Pair These Fun S'mores Facts With a New S'mores Recipe This Summer

We all know the recipe: Sandwich a toasted marshmallow and a hefty square of chocolate between two graham crackers. Eat and repeat. Craving one already? The next time you're sitting around a campfire, impress your companions with some little-known facts about s’mores, including why s'mores are called s'mores in the first place. However you make you're s'mores (we've got recipes below), you're following a very happy dessert tradition that started almost 100 years ago.

S'mores History

S'mores Became a Word in 1974

The Merriam-Webster dictionary, which defines s’mores as “a dessert usually consisting of toasted marshmallow and pieces of chocolate bar sandwiched between two graham crackers,” suggests the first known use of the word was in 1974.

Girl Scouts Invented S'mores in 1927

It appears the treat was a campfire staple long before the dictionary officially recognized it: The first known s'mores recipe was published in the Girl Scouts handbook Tramping and Trailing With the Girl Scouts in 1927. The snack was originally called “some mores.”

The Largest S'more Weighed Over 200 Pounds

Campers at Deer Run Camping Resort in Gardners, Pennsylvania, built what could just be the world’s largest s’more. Weighing in at 267 pounds, the supersized sweet included 140 pounds of marshmallows, 90 pounds of chocolate, and 90 pounds of graham crackers.

People Thought Graham Crackers Had Added "Benefits"

Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham invented the graham cracker in 1829 in Bound Brook, New Jersey. The original graham cracker was a health food recommended as part of a diet intended to help suppress sexual desire, which Graham believed to be unhealthy.

S'mores Culture

Americans Eat a Lot of S'mores

According to The S’mores Cookbook, Americans buy 90 million pounds of marshmallows annually. It’s estimated that, during the summer, approximately 50 percent of marshmallows sold are roasted for s’mores.

Also, according to a release from The Hershey Company, the company produces more than 373 million milk chocolate bars yearly, enough to make 746 million s’mores.

Need an excuse to indulge and buy some chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers? Wait until National S’mores Day, which falls on August 10th every year.

Restaurants and Food Companies Love S'mores

The popularity of the original s’more has inspired American food manufacturers to create other chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker treats, including Pop-Tarts, cereal, ice cream, and even Goldfish.

Restaurants are also trying to capitalize on the dessert’s popularity with some downright unique iterations, like s’mores-flavored French fries, martinis, macarons, and more.

S'mores Making Tips

You Don't Need a Campfire to Make S'mores

If you don’t have access to an open fire, there are still plenty of ways to make s’mores. You can cook the tasty treat on the grill, in the broiler, with a kitchen torch, in a microwave, in the air fryer, or over a gas stove, candle, or Sterno.

Marshmallows Cook Better On Metal

Perfect your technique: According to S'mores: Gourmet Treats for Every Occasion, marshmallows cook faster on a metal rod or coat hanger than on a wooden one. Also, coals tend to cook the snack faster and more consistently than flames.

S'mores Recipes

To satisfy your craving, try the following less conventional s'more recipes:

Raspberry S'mores

In this recipe, traditional s'mores get an upgrade with tart, fresh raspberries. It brings a welcomed adult twist to this childhood favorite. Raspberries not available? Go ahead and try strawberries or blackberries.

Get the recipe: Raspberry S'mores

Ice Cream S'mores

You'll forget everything you know about traditional s'mores after you take a bite of these cool treats. Marshmallow fluff and vanilla ice cream are sandwiched between two gold graham crackers and then dunked in chocolate for one irresistible dessert.

Get the recipe: Ice Cream S'mores

Mini S'mores Cookie Cups

A graham cracker cookie serves as the base for a gooey marshmallow topped with a Hershey's Kiss candy. Make a big batch. These bite-sized treats will go fast.

Get the recipe: Mini S'mores Cookie Cups