It's a S'mores Summer: How to Create a S'mores Bar

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetsMakeSmores #CollectiveBias #sponsored

I believe S'mores are a little taste of heaven on earth! Having a S'more takes me back to camping with my girl scout troop, warm summer nights at the lake with my family, and roaring beach bonfires with friends. In fact we moved from the coast of California one year ago, and my last night in our sleepy beach town we attended a bonfire, surrounded by friends and making S'mores! It was an amazing memory to leave on, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

My kids are quite thankful for my love of S'mores. Whether for summer fun or a "Mom-of the Year" weeknight dessert, I'm ready to make S'mores. It is not uncommon to hear "Let's make S'mores tonight!" ring throughout my house. I really have no problem accommodating this request. S'mores are really easy to make on a weekend or weekday..and I have never met anyone who does not love a S'more.

I am always ready to break out the Jet Puffed marshmallows, Honey Maid graham squares, and Hershey's chocolate (yes - I firmly believe that these specific ingredients are what makes an amazing S'more!). We do like to add some unique touches now and then, but I hold a special place in my heart for the Classic S'more!
 

Now that we have moved to our new neighborhood in Texas, we cannot have a wood burning firepit outside and out fireplace is not wood burning either! But that cannot stop us (or you either!) - there are so many other options for making outdoors S'mores - the grill, Charcoal, a DIY S'mores cooker, or even a solar oven (we are trying that next) all work for S'mores!

So my family was almost going through S'mores withdrawal...but to celebrate our one year anniversary in Texas, I thought it was appropriate to get back into the swing of things and throw a summer S'mores party, complete with a Custom S'mores making station and a fabulous new recipe!

I really wanted to create a fun S'more Bar that reminded me of home in California (I added a few of my favorite finds to the background of the S'more Bar) but also celebrated our time in Texas! It is time to kick off a new tradition with our new friends and neighbors.

Of course, to make S'mores, you have to have the necessary ingredients, right? Well, lucky for me (and you too) there was a fully-stocked S'mores display right in the center aisle of my Walmart (I bet yours has one too!). It's like it was meant to be! I was able to pick up my Jet Puffed Marshmallows, Honey Maid Graham Squares, and Hershey's Bars all in one place! Of course I made the rounds and picked up a few other items as well.

I was trying to surprise the kids, but that's a little hard to do since school is out, so they helped me make S'mores kabobs and S'mores Crackers for our Summer S'mores Celebration. They also helped decorate (because they love helping decorate...even my teenage son...but don't tell anyone that!).

When setting up the buffet table it needs to make sense (I was a wedding planner for a long time, so might know a little something about this!). I like people to get what they need in the order they need it! Here are some thoughts on how I set up the table:

• I originally was going to put the tabletop S'mores cooker on the table, but decided that for safety sake and traffic flow, it was best to have it in another area. The cooker gets very hot and there would just not be enough room.
• After determining the cooker would be in another area, it became apparent the guests would need a plate or tray to carry their S'mores fixings. That is when I made the S'mores boats. I placed the S'mores boats and napkins and utensils on the right on the table.
• I placed the Custom S'mores ingredients - chocolates, crackers, marshmallow, and sticks - in the center, as the focal point of the bar. I assumed that is what most people are there for. 
• On the left (or end of the table) I set up a tray with the S'mores Crackers (see recipe below) and S'mores kabobs. This placement makes it easy for guests to grab and go if they just want one of these treats.

Now let's talk decor and details! I LOVE layers and textures and started with my linens. I used layers of linens in natural colors and topped the center of the table with lengths of wood to accent the focal point of the table. Then I pulled trays and cake stands from around my house to add height and interest. 

Having an event outside requires a little extra consideration. I knew there could be bugs waiting for these treats, so I tried to keep as much as possible covered - I kept the bars in the packaging and placed the marshmallows in a glass canister, and brought our the S;mores Crackers right before serving.

I found some miniature "pie tins" at the craft store and thought they made a great piece for display. I created some printables (see bottom of the post) and glued them to the tins.

While we love Classic S'mores in this house, we wanted our guest to have options. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey's Caramel, and Miniature Hershey's bars were added to the S'mores Bar.

After I realized we needed plates or something for our S'mores. I made these S'mores Boats, so everyone could easily gather their supplies and head over to the S'mores Cooker.

Of course, no S'mores Bar is complete without the proper supplies. Here is a helpful list of items you might want to include when you go shopping for your own S'mores Bar. I like to keep my overall offerings limited to 2-3 variations per party (keeps the guest coming back for more parties!) but I always include the All-American, The Classic S'more.

• Jet Puffed Marshmallows
• Hershey's Milk Chocolate bars
• Honey Maid Graham Squares (they are already in squares - no breaking required!)
• Roasting sticks/forks
• Plates and napkins (or make your own containers, like I did)
• We also used:
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
• Hershey's Caramel
• Hershey's Miniatures (Special Dark Chocolate, Mr. Goodbar, and Krackel)

 I also decided to try something different with my graham crackers...

so I made S'mores Crackers!

These delicious treats are great on their own or use one, or consider pairing one with a plain Graham Square for your toasty S'more.

Here is what you need to make S'mores Crackers. (and a video to show you how)

• One Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar. I made 9 Graham Squares with one Hershey's Bar.
• Honey Maid Graham Squares
• Jet Puffed Miniature Marshmallows
• Baker's Angel Flake Coconut
• Reese's Pieces

• Lay out grahams cracker squares on parchment (or wax) paper.
• In a glass measure cup (or microwave safe bowl) break up and melt one Hershey's chocolate bar. Work in 30 second increments, stirring in between. Move quickly so that you can work with the chocolate while it is soft and liquid.
• Use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate on the graham cracker in a back-and-forth horizontal pattern.
• Immediately sprinkle the warm chocolate with the toppings, slightly pushing them into the chocolate, let dry.

• To finish off the crackers, use the spoon again to drizzle chocolate on top of the toppings, but use a back-and-forth vertical motion. Here's a video to show you more!
• Place the crackers in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to harden the chocolate.

Once you have all the necessary supplies and ingredients...your S'mores Bar is set up and ready for the guests to make their own custom creations! As I mentioned we cannot have a wood burning firepit in our neighborhood...but that won't stop us! We used a portable S'mores Cooker made from a terra cotta pot, foil, and charcoal. It was really easy to do. My only caution is that the pot gets HOT! Be sure you watch young children and place the pot on concrete or use trivets to protect your surfaces.

These hot coals make AMAZING, perfectly toasted marshmallows...quickly! Be sure to have your Graham Squares and Hershey's Ready.

Look at this gorgeous (yes...I said gorgeous) S'more. Perfection if you ask me! Time to enjoy the evening with a S'more and the guests.

Here are printables that you can use for your own Summer S'mores party! I really like people to know what they are eating, and simple labels for the S'more's and even a blank sheet that you can use to name your own are just right.

I love a banner...I really do!! I love this S'mores banner so much! Just punch some holes in the corners and string on some twine or bakers twine.

I know my kids are thrilled when I say #LetsMakeSmores

What is your favorite way to enjoy S'mores?

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre   This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetsMakeSmores #CollectiveBias #sponsored