Name: Smores Cookies: Delicious Marshmallow Chocolate Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup packed light brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 14 full graham crackers, finely crushed); 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows; Optional: Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

S’mores Cookies: The Ultimate Campfire Treat Reinvented! Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, gooey cookie that perfectly captures the essence of a crackling campfire. That’s exactly what you get with these incredible s’mores cookies! Forget the sticky fingers and melting marshmallows of traditional s’mores; we’ve taken all the best parts – the graham cracker, the chocolate, and of course, the marshmallow – and baked them into a convenient and utterly irresistible cookie form.

The history of s’mores is rooted in American Girl Scout culture, with the first known recipe appearing in a 1927 Girl Scout handbook. Since then, this simple yet satisfying treat has become a beloved symbol of summer nights and outdoor adventures. But let’s be honest, sometimes you crave that s’mores flavor without the hassle of building a fire. That’s where these s’mores cookies come in! They offer all the nostalgic goodness in a neat, portable package.

People adore s’mores for their delightful combination of textures and flavors. The crisp graham cracker, the rich chocolate, and the soft, toasted marshmallow create a symphony of deliciousness that’s hard to resist. And these cookies? They amplify that experience! The chewy cookie base, the chunks of melting chocolate, and the perfectly toasted marshmallow topping make these cookies an absolute crowd-pleaser. Get ready to experience the magic of s’mores in every single bite!

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 14 full graham crackers, finely crushed)
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
Optional: Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

Preparing the Dough:

First, let’s cream together the butter and sugars. In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Don’t rush this step; it’s crucial for a good cookie texture!
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
Now, for the dry ingredients. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is important for even baking and flavor.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Time for the graham cracker crumbs! Add the graham cracker crumbs to the dough and mix until evenly distributed. This is what gives our cookies that signature s’mores flavor.
Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. I like to use a spatula for this step to avoid breaking the marshmallows too much. Make sure everything is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is important because it allows the gluten in the flour to relax, which helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also helps the flavors meld together. You can chill the dough for longer, even overnight, if you prefer. If chilling overnight, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before scooping.

Baking the Cookies:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Parchment paper is my go-to because it prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. These cookies will spread a bit, so don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven. You want them to be golden brown, but not burnt.
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to firm up a bit and prevents them from breaking when you move them.
Optional: While the cookies are still warm, you can sprinkle them with a little coarse sea salt for a sweet and salty flavor combination.

Adding Extra Marshmallow Goodness (Optional):

If you want to take these s’mores cookies to the next level, you can add some extra marshmallows during the last minute of baking. Here’s how:

During the last minute of baking, remove the baking sheets from the oven.
Carefully place a few extra mini marshmallows on top of each cookie.
Return the baking sheets to the oven for about 1 minute, or until the marshmallows are puffed and slightly golden brown. Watch them closely, as marshmallows can burn quickly!
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The marshmallows will be sticky, so be careful when handling the cookies.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect S’mores Cookies:

Use softened butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before creaming it with the sugars. This will help create a light and fluffy dough.
Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is important for preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also helps the flavors meld together.
Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats: This will prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheets and make cleanup a breeze.
Don’t overcrowd the baking sheets: Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow them to spread without running into each other.
Keep a close eye on the baking time: Baking times can vary depending on your oven. You want the cookies to be golden brown, but not burnt.
Add extra marshmallows during the last minute of baking (optional): This will give your cookies an extra marshmallowy boost.
Sprinkle with coarse sea salt (optional): This will add a sweet and salty flavor combination.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature: This will keep them fresh for up to 3 days.

Variations:

Dark Chocolate S’mores Cookies: Use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.
Peanut Butter S’mores Cookies: Add ½ cup of peanut butter to the dough along with the butter and sugars. This will give the cookies a delicious peanut butter flavor.
Nutella S’mores Cookies: Swirl a spoonful of Nutella into the top of each cookie before baking. This will add a hazelnut chocolate flavor.
Pretzel S’mores Cookies: Add ½ cup of crushed pretzels to the dough along with the graham cracker crumbs. This will add a salty and crunchy element.
S’mores Cookie Bars: Press the dough into a 9×13 inch baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Top with extra marshmallows during the last few minutes of baking.

