Living in the South has taught me one thing: bonfires are a year-round activity. While most places (ahem, the North) are starting to bundle up in scarves and sweaters, us Southerners are still wearing short-sleeve shirts and tank tops. And with that, we are able to spend the evening outdoors without the threat of frostbite. So what better way to celebrate fall than to have a giant bonfire complete with an assortment of autumn-themed s'mores?
Set up a DIY S'mores bar around the firepit for all these ooey-gooey and crispy treats! Cook all of these (not so traditional) yummy s'more recipes on your campfire and make sure to pack some paper towels for those messy marshmallow fingers.
1. Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel S'mores
Not only are these campfire s'mores filled with Ghirardelli sea salt and caramel chocolate bars, the base is actually a brown butter snickerdoodle, making this Autumn inspired s'more sophisticated and fun to make.
Make the snickerdoodles a day in advance by making a batch of brown butter and baking the cookies. Get the recipe here.
2. Caramel Apple S'mores
Yes, s'mores can be healthy! This Caramel Apple treat starts out with thin slices of Granny Smith apples (instead of graham cracker squares) which adds a nice contract of tartness.
Next, caramel syrup is spread on the slices and topped with a warm and toasted marshmallow (which you roasted on the bonfire). Is it unconventional compared to traditional chocolate S'mores? Heck yea. Find the recipe here.
3. Cinnamon Baked S'mores
It's raining outside (for the third time this week) and you were so pumped for your bonfire s'mores. Have no fear, this recipe bakes your cinnamon-spiced dessert right in your oven to make indoor s'mores.
Use a bit of aluminum foil on your cookie sheet when making these for extra-easy clean-up. Get the recipe here.
4. Fall S'mores
We all love cookie butter and peanut butter, but have you heard of pumpkin butter before? Game changer. This bonfire treat is slathered with pumpkin butter and hazelnut butter then topped with large marshmallows. It's easy to assemble, making it an amazing treat for a camping trip. Get the details here.
5. Cranberry S'mores
While this Cranberry S'mores recipe takes a bit of time to make, they are totally worth it in the end. Start off by making the cranberry marshmallows which include fresh cranberries, gelatin and corn syrup. While the marshmallows are chilling prepare the shortbread cookies and homemade cranberry sauce. Follow the recipe here.
6. Gingersnap S'mores
Gingersnaps are one of my favorite dessert recipes, so I was more than excited to try these delicious s'mores. Spiced gingersnap cookies replace the classic graham cracker in these chewy Gingersnap S'mores. Molasses, ginger, cinnamon and cloves give these cookies their spice kick which marries perfectly with milk chocolate bars and toasted marshmallows. Find the recipe here.
7. S'mores With Granola "Graham" Crackers and Cardamom Pears
Looking for fun and quirky s'mores ideas? Try this recipe courtesy of Feast Magazine. What makes this recipe so unique is that the pears are actually cooked in aluminum foil packers over the bonfire! Core and peel the pears and mix them with cardamom, maple syrup, and a touch of salt. The pears are roasted until soft then sandwiched between homemade granola crackers and dark chocolate chips. Get the recipe here.
8. Cookout Caramel S'mores
These cookout s'mores are dripping with caramel and chocolate. With only four ingredients, this is one of the easiest s'mores to make. Heck, even the little ones can do it making it a perfect childhood treat. Make sure to pack some wet towels, these tend to get messy, messy. Get the details here.
9. Chai Tea S'mores
We used to think nothing was better in the Fall than a nice steaming cup of chai tea. That is until we found these Chai Tea S'mores. Loose-leaf masala tea is mixed with flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, butter and honey then shaped into crackers to make this recipe one of our favorites.
10. Maple Bacon S'mores
S'mores aren't just for kids anymore and these treats prove it to boot. Start out by making up a batch of candied bacon and whip up a batch of marshmallows. Finish off the s'mores with a piece of milk chocolate bars and golden brown graham crackers. Get the recipe here.
11. Pumpkin Spice S'mores
We find pumpkin spice to be so nice. Make these s'mores in minutes by toasting marshmallows and sprinkling them with pumpkin pie spice. Sandwich the hot marshmallow in between white chocolate squares and pumpkin butter. You'll be licking your fingers for more. Find the recipe here.
12. Gingerbread Butterscotch S'mores Sandwich Cookies
I tell you, these cookies are addicting! Soft and chewy gingerbread butterscotch cookies act as the graham crackers squares in this autumn s'more. You can even roll the cookies into gingerbread men/woman shapes! Make the cookies up to two days in advance for the best flavor and texture. Get the recipe here.
13. Cinnamon-Pecan Cookie S'mores
Cinnamon and pecans are the stars of the show in these cookie s'mores. To get that extra nuttiness from the pecans, toast them in the oven until lightly browned then add them into the cookie dough.
Top it off with a square of bittersweet chocolate and a toasted marshmallow. Follow the recipe here.
