Trend Alert: Gourmet S'mores
National S'mores Day is August 10, and there's nothing like this sweet summer treat of gooey roasted marshmallows sandwiched between a chocolate square and two graham crackers. It's said the recipe originated in the 1927 edition of the Girl Scout handbook.
The Hershey Company is well known for their simple yet traditional concoction. Ninety million pounds of marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey's milk chocolate bars are used to produce more than 746 million s'mores a year from their easy-peasy recipe, which you can create over a campfire, on a grill, or even in a microwave!
Wanting to branch out beyond homemade s'mores? These restaurants and hotels have gone above and beyond the typical s'mores recipe with unusual add-on ingredients to turn up this fun fireside scene.
Meet the S'mores Marshmologist
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Nev.
This alpine-esque ski lodge has its own Marshmologist (complete with doctor's coat and stethoscope), who serves handmade peach-, caramel-, and even tarragon-infused s'mores to guests lounging at the fire pit. It's free, and a cool change from plain marshmallows (though those are available, too).
DIY S'mores Extravaganza
Rosewood CordeValle, San Martin, Calif.
Guests gather after dinner at one of this tony resort's fire pits for a grand old time with the fully-stocked s'mores bar. Jars are filled with plenty of peanut butter cups, Kit Kats, Twix, sprinkles, and other chopped candies and cookies to enhance your experience. If you seek a sophisticated s'more, the pastry chef has a range of raspberry coulis, chocolate hazelnut, warm Valrhona chocolate sauce, and Maldon-salted caramel to top off your treat.
S'mores Happy Hour
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek & Spa, Colo.
A day of hitting the slopes or exploring Beaver Creek's mountainous terrain deserves a dessert. Visit the hotel's complimentary s'mores fireside happy hour from 4 to 5 p.m. during winter and 7 to 8 p.m. in the summer. Between your cracker crunch, select milk or dark chocolate, then choose one of the handmade vanilla, orange, Grand Marnier, strawberry, or toffee marshmallows.
The Ultimate S'mores Seminar
The Hershey Story Museum, Hershey, Pa.
Of course the king of confectionary delights has perfected its s'mores. The park's Café Zooka offers a kit and interactive indoor experience at its s'mores stations, complete with individual tabletop burners. Participants roast marshmallows and build their own masterpieces using a variety of Hershey's candies, like Mr. Goodbar and milk chocolate with almonds.
Viva the S'more Variety
Montage Deer Valley, Utah
This Park City multi-seasonal resort has a daily complimentary s'mores hour from 8 to 9 p.m. during the summer, and a wintertime fireside fest. Five flavors of marshmallows are rotated on the menu daily (caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, mocha, and peppermint), along with two choices of Hershey's chocolate. In addition, they offer gelatin-free marshmallows and pumpkin-flavored marshmallows during the fall and holidays.