The Best Classic S’more Recipe + 10 Delicious Variations

When I think of camping, I think of three things: nature, campfires, and S’MORES. What is a camping trip without marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers? While it is easy to go out to the store and grab all these supplies before you head out, they will just be your average s’more. I have the best way to step up the quality of your s’more recipe. What’s my secret?

Homemade marshmallows.

Trust me, once you’ve tried making your own marshmallows and roasting them over the fire, you won’t want to go back. You’ll be sure to impress your fellow campers on your next trip with this classic s’more recipe.

The Best Classic S’mores

10 Delicious S’more Recipe Variations

Once you’ve got the original down pat, it’s time to start experimenting! These are ten different ways you can mix up your s’more recipe for something a little different.

Flavored Marshmallow S’mores

While your first instinct may be to spice up the cookies, why not go for the marshmallows first? There are tons of options on how to make your marshmallows more exciting than vanilla. 

One of the easiest ways to change the flavor of your marshmallows is by adding an extract such as peppermint, almond, butterscotch, or rum. I would suggest still adding the vanilla flavor in addition to your flavor of choice. 

Another way you can enhance your marshmallow is by adding flavors to your sugar syrup. Some ideas include lemon zest, coconut, and maple syrup. Get creative!

Peanut Butter Cup S’mores

No s’mores list would be complete without adding a little bit of peanut butter loving. A peanut butter cup, while delicious on its own, is a great pairing with graham crackers and marshmallows. Simply swap out the dark chocolate with a peanut butter cup and you’ll be singing found a peanut around the campfire in no time.

Cinnamon Graham Cracker S’mores

You’ve made your own marshmallows, so why not make your own graham crackers? However, let’s mix it up a bit by changing the flavor to a delicious cinnamon. While you can sometimes purchase cinnamon graham crackers in-store, I will always favor making my own! This is a simple and healthy recipe from Amy’s Healthy Baking.

Peppermint S’mores

Celebrate Christmas in July with this s’more variation. All you need is a peppermint flavored chocolate to go with your marshmallow. I like to use an After Eight Mint Thin or a piece from a Lindt mint chocolate bar. If you really want to have some fresh breath after your s’more, you can even use a peppermint flavored marshmallow as mentioned above. 

Salted Caramel S’mores

If you don’t mind sweetening up your s’mores a little bit more, than adding salted caramel will be one of your best camping decisions yet. While you can buy your own salted caramel at the store, I prefer to make my own and avoid the added preservatives. Live Well Bake Often has an easy and tasty salted caramel recipe that is great to make at home beforehand. Spread on the caramel to your graham cracker before you make the s’more and you’ll have a sweet evening delight. 

Berry Delicious S’mores

Berries and dessert really were made for each other. There are plenty of ways you can incorporate berries into your s’mores recipe. You can add some fresh strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries straight to your s’more or you can make a simple berry compote as a topping.

To make the compote, heat up desired berries over medium heat. Once it is bubbling, add in sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice to desired taste. Let it cool completely and then store in your fridge or cooler for use whenever you’re ready for s’mores!

International S’mores

Now that we have experimented with the marshmallows, we can dive into the cookie. While there are so many cookie options that would work great instead of the traditional graham cracker, why not make a theme out of it. Showcase different cookies from around the world such as digestive cookies for England, stroopwafles for Holland, and Anzac biscuits for Australia.

Candied Bacon S’mores

Now you may be thinking BACON? But yes! Think about all those times your bacon has wandered over to the pancakes and gotten doused in some maple syrup. Isn’t it delicious?

While you can just take a few pieces of leftover bacon from breakfast and place it in your s’more, it will be ten times better if it is candied. What I like to do is make my candied bacon at home in the oven before I head out camping. 

First, line your baking sheets with tin foil. Lay your bacon down in strips and sprinkle brown sugar and pepper over top. Bake at 375° until it’s good and crispy.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

This kid’s favorite was made to be turned into a s’more. Like making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, spread your PB on one graham cracker and the jelly on the other and slap them on either side of your marshmallow and chocolate. Be generous! Part of eating s’mores is the ooey gooey mess.

Baileys S’mores

Who said s’mores are just for kids? This one is for all the adults out there. Before you roast your marshmallow, dip the s’more in some Baileys. After the marshmallow has achieved that perfect golden brown, dip it in the Baileys one last time before you create your s’more sandwich. And once you’re done, feel free to warm up the soul with that extra Baileys (wink wink). 

Hawaiian S’more

You’ve heard of the Hawaiian pizza, but have you heard of the Hawaiian s’more? The key to this s’more is adding pineapple as a topping and swapping your dark chocolate for white chocolate. Grill the pineapple first until it is warm and slightly golden brown and top it off with some toasted coconut. Put it all together and you’ll be saying Aloha around the campfire.

And there you have it, ten fun s’more recipes! Let me know which ones you try and any of your family’s favourite ways to mix up the classic while camping. Happy marshmallow roasting!

Looking for a different approach? Try these Rice Krispie S’more Treats!