S'mores.

Hanging out in the wilderness all weekend, sleeping on the ground, packing and unpacking...yup, I'm talking about camping. I am not a camper. Never was, never will be. I don't get it. Maybe it's because I live in the country and the wilderness is all around me. Maybe it is because I enjoy a good sleep. Maybe it is because I have all I can do to keep my house kept up. I'm just not a fan.

Now let's talk s'mores. They go good with camping and fires. There is just something about that hard graham cracker crumbling all over and making a mess. And if your chocolate doesn't melt enough it's too hard. The marshmallow never says in place. I'm not a s'mores eater. They are too messy for my liking. Sure, graham cracker is good. Chocolate in the right form is great. Marshmallows not bad either. The combination is wonderful...just not in a traditional s'mores form. That is why I have fallen in love with two other forms of s'mores...

S'mores cookies which can be found here. These little gems are delightful. So, so good! I suggest you only make them if you have friends to share them with. And if you don't have friends, share them with strangers - it won't take long for those strangers to become your friends!

S'mores Cookies
recipe from Baked Perfection

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I think they would be just as good if you reduced the AP flour with a little whole wheat...)
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 dash of cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups miniature chocolate chips (I used a mix of regular sized and miniature)
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
2 Hershey bars, chopped (I used almost a whole pack...I was trying to get three pieces on each cookie)

In a medium bowl combine the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, salt, and dash of cinnamon. In a second larger bowl beat together the butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Slowly beat in the flour mixture until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 8 minutes in 350 degree over, and remove from the oven. Push 3 to 4 marshmallows and a few pieces of hershey bar into each cookies. Return to the oven and bake an additional 3-4 minutes until fully cooked. Cool cookies on a wire rack.

Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies.

S'mores bars which can be found here. Again, amazing. Love, love, love them! I found this recipe over winter and have made them several times. They are rich, but oh so good.

S'Mores Bars
recipe from Lovin In the Oven

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 king-sized milk chocolate bars (e.g. Hershey’s)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.

Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together).

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

And so you see, for those of us who are not campers and not s'mores eaters. We have other options. Tastier options if you ask me. So, go, bake, and eat your s'mores as cookies or bars. Your taste buds will thank you.