S'more

A s'more is a traditional American campfire treat consisting of a roasted marshmallow and a slab of chocolate, sandwiched between two pieces of Graham cracker.

In the United States, people often associate s'mores with recreational camping, as is often done through the Girl or Boy Scouts. Part of the enjoyment of this simple dessert is the way in which it is made on such camping trips. A marshmallow is skewered on the end of a long stick and held just above the campfire until its outer surface starts to brown, char, or even catch fire — according to personal preference — at which point the insides are soft and carmelized, and the marshmallow is quickly pinched off its stick with the waiting Graham crackers. Ideally, the heat from the roasted marshmallow partially melts the chocolate into a gooey mess. Making s'mores in this manner is so popular that supermarkets will often carry Graham crackers, marshmallows, and gargantuan chocolate bars in the same shelf section during the summer months.

Different items sold as s'mores may be found in restaurants, prepared at home, or even bought ready-made. These confections usually contain the three ingedients of Graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow, but are not necessarily heated or served in the same shape as the traditional s'more.

Etymology

S'more appears to be a contraction of the phrase, "some more", as in "Please, give me some more of that delicious treat." The informal nature of this term reflects the environment in which s'mores are traditionally served. Some have jokingly surmised that the name originated from people who were so busy eating the tasty dessert that they did not have time to speak in complete sentences. It is surmised that a young girl named Megan Janicki coined this phrase, and this concoction, in 1927 while camping on the banks of the Ohio river on a chilly night.

External Links

• Epicurious.com's recipe for Some More
• Wikimedia Cookbook S'more recipe