What’s the perfect treat to satisfy your summer sweet tooth? These smores cookies are a game changer, made with gooey chocolate and toasted marshmallows in a quick and easy homemade recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite – try using a skillet to get the perfect golden brown edges. Save this idea for your next weeknight dessert.

S’Mores Cookies

Introduction

Imagine a cookie that combines the classic campfire treat of s’mores with the convenience of a chewy, gooey, and utterly delicious cookie. S’Mores Cookies are a creative twist on traditional cookies, blending the richness of chocolate, the sweetness of marshmallows, and the crunch of graham crackers into one perfect treat. What makes these cookies truly special is their ease of preparation, using everyday ingredients that are likely already stocked in your pantry. With a minimal amount of effort, you can create an impressive dessert that’s perfect for backyard barbecues, family gatherings, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth.

Why This Works

• Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers provides a well-balanced flavor profile that is both familiar and exciting. Additionally, these ingredients are commonly found in most grocery stores, making it easy to whip up a batch at a moment’s notice.
• Ease of preparation: The simplicity of the recipe means that even the most novice bakers can achieve impressive results. With just a few steps and minimal cooking time, you can have a batch of S’Mores Cookies ready in no time.
• Impressive results with minimal effort: Despite the ease of preparation, these cookies are sure to impress friends and family with their unique flavor combination and gooey texture. They’re perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or as a special treat for your loved ones.

Key Ingredients

The main ingredients in S’Mores Cookies include all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, unsalted butter, white granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, semi-sweet chocolate chips, marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers. For practical substitutions, you can use salted butter and omit the additional salt, or substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate or a combination of the two. Marshmallows can be swapped with marshmallow creme in a pinch, although this will affect the texture slightly. Graham crackers can be crushed in a food processor or placed in a plastic bag and crushed with a rolling pin for a more rustic texture.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent the cookies from sticking. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Stir in the chocolate chips, marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers.
3. Step 3: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set.
4. Step 4: Remove! the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, press a few extra chocolate chips or marshmallows into the top of each cookie while they’re still warm for an extra-gooey treat.

Handy Tips

• To ensure your cookies retain their shape and don’t spread too much, make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will also help the flavors to meld together and intensify.
• Avoid overbaking, as this can cause the cookies to dry out and lose their chewy texture. Keep an eye on them during the baking time and remove them from the oven when they’re lightly golden brown and still slightly soft to the touch.
• For an extra-crunchy cookie, try baking them for an additional 2-3 minutes. However, be cautious not to overdo it, as this can quickly lead to overcooking.

Heat Control

When baking S’Mores Cookies, it’s essential to maintain the right temperature to achieve the perfect texture. The ideal temperature is 375°F (190°C), and the cookies should be baked for 12-14 minutes. To check for doneness, look for lightly golden brown edges and centers that are set but still slightly soft to the touch. Avoid opening the oven door too frequently, as this can cause the cookies to sink or not bake evenly.

Crunch Factor

The crunch factor in S’Mores Cookies comes from the crushed graham crackers, which provide a delightful textural contrast to the chewy marshmallows and gooey chocolate. To enhance the crunch, try baking the cookies for an additional 2-3 minutes or using a higher ratio of graham crackers to dough. However, be careful not to overdo it, as this can make the cookies too crunchy and dry.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

• To achieve perfectly rounded cookies, try using a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough. This will also help to ensure that the cookies are evenly sized and bake consistently.
• For an extra-decadent treat, try sandwiching a piece of chocolate or a marshmallow between two cookies. This will create a cookie sandwich that’s sure to impress.
• To make cleanup easier, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make it easy to remove them from the baking sheet once they’re cool.

Storage Tips

• To store S’Mores Cookies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature or in the microwave when you’re ready to serve.
• For the best results, store the cookies in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together. If you need to stack them, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to prevent sticking.
• When reheating frozen cookies, try microwaving them for 10-15 seconds or until they’re warm and gooey. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for a few minutes, or until they’re warm and fragrant.

Gift Packaging Ideas

S’Mores Cookies are a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends and family. To package them, try placing a few cookies in a cellophane bag or a decorative tin. You can also wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a gift basket or box. For a more rustic look, try placing the cookies in a mason jar or a paper bag and tying the top with twine or a ribbon. Whatever packaging you choose, be sure to include a personalized note or card to make the gift even more special.

Flavor Variations

• Different spices: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cayenne pepper to the dough for a unique twist on the classic flavor.
• Creative toppings: Consider adding some creative toppings to your cookies, such as chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut.
• Ingredient swaps: For a gluten-free version, try swapping the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You can also use dairy-free chocolate chips or marshmallows for a vegan version.

Troubleshooting

• Texture problems: If your cookies are too dry or crumbly, try adding a little more butter or sugar to the dough. If they’re too wet or sticky, try adding a little more flour.
• Ingredient replacements: If you’re missing an ingredient, try substituting it with something similar. For example, you can use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate, or marshmallow creme instead of whole marshmallows.
• Over/undercooking signs: To avoid overcooking, keep an eye on the cookies during the baking time and remove them from the oven when they’re lightly golden brown and still slightly soft to the touch. If you notice they’re undercooked, try baking them for an additional 2-3 minutes.

FAQs

• Can I freeze it? Yes, you can freeze S’Mores Cookies for up to 2 months. Simply place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and thaw at room temperature or in the microwave when you’re ready to serve.
• Is it gluten-free? No, the traditional recipe for S’Mores Cookies includes all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can easily make a gluten-free version by swapping the flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can easily double the recipe for S’Mores Cookies. Simply multiply all the ingredients by two and follow the same instructions. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the baking time slightly, so keep an eye on the cookies to ensure they don’t overcook.

Conclusion

S’Mores Cookies are a delicious and creative twist on traditional cookies, combining the classic campfire treat with the convenience of a chewy, gooey, and utterly delicious cookie. With their ease of preparation, impressive results, and minimal effort required, they’re perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these cookies are sure to impress. So go ahead, get creative, and share your S’Mores Cookies with friends and family. And don’t forget to experiment with different flavor variations and toppings to make the recipe your own!