Did you know August 10 is National S’mores Day? These ooey-gooey treats have been a summer camp staple for more than 80 years, since the first printed recipe appeared in a 1927 Girl Scout handbook. These days, Americans buy 90 million poundsof marshmallows every year, and the Hershey Company, which introduced its classic milk chocolate bar in 1900, now makes more than 500 million of those bars each year — enough to make more than one billion s’mores! Suffice it to say that s’mores are a quintessential part of childhood that many of us have in common (I even roasted a ‘mallow at a friend’s wedding last year). And while camps are winding down for the season, there’s still plenty of summer left to gather your brood around the campfire (or microwave, or stove) and enjoy this sticky-finger-producing, smile-inducing sweet. Here’s what you’ll need to celebrate National S’mores Day:
Microwave-Friendly ‘Mallows
As ingenious as the s’more may be, with its simple but sweet-tooth-pleasing combo of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow, its architecture has always been a bit precarious due to the odd-man-out roundness of the ‘mallow. Enter Kraft’s Jet-Puffed StackerMallows ($1.69 for 8-ounce bag), which have a thin, rectangular shape and are sized just right to fit your graham cracker. While their shape may not be the best bet over the bonfire, these StackerMallows are great for making s’mores in the microwave. Find a crafty idea for bringing your “bonfire” inside, plus more creative ways to re-create summer camp at home, on our main site.
Scores of S’mores
If you’re planning a birthday party, backyard barbecue, or family get-together before the end of the summer, serving s’mores for dessert is a crowd-pleasing move. Instead of buying the ingredients individually, simplify your grocery list by picking up a Hershey’s S’mores Kit ($15.95; hersheysstore.com). The all-in-one kit includes 18 milk chocolate bars, a bag of ‘mallows, and four packs of graham crackers — enough to make three dozen of those sticky, sweet treats. Hershey’s is encouraging families nationwide to create lasting memories at Camp Bondfire on the company’s Facebook page, an interactive app where fans will discover new ways to “bond” around the campfire and create s’mores-inspired memories. Sign up to be a “camper” and you can add your photos to the Fireside Memory Book and be entered to win an outdoor fire pit.
Girl Scout Shout Out
Although the true origin of the s’more is unclear, the Girl Scouts get the credit for being the first to publish the recipe for “Some Mores” in the 1927 guidebook “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” The Girl Scouts, which celebrate their 100th anniversary this year, are also well known for their addictive cookies, which Nestle has ingeniously turned into candy bars. These almost-sinful Girl Scouts Candy Bars, available only for a limited time this summer, come in three flavors based on the most popular Girl Scouts cookies: Thin Mints, Caramel & Coconut, and Peanut Butter Creme. (available at major retailers; find one near you)
Marshmallow Pals
They’re not edible, but they sure are cute! These handcrafted MarshFellows ($10-$30; facebook.com/marshfellows) are made of non-toxic polymer clay and can be used as cake toppers, baby or bridal shower favors, or just collectibles. There are a variety of little fellows to choose from (like the Toasted MarshFellow, at right), and the artist also does custom orders. Not only are they adorable — they’re charitable too: If you purchase a rainbow MarshFellow during the month of August, half of the proceeds will go to the It Gets Better Project.
