Who says you need a campfire to enjoy the gooey, chocolatey, marshmallowy goodness of s’mores? With our S’mores Cookies recipe, you can bring the fun and flavor of this classic campfire treat right into your kitchen. It’s a perfect baking project for the whole family and a wonderful way to relive those sweet summer memories, any time of year.
At Mommy and Me Cookies, we love turning beloved flavors into new family traditions. This recipe is a fantastic addition to your Family Baking adventures and is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
The Sweet History of S’mores
Before we dive into our cookie recipe, let’s take a moment to appreciate the rich history of the s’more itself. The first published s’mores recipe appeared in the 1927 Girl Scouts guidebook “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts,” where it was called “Some More.” The name was fitting — these treats were so delicious that campers always wanted “some more!”
The original recipe called for toasting marshmallows over a campfire, then sandwiching them with chocolate between two graham crackers. The heat from the marshmallow would melt the chocolate, creating that perfect gooey combination we all know and love. For nearly a century, s’mores have been a staple of camping trips, backyard gatherings, and summer nights around the fire.
Graham crackers themselves have an interesting history. Created in 1829 by Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham, these whole wheat crackers were originally part of a health movement. Today, they’re best known as the foundation of our favorite campfire treat!
The Perfect Mashup: Cookies Meet Campfire Classics
Our S’mores Cookies recipe takes all the elements you love about traditional s’mores and transforms them into a cookie that’s easier to make, less messy to eat, and just as delicious. This recipe combines the soft, chewy texture of a classic chocolate chip cookie with all the essential s’mores components: pools of melted chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and crunchy graham cracker pieces.
What makes this recipe special is how it captures the essence of s’mores while being practical for indoor baking. You don’t need a campfire, long skewers, or even perfect weather. Just your oven, a few simple ingredients, and eager little helpers who are ready to create something magical.
The beauty of s’mores cookies lies in their versatility. They’re perfect for birthday parties, school events, rainy day activities, or simply when you’re craving that nostalgic campfire flavor. They also make wonderful gifts — pack them in a decorative tin or box, and you’ve got a homemade present that will bring smiles to anyone’s face.
Why Kids Love Making S’mores Cookies
This recipe is particularly wonderful for baking with children because it offers multiple opportunities for them to participate. Young bakers can help crush the graham crackers (a surprisingly satisfying task!), measure ingredients, mix the dough, and — the most exciting part — add the marshmallows to the cookies halfway through baking.
The process of watching the marshmallows puff up and toast in the oven is mesmerizing for kids. It’s a little bit of kitchen science that demonstrates how heat transforms ingredients. Plus, the aroma that fills your kitchen while these cookies bake is absolutely heavenly — a combination of toasted marshmallow, melted chocolate, and warm graham crackers that will have everyone gathering in the kitchen.
Let’s Bake Some S’mores Cookies!
This recipe is straightforward and offers plenty of opportunities for little hands to help. The technique of adding marshmallows partway through baking ensures they get perfectly toasted without burning.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers (about 8-10 full crackers)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Having your workspace ready before you begin makes the process smoother, especially when baking with children who are excited to get started!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, which helps create that perfect chewy texture. Kids can help by watching the mixture transform and learning about how ingredients change when mixed together.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract. The vanilla enhances all the other flavors in the cookie, making everything taste more delicious.
Step 4: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, crushed graham crackers, baking soda, and salt. This is a great job for kids — they can practice their whisking skills and learn about combining dry ingredients before adding them to wet ingredients.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough rather than tender. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate
Gently fold in the chocolate chips or chunks. Using chocolate chunks instead of chips creates bigger pools of melted chocolate, which is absolutely divine. Let your kids help with this step — they’ll love seeing all that chocolate go into the dough!
Step 7: Shape and Initial Bake
Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 minutes. Yes, just 8 minutes for now! Set a timer so you don’t forget this crucial step.
Step 8: Add the Marshmallows
Here’s where the magic happens! Remove the baking sheet from the oven (carefully — it’s hot!) and gently press 3-4 mini marshmallows onto the top of each partially baked cookie. Kids love this step, but make sure they understand the baking sheet is very hot and should only be handled by adults.
Step 9: Finish Baking
Return the cookies to the oven and bake for another 2-4 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the marshmallows are slightly toasted and puffed. Watch them carefully during this final baking time — marshmallows can go from perfectly toasted to burnt quickly!
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. They will be very gooey and soft right out of the oven, but they’ll firm up as they cool. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely — if you can wait that long! These cookies are delicious both warm and at room temperature.
Tips for Perfect S’mores Cookies Every Time
Don’t Over-Crush the Graham Crackers: You want some texture and crunch in your cookies, so aim for coarse crumbs rather than fine powder. Put the graham crackers in a sealed plastic bag and let kids gently crush them with a rolling pin — it’s a fun activity that also helps them burn off some energy!
Use Chocolate Chunks for Maximum Impact: While chocolate chips work perfectly fine, chopping a chocolate bar into chunks creates bigger pools of melted chocolate that look more impressive and taste incredible.
Try the Kitchen Torch Technique: For an extra-special touch, you can use a kitchen torch to toast the marshmallows after the cookies come out of the oven. This is definitely an adults-only job, but kids will be amazed watching the marshmallows get that perfect golden-brown color.
Storage Tips: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The marshmallows will soften over time, but the cookies remain delicious. You can also freeze the dough (without marshmallows) for up to 3 months, then add marshmallows during the final baking step.
Make It Your Own: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate (dark, milk, or white), add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for extra warmth, or try using honey graham crackers for a slightly different flavor profile.
Creating Year-Round Camping Memories
One of the best things about s’mores cookies is that they bring the joy of camping and outdoor adventures into your home, regardless of the season or weather. You can make these cookies on a snowy winter day and transport your family back to warm summer nights. You can bake them during spring rain showers when outdoor campfires aren’t possible. They’re a delicious way to keep the spirit of camping alive all year long.
This recipe is also a wonderful way to introduce children to the tradition of s’mores if they haven’t experienced campfire cooking yet. It’s a safer, more controlled environment to enjoy these flavors, and it might inspire future camping adventures where they can try making traditional s’mores over a real fire.
For more ideas on creating lasting memories through baking, check out our post on Holiday Cookie Traditions. And if you’re looking for a shortcut, try adding graham cracker crumbs and mini marshmallows to a Classic Chocolate Chip cookie mix for an even easier version!
Beyond the Basic Recipe: Fun Variations to Try
Peanut Butter S’mores Cookies: Add ½ cup of peanut butter to the dough for a nutty twist that pairs beautifully with chocolate and marshmallow.
Double Chocolate S’mores: Replace ½ cup of the flour with cocoa powder for chocolate cookies that taste like brownies meets s’mores.
S’mores Cookie Sandwiches: Make the cookies without marshmallows, let them cool, then sandwich them together with marshmallow fluff and a piece of chocolate bar.
Stuffed S’mores Cookies: Place a piece of chocolate and a marshmallow in the center of a ball of dough, seal it up, and bake. The inside becomes a gooey surprise!
No matter which version you try, these s’mores cookies are guaranteed to become a family favorite. They’re the perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, tradition and creativity. So gather your ingredients, call the kids into the kitchen, and get ready to make some delicious memories!
Happy Baking!