between the melted chocolate layers.
  • Press and serve: Gently press the cookies together to slightly flatten the marshmallow and help the chocolate melt further.
  • Enjoy immediately while warm and gooey!

Notes

  • The temperature control for the sugar syrup is paramount for successful homemade marshmallows. Always use a reliable sugar thermometer and ensure it is calibrated correctly.
  • Humidity can affect marshmallow setting. If you live in a very humid environment, it might take longer for your marshmallows to firm up, or they might remain slightly stickier. Dusting liberally with the cornstarch/confectioners’ sugar mixture helps.
  • For best results and easier handling, make the marshmallows a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
  • When roasting, keep the marshmallow just above the flames or hot coals, moving it constantly for even caramelization and to prevent burning.
  • Experiment with different types of chocolate-layered cookies – milk, dark, or even white chocolate varieties can offer unique flavor profiles to your s’mores!

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 137mgSugar: 16gVitamin A: 17IUIron: 1mg

Keyword dessert recipe, homemade marshmallows, s’mores, chocolate cookies, picnic treat, campfire dessert

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