S’mores. It’s kind of an odd name and some may think the name isn’t an actual word but somehow, it still makes sense.  That is especially true when you take that first bite and have that chocolate and marshmallow sticking to your fingers and somehow you’re covered with graham cracker crumbs at the same time. Sounds messy, yes, and maybe you’re tempted to clean yourself off. But then you immediately think you want that next bite because you want some more..some more?.. s’mores! 

S’mores just so happen to be a favorite of mine. The gooeyness and toastiness of the marshmallow and the melted chocolate sandwiched between two crunchy, sweet graham crackers just hits that spot that is sometimes unmatched with other desserts. S’mores are generally thought of as a summer dessert, but I beg to differ – it’s a year around treat that is for the young to the old. In fact, I challenge anyone that thinks otherwise. But it’s not just the sweet aspect of the snack that I crave, but also the memories that are attached to it. A few years ago, there was a power outage in Deep Creek that seemed to have lasted for a thousand years – otherwise known as the entire day.  I remember playing 243,437 rounds of Uno with my siblings and realizing how much I cannot live without electricity. Have you ever tried showering in the dark? Doesn’t work too well. So at the end of the night, my family decided to light up our fire pit and gather sticks and we just sat there and roasted marshmallows. And you know what? It felt like someone gave you a warm hug and it made the day that much better. 

Pretty often, I have that craving for that messy treat. However, I know that it can be somewhat inconvenient to roast marshmallows and get that whole campfire experience. So, let’s just cut a few steps out, mix another favorite treat of mine, and just say we reinvented the wheel? This recipe does not contain many ingredients and doesn’t take much time to make. It is an awesome dessert/snack when you are craving that hug.       

                                     Ingredients:

• 6 Tablespoons salted butter (or unsalted with a pinch of salt)
•  1 (12-ounce) bag of marshmallows
•  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups Rice Krispies
•  2 cups Golden Grahams cereal
•  2 ½ cups mini marshmallows, divided (about ½ of a 10-ounce bag)
•  4 Hershey bars, broken up into pieces

                             Directions

• Line a 9×9 baking dish with a parchment paper and let it hang over the side or butter for easier removal. I typically do both as it makes it much easier to lift. Set aside.
• Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Make sure it doesn’t burn.
• Add bigger marshmallows to melted butter. Continue to stir and gently melt over medium heat until marshmallows are melted and smooth. 
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Add Rice Krispies, Golden Grahams, and 1 ½ cups of miniature marshmallows. Stir until cereal is evenly coated with melted marshmallow mixture. I usually add more cereal than called for. No specific amounts – just when it feels right. 4 cups of Rice Krispies is a good starting point. 
• Put half of the cereal mixture into the prepared pan, then sprinkle with half of the chopped Hershey’s bars and half of the remaining 1 cup of miniature marshmallows.
• Add remaining cereal mixture then press gently into the pan to compact slightly. Be careful not to compress the treats too much though or they will be dense and hard. Top with remaining Hershey’s bars and marshmallows.
• Completely optional, use a small torch or put it under the broiler for that campfire touch!
• Let treat sit to harden a bit. 
• Cut into small squares to serve.

• Adapted from: 

• https://houseofnasheats.com/smores-rice-krispies-treats/#wprm-recipe-container-60649

                                Notes:

• Storage: These S’mores Rice Krispie Treats are best enjoyed the day they are made. But if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to soften them up a bit before serving.

• Freezing: Wrap them tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place them on the counter for about 30 minutes or unwrap and place them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until slightly warm.

• Rice Krispies: Any type of rice cereal will work for this recipe, although you really want to make sure it is fresh and not stale. You could also use corn flakes or another kind of cereal. You could also replace the amount of rice krispies with all golden grahams. It certainly works, but the texture isn’t quite as nice and can kind of cut up your mouth a bit, but some people love them that way.

• Golden Grahams: If you do not have Golden Grahams, you can use broken or crushed graham crackers or even Teddy Grahams or another similar cereal, such as Fiber One Honey Squares or Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

• Chocolate: You can use any type of chocolate that you like. Chocolate chips, chunks, or even a candy bar would be delicious in this recipe! Try elevating these with your favorite Ghiradelli squares or Reese’s peanut butter cups for an even more indulgent dessert.