Gourmet tips for the best s’mores

​Lift your campfire game by making these gooey, melted marshmallow constructions using gourmet tips to make the best s’mores. Who says kids have all the fun? Be a marshmologist and use the marshmallow recipe with quality chocolate for an adult-sized gourmet s’more.

Aussies are taking to the bush while international borders are closed, and it’s time to elevate your marshmallow by the campfire game! So, I have brought in some expert marshmologists to help you to mix up your campfire traditions. You will be the envy of all your camping mates!

Don’t hold back if you are not camping, s’mores are perfect around the popular firepit too!

Here are some tips on creating amazing s’mores including a marshmallow recipe so you can make your own.  That’s the secret ingredient you need to bust the s’more flavour profile barrier. 

Gourmet s’mores from The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe.

What is a marshmologist?

Have you ever heard of a Marshmologist? Don’t worry I hadn’t either until I stumbled across one of the most unique jobs in North Lake Tahoe in California, the resident Marshmologist at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe.

They make marshmallows in house and each day a new flavour is featured. For example, on Monday the marshmallow recipe might be a mint flavoured marshmallow was created by their culinary team, using mint grown on the property.

Oh, so kindly, one of the North Lakes Tahoe Marshmologists has agreed to share their marshmallow tips to create a gourmet s’more for your next camping adventure!

Create something that you love and make it your signature s’more. How about rose water marshmallow with rocky road chocolate?  Or orange marshmallow s’mores with dark chocolate? Both would be easy with the addition of a little rose or orange water to the marshmallow mix. Doesn’t that sound good?

Carefully roast marshmallows over grill or campfire and construct your personal treat with a s’more recipe.

How to make the best s’more!

What’s a s’more, you ask? Well, you are about to be delighted by this delicious American campfire treat that is the perfect addition to your next camping menu or for some firepit fun.

It makes for a very easy dessert and keeps children occupied for hours.  You may have to cope with sugar overload, but it’s a small price to pay for the fun of making the best s’mores.

What you will need

Biscuits (usually Americans use graham crackers, but you can mix it up and pick your favourite plain round Aussie biscuit to use instead), chocolate and a big marshmallow. The bigger the marshmallow the better!

Tip: For an Aussie style s’more I recommend using a McVitie Digestive as it seems to be the closest to a graham cracker or use an Arnotts Marie biscuit.  Arnotts Chocolate Wheaten biscuits are another alternative and they make it easy for children because they already have a chocolate layer.

The s’more recipe

1 Place chocolate bar on your choice on a cracker or biscuit

2 Carefully roast marshmallows over grill or campfire.  It is good to put them on the end of a skewer so you can stand back from the fire.  Remember to turn them frequently and keep them in the cooler part of the fire so they don’t burn.

3 Place the toasted marshmallow on the chocolate bar and gently press the second cracker over top.

4 Devour immediately and enjoy your gooey, sweet, classic treat!

Step 5 Repeat. Because we know one will leaving you wanting (s)more! Yep, that’s how they got their name.

The resident Marshmologist at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe has shared his s’more recipe.

Tips from a Marshmologist

• Be creative with your choice of chocolate to create exciting variations and the best s’more
• Try different flavoured marshmallows to mix it up and create a gourmet s’more
• Don’t hold your marshmallow too close to the fire or it will burn
• Play around with how long you roast your marshmallow to see if you prefer it more or less gooey
• When international travel opens make sure to book a North Lake Tahoe Adventure and discover the treasures of Tahoe
• Make your own flavours using a marshmallow recipe (see below)

Be a marshmologist and use the marshmallow recipe to make your own. Photo Leon Conteras, Unsplash

Homemade Marshmallow Recipe

This recipe comes from the marshmologists at North Lake Tahoe – The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe.

You will need a candy thermometer for the best results.

Timing – 30 minutes to make with 8 hours setting time.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold water, divided into two halves
• 3 (1/4-ounce) envelopes of unflavored gelatin
• 2 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup light corn syrup
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup powdered sugar

Method

1. Line a 22 x 22 cm (9 x 9 inch) pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle some powdered sugar on the bottom and sides in an even layer and set the pan aside.
2. Pour a ½ cup of cold water into the bowl of heavy-duty mixer that’s fitted with a whisk attachment. Sprinkle gelatin over water. Let stand until the gelatin softens and absorbs the water, at least 15 minutes.
3. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt and remaining cold water in a saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves. Attach a candy thermometer to side of the pan. Increase the heat and bring the syrup to a boil without stirring until it reaches 240°F, about 8 minutes.
4. With the mixer running at low speed, slowly pour the hot syrup into the gelatin mixture. Gradually increase the speed to high and whip until the mixture is very stiff and shiny, about 10 minutes. Add vanilla and blend about 30 seconds longer. Pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a wet spatula. Let stand uncovered at room temperature until firm, about 4 to 8 hours.
5. Stir the corn starch and powdered sugar in a small bowl to blend. Cover your workstation with parchment paper to protect it, and liberally sprinkle the surface with the powdered sugar/starch mixture, forming a square slightly larger than your pan. Sprinkle the top of the marshmallow mixture with the sugar/starch coating and flip it face down onto the prepared surface.
6. Carefully peel back the parchment paper from the marshmallow and sprinkle the top with the coating powder. Spray a large, smooth-bladed knife with non-stick cooking spray and coat both sides with the coating powder. Coat a large, sharp knife with non-stick spray and cut into squares. Toss each square in the remaining starch-sugar mixture to coat so that all sides are smooth and not sticky. Store marshmallows in an airtight container in a temperate, dry location.

Lake Tahoe is a crown jewel of California’s Sierra.

A North Lake Tahoe adventure

Lake Tahoe is a crown jewel of California’s Sierra. Formed approximately two million years ago, it is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest in the United States.

North Lake Tahoe spans two states and boasts two dozen beaches, 12 ski resorts, hundreds of miles of biking trails and half a dozen communities.  The lake also hosts a growing number of nationally recognized human-powered events, races and festivals.

North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport.

For more on North Lake Tahoe visit gotahoenorth.com.

More great recipes for your next camping trip

Every camping trip needs some top bites for elevenses like these chocolate caramel brownies.  Another all time favourite that is easy to whip up and cook in a camp oven is the perfect scone.