The S’mores Field Guide

Everything we know about making a great s’more: the fire, the toast, the squish, and the swaps. Then see how our mascots are built, and try recipes from the S’more Plans crowd.

How to make the perfect s’more

1. Let the fire burn down. Wait for glowing coals instead of tall flames. Flames scorch the outside before the middle gets gooey. Coals toast evenly.
2. Pick a long stick. Use a roasting stick or skewer about an arm’s length long, so your hands stay well back from the heat. Metal skewers get hot, so hold the handle.
3. Warm the chocolate first. Put a square of chocolate on half a graham cracker and set it on a warm rock or a sheet of foil near (not in) the fire. Soft chocolate is the secret.
4. Toast low and slow. Hold the marshmallow a few inches above the coals and turn it slowly, like a rotisserie. In a minute or two it turns golden and puffs up.
5. The squish. Sandwich the hot marshmallow onto the chocolate with the other cracker half, press gently, and slide the stick out.
6. Wait ten seconds. Give it a moment so the chocolate finishes melting and the marshmallow cools a little. Then enjoy, and make s’more.

Find your toast

• Lightly toasted. Warm and soft, barely golden. Patient toasters only.
• Golden brown. The classic. Crisp outside, molten inside.
• Campfire charred. Caught fire on purpose? Blow it out gently. Never wave it around.

Pro tips & tasty swaps

• Peanut butter cup. Swap the chocolate square for a peanut butter cup. Our Backcountry guy is made this way.
• Double stack. Toast two marshmallows side by side on one stick for an extra-gooey s’more.
• Salted caramel. Dark chocolate plus a caramel square and a pinch of flaky salt.
• Cookie swap. Trade the graham crackers for chocolate chip or shortbread cookies.
• Strawberry. Add a thin slice of strawberry on top of the chocolate.
• Set up a station. Put crackers, chocolate and marshmallows on a tray so everyone can build their own.

No campfire? No problem.

• Oven broiler. Lay crackers topped with chocolate and marshmallows on a baking sheet. Broil for about 30 to 60 seconds, watching the whole time, since they go from golden to burnt fast. Top with the other cracker.
• Microwave. Put a marshmallow on a cracker with chocolate and microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds, until it puffs. Top with the other cracker and press.
• Air fryer. Assemble open-faced and air fry for a few minutes, checking often, until the marshmallow is golden. Times vary by model, so start short.

Campfire safety

• Keep kids close and within reach of an adult around the fire.
• Use long sticks, and never shake or wave a flaming marshmallow. Blow it out gently.
• Hot marshmallow sticks to skin. Let it cool a moment before biting.
• Marshmallows can be a choking risk for little kids, so cut them small or skip them for toddlers.
• Check local fire rules first, and use an established fire ring.
• Keep water and a shovel nearby. Before you leave: drown it, stir it, and feel for heat.

How our mascots are built

Both S’more Plans mascots start the same way: a real s’more, stacked one layer at a time, then given a face. Here’s what each one is made of.

• Classic. The original: warm, sweet and cozy.
• Backcountry. Rugged, trail-ready, and made with a peanut butter cup.

Recipes from the crowd

S’more Plans members share their favorite builds. Love the ones you’d make again.

Make a plan with S’more Plans: free, and your guests reply without an account.