Troubleshooting:

Cookies are spreading too much: Make sure you’re using softened butter, not melted butter. Also, make sure you’re chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes. If the dough is still spreading too much, try adding a tablespoon or two of flour.
Cookies are too dry: Make sure you’re not overbaking the cookies. Also, make sure you’re using the correct amount of flour.
Cookies are too hard: Make sure you’re not overmixing the dough. Also, make sure you’re using softened butter.
Marshmallows are burning: Watch the marshmallows closely during the last minute of baking. They can burn quickly.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve these s’mores cookies warm with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.
Pack them in lunchboxes for a special treat.
Bring them to a potluck or party.
Enjoy them around a campfire for a true s’mores experience.
Give them as gifts to friends and family.

Detailed Explanation of Key Ingredients:

Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred in baking because it allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe. Softened butter is crucial for creaming with the sugars, creating air pockets that contribute to a light and fluffy texture.
Sugars: Granulated sugar provides sweetness and structure, while brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a hint of molasses flavor. The combination of both sugars creates a balanced flavor profile.
Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and add richness and moisture to the cookies. They also contribute to the cookies’ structure and texture.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the other flavors in the cookies and adds a warm, comforting aroma.
Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the cookies. It’s important not to overmix the dough after adding the flour, as this can develop the gluten and result in tough cookies.
Baking Soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and become light and airy.
Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: Graham cracker crumbs add a distinctive s’mores flavor to the cookies. Finely crushed crumbs are preferred for a smoother texture.

Conclusion:

So, there you have it! These S’mores Cookies are truly something special, and I genuinely believe they’re a must-try for any cookie lover, especially if you’re a fan of that classic campfire treat. The combination of the chewy cookie base, the gooey melted chocolate, and the perfectly toasted marshmallow is simply irresistible. It’s like a little piece of summer, no matter the time of year!

But why are these cookies so special? It’s more than just the sum of their parts. It’s the way the flavors and textures all come together in perfect harmony. The slight saltiness of the cookie dough balances the sweetness of the chocolate and marshmallow, while the soft, chewy interior contrasts beautifully with the slightly crisp edges. And let’s not forget that incredible aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake – pure bliss!

Beyond the basic recipe, there are so many ways you can customize these cookies to make them your own. Feeling adventurous? Try using different types of chocolate! Dark chocolate will add a richer, more intense flavor, while white chocolate will create a sweeter, creamier experience. You could even swirl in some peanut butter for an extra layer of deliciousness.

For serving suggestions, these cookies are fantastic on their own, warm from the oven with a glass of cold milk. But they’re also amazing crumbled over ice cream, or even used as the base for a mini s’mores dip. Imagine layering these cookies in a small dish, topping them with extra chocolate chips and marshmallows, and then broiling them until everything is melted and gooey. Talk about a decadent dessert!

Another fun variation is to experiment with different types of graham crackers. Honey graham crackers are a classic choice, but you could also try cinnamon graham crackers for a warmer, spicier flavor. Or, for a truly unique twist, use chocolate graham crackers to create a double-chocolate s’mores cookie. The possibilities are endless!

And don’t be afraid to get creative with the marshmallows! Mini marshmallows are perfect for scattering throughout the dough, but you could also use larger marshmallows for a more dramatic effect. Just be sure to keep a close eye on them as they bake, as they can burn easily.

I truly hope you’ll give this recipe a try. I’ve poured my heart and soul into perfecting it, and I’m confident that you’ll love it as much as I do. Baking these S’mores Cookies is a fun and rewarding experience, and the end result is a treat that everyone will enjoy.

So, grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create some magic in the kitchen. And when you do, please don’t forget to share your experience with me! I’d love to hear what you think of the recipe, what variations you tried, and any tips or tricks you discovered along the way. You can leave a comment below, or tag me on social media. I can’t wait to see your creations! Happy baking!