A Writer’s Snack: Coffee S’mores and Micro Espresso S’mores from author Cleo Coyle

I think most writers would agree that working at home has its pros and cons. Casual Friday every day (huzzah!). Make your own schedule (woo-hoo!). A kitchen and fridge only steps away (uh-oh…).

Sad but true: the yawning cavern of my kitchen’s fridge is a tempting cave to frequent when I’m writing. It’s also my nature to nosh—and I do believe in embracing one’s nature. :)

On the other hand, too many trips to that fridge will take a toll on my (uh-hem) assets. Consequently, I have come up with Snack Attack solutions: apple slices, pineapple chunks, baby carrots with low-calorie dip, and…

I sometimes put together more creative snacks that are reasonable in calorie count yet big on satisfaction. In the past I have shared some of my simple but delicious "writer’s snacks," among them...

5-Minute Honey-Cinnamon
Peach Sopapillas (for the recipe click here.)

Apple Sauce Fruit Roll-Ups
(for the recipe, click here.)

Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter
Banana Bites (for the recipe click here.)

and No-Crust Mini Pizzas
(for the recipe, click here.)

Now with cookout season almost here, I have been craving s'mores. While they may not be the most healthful of snacks in my kitchen, they are oh-so-good for my nostalgic Girl Scout soul.

And so, with the calorie count 

firmly in check, I give you...

Two ways I've added s'mores to 

my working menu of "writer’s snacks."

COFFEE S’MORES

Cleo Coyle has a partner in 

crime-writing—her husband.

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Although most sources agree that s’mores were enjoyed around campfires long before the recipe was written down, the first official publication of the recipe dates back to 1927 when it was printed in the Girl Scout handbook: Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. The name s’mores, of course, is a contraction of the reaction—everyone who tastes one asks for "some more."

I certainly feel that way about the warm, gooey, chocolaty treat. AND about coffee! Here’s the way I married the two, making this campfire classic a fun little coffee break nosh for me without the campfire.

Cleo Coyle's
Coffee S'mores

Makes 2 coffee-break cookies
Total calories: about 148 (74 calories each)

Ingredients:

1 sheet of graham crackers (try cinnamon grahams, they’re my favorite; the spice adds a fantastic flavor note for this combo)
2 teaspoons Marshmallow Fluff (or see my tip on making 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. 

Pour a hot cup of coffee. Dip one end of the long, rectangular s’more sandwich into the cup, allowing the heat of the coffee to melt the chocolate. Take a bite and enjoy your Coffee S’more! (Yes, I also re-dip the remainder and lick my fingers clean. It’s delicious!)

MAKE YOUR 

OWN FLUFF

Because Marshmallow Fluff is not 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!

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 close to the equivalent of commercial Fluff.

MICRO ESPRESSO S’MORES

These micro-size cookies are perfect for an espresso break. And since the word "espresso" means expressed, it’s also the perfect way to describe these treats, which are made in just seconds with a microwave. They're great for small children, too. Not only are they fun to assemble, but their tiny size is just right for little hands and mouths. 

Cleo Coyle's

Micro Espresso S'mores

Makes 4 Micro S’mores
Total calories: about 140 (35 calories each)

Ingredients:

1 sheet of graham crackers (again, 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. 

Take out the plate. Place 1 mini marshmallow (1.25 calories each) on top of each piece of chocolate. Microwave only about 5 to 7 seconds, until you see the marshmallow blow up to twice its size. 

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...

And be sure to...

Eat with s'more joy!

~ Cleo Coyle

New York Times bestselling author of

The Coffeehouse Mysteries 

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Learn about my books here. 

The Coffeehouse Mysteries are bestselling

works of amateur sleuth fiction set in a landmark

Greenwich Village coffeehouse, and each of the

14 titles includes the added bonus of recipes. 

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Once Upon a Grind:
A Coffeehouse Mystery

* A Best Book of the Year
Reviewer's Pick - King's River Life

* Top Pick! ~ RT Book Reviews

* Fresh Pick ~ Fresh Fiction

* A Mystery Guild Selection

Delicious recipes are also featured in my 14th 

culinary mystery, Once Upon a Grind, including...

* Black Forest Brownies 

* Cappuccino Blondies 

* Shrimp Kiev 
* Dr Pepper Glazed Chicken

* Silver Dollar Chocolate Chip Cookies
* "Fryer Tuck's" Ale-Battered Onion Rings

* Poor Man's Caviar 
* Caramel-Dipped Meltaways

...and many more recipes, including
a guide to reading coffee grinds...

See the book's

Recipe Guide (free PDF)

by clicking here. 

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