What’s better than a campfire in the summer? A campfire in winter! It’s cozy, warm and sticky gooey with a “s’more fest.”
Be aware, you might start a tradition: “Can I have s'(ome) more Please!”
I learned this year that s’more-making is serious business. Grandmothers teach their grandchildren how get a sugar high at the campfire. But, leave it to the Girl Scouts, though to set a world record for smores.
When access roads are in good shape, as they are this fall, drive in to one of the BLM or Forest Service campgrounds/picnic grounds in the North Dakota Badlands. Then, pick a fire ring and start a campfire. While it gets going, set up a s’mores production line on the nearby picnic table or even your tailgate.
Click here to visit the USDA Forest Service list of places to picnic with a campfire: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dpg/recreation/picnickinginfo/recarea/?recid=79469&actid=70
What is your recommended campground for a s’mores fest?
There are no rules for s’mores. Kids especially like to experiment. So, Now you get to be creative – and encourage your family to experiment. Check out the recipes below to find options and alternatives.
The traditional three ingredients: Graham Cracker, marshmallow and chocolate.
Before you head out, buy a selection of firewood at a c-store, truck stop, grocery store, hardware store or home improvement store. A good mix of wood includes easy igniting wood such as pine, and also heavier hardwood for good coals such as oak. Heft the bundles and you’ll find the lightwood and hardwood you need. We’ve found prices between $4.99 and $7.50.
If you have long-handled grill forks for your summer backyard cookout, use them.
Skewer the marshmallow, and reach the stick close to the flames.
The don’t need to be in the flame, just nearby to get that “crisp gooey state”. When it is hot and gooey, pinch it off the stick between the graham crackers and chocolate sandwich, The hot marshmallow will melt the chocolate.
You’ll need aluminum foil and no sticks with this variation. Just get a box of ice cream cones, put marshmallows and chocolate pieces in the cones. Then wrap them in the aluminum foil, set them on the fire pit grill, or off to the side of the coals where it is hot, but not on fire.
Actually, hot coals do a better job of roasting marshmallows on a stick rather than an open flame.
It only takes about a minute to melt the chocolate and marshmallows. Carefully unwrap the package – the foil will be hot, so be careful.
I’ve heard of other varying ingredients such as different chocolate candy bars, Oreo cookies, Nutella, caramel, cream cheese, jam, jelly or peanut butter. Experiment. Have you tried shaving fudge and adding the shavings to the graham cracker sandwich? I’ll bet it’s rich.
Use fudge striped cookies and use them instead of graham crackers.
We recognize people are looking for safe family activities this winter to stay healthy but entertained. That’s why we put together this suggestion of things to do that are healthy and happy.
We have a few ideas we’ll be posting all winter for you to try. Just subscribe to this email and you’ll be the first to know when new ideas are posted.
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File away this idea to be a smores superhero and pull it out on August 10. Our friends at National Day Calendar tell us August 10 is National S’mores Day.
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