While too many trips to the fridge always takes its toll on my (uh-hem) assets, I have come up with some fun "snack attack" solutions over the years to accommodate my natural inclination to nosh, which brings me to today's recipe...
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Cleo Coyle writes two bestselling mystery series with her husband. To learn more, click here. |
☕ A Recipe Note from Cleo
My "coffeehouse" s'mores are warm, gooey, chocolaty, and satiating, especially with a fresh pot of coffee. These little treats are also fairly low in calories compared to richer desserts, yet they pack plenty of nostalgic satisfaction. The first idea (below) is especially fun to make with little children....
So scroll down to see how I turn this campfire classic into a fun little coffee break nosh without the campfire! And finally, I must say...Cheers to the wonderful Girl Scouts who are credited with publishing the very first s'mores recipe in their handbook (circa 1927) Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.
With love from a former Girl Scout,
~ Cleo
MICRO ESPRESSO S’MORES
Here is my first fun way to enjoy s'mores as an indoor coffee break snack. These micro-size cookies pair nicely with a cup of Joe or an espresso. And since the word "espresso" means expressed, it’s the perfect way to describe these treats, which are made in just seconds with a microwave. They're also great for small children to make. Not only are they fun to assemble, but their tiny size is just right for little hands and mouths.
Cleo's Micro
Espresso S'mores
Makes 4 Micro S’mores
Total calories: about 140 (35 calories each)
Ingredients:
1 sheet of graham crackers (I love cinnamon grahams for this)
4 mini marshmallows
1 mini Hershey chocolate bar (or chocolate of your choice)
Directions: Split 1 graham cracker sheet (65 calories) along its perforation lines to make 4 rectangular pieces. Using a sharp knife on a flat surface, slice each rectangle into a square. You now have 8 micro squares of graham crackers. Place 4 tiny cracker squares on a microwave safe plate.
Break up the mini Hershey bar (about 70 calories) into four even pieces and place a small piece of chocolate on each of the 4 small cracker squares. Microwave only about 5 seconds—just enough to slightly soften up the chocolate.
Remove the plate and top each of the melted marshmallows with your reserved micro graham cracker square top.
Each little s'more brings a surprisingly big mouthful of flavor and you have four of these gooey, warm, delicious, "espresso" s’mores on your plate to enjoy!
One last note...
☕
COFFEE S’MORES
No Campfire Needed!
Cleo Coyle's
Coffee S'mores
Coffee S'mores
Total calories: about 148 (74 calories each)
Ingredients:
1 sheet of graham crackers (cinnamon grahams are my go-to)
2 teaspoons Marshmallow Fluff (or see my recipe below to make your own)
1 mini Hershey chocolate bar (or chocolate of your choice)
Directions: Split 1 graham cracker sheet (65 calories) along its perforation lines to make 4 rectangular pieces. Spread 1 teaspoon of Marshmallow Fluff on each of the 2 pieces (about 13 calories total). Break the mini Hershey bar (about 70 calories) in half. Place each half on top of the Fluff-spread graham cracker rectangle. Cover with the remaining pieces to make two rectangular s’more sandwiches.
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MAKE YOUR OWN FLUFF!
Because Marshmallow Fluff is not always easy to find outside the United States, I’m happy to suggest the following tip on making your own spreadable Marshmallow Fluff.
This super-fast microwave method also makes a fantastic marshmallow frosting for cupcakes, or try sandwiching it between peanut butter cookies—delicious!
Make Your Own Fluff
Directions: For every 1 tablespoon of Fluff, place 1/4 cup of mini marshmallows into a microwave-safe bowl. Toss them with 1/4 teaspoon dairy milk (or almond or soy milk).
Microwave very briefly (about 10 seconds) until the marshmallows are nearly (but not completely) melted. Remove from microwave and stir until the marshmallows finish melting. Place the bowl in the fridge and after the mixture chills a bit, you will have very close to the equivalent of premade, commercially sold Fluff.
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Finally, be sure to...
Eat with S'more Joy!