It’s that time of the year – summertime and family reunions. There is nothing more enjoyable at family gatherings than a little competitive “fun”. Be it tug of war over a mud puddle, most creative campfire song, sack races or a refreshing game of water balloon toss. Games are always fun, especially when the outcome has no meaning – when everyone participates for the sake of partaking and there are no losers.
One of our last family barbecues before Brother Dear went home to heaven is a beautiful example of “all in the spirit of fun, everybody wins competition”. We held a S’Mores Competition. Let me say this right off the bat – no, this wasn’t a contest to see who could eat the most s’mores. If that were the case, the kids would win hands down – and chances are the winner among them would end up with a belly ache.
A S’mores competition involves imagination – on the part of the contestants and judges alike. The rules are simple.
- Entries may be submitted by individuals or teams.
- Only one entry per individual or team. (Giving good reason for a little research and advanced experimental sampling).
- Those not submitting an entry are, by default, deemed “judges” (everyone participates in the competition one way or another).
- Anything goes – the only “rule” regarding ingredients for the s’mores is that the marshmallow must be roasted at the competition. Beyond that, the sky’s the limit. (So be creative – use your imagination and have fun).
- No one can reveal their “secret” ingredient ahead of time – all very hush-hush. That way the Judges are completely in the dark.
- Completed entries are submitted for “judgement” on numbered paper plates. No individual names or team names – nothing to sway or influence the judges.
- Judges must create categories on the spot based on the number of submissions. (There are no losers). Categories can be things such as most unusual, most surprising, most colorful, best presentation and so forth.
Like all good competitors, practice makes perfect. As a contestant in a S’Mores contest, it’s best to have a few trial-runs to firm up the concept of your concoction before hand. Besides, trial runs are a good excuse to have a barbecue, invite a few friends and use them as guinea pigs. I know in our house, we tried six different types of chocolates, four bases, a couple of spreads and two types of sauces before each of us decided on our final entry.
That’s all there is to it.
What you will Need:
A campfire large enough to allow roasting safely without over crowding. Parents are allowed to roast marshmallows for younger children, but the child needs to dictate what goes onto or into their s’more. So if your child wants peanut butter on a banana with a roasted marshmallow on top, that’s fine. Moms and dads can help their kids assemble the s’more, but CANNOT influence the creative process. It’s all in the spirit of fun, so relax and go for it! When building your fire, remember there is such a thing as too hot. It’s a campfire, not a bonfire.
An area away from the judges for the contestants to set up and assemble their s’mores with “secret” ingredients. A folding table with ample room for everyone to stand at is always nice. Sharing ingredients is encouraged, after all it’s a friendly compensation. Gather ’round the tables and have a good time.
A place for the judges to sample the entries, talk among themselves and come up with the perfect categories to insure nothing but winners all the way around. Be sure to give the judges paper and pencils to record the various categories and make notes for the awards presentation. (Our “prizes” were giant candy bars – just what we all needed after the s’mores!)
Additional Supplies:
- Sticks or skewers for roasting the marshmallows
- Marshmallows for roasting
- Plain Gram Crackers
- Plain Chocolate Candy Bars
- Matching Numbered Plates
Just to give you a few ideas, here are a some of our entries. Remember, the sky’s the limit – be creative. Above all else, have fun!!
Voted Most Unique S’more – Hubby’s Entry
Cool Mint Tower
1 round Chocolate Cake Base (2” in diameter)
1 Peppermint Patty
2 Roasted Marshmallows
1 Chocolate Gram Cracker
Place cake base on plate.
Roast 2 marshmallows until golden on the outside, soft on the inside.
Place 1 roasted marshmallow on top of cake base. Place peppermint patty on top of roasted marshmallow.
Place remaining roasted marshmallow on top of Peppermint Patty.
Place ½ of a Chocolate Gram Cracker over roasted marshmallow. Press down and enjoy.
Voted Most Spicy S’More – Kiddo’s Entry
Some Like It Hot
1 Chocolate Gram Cracker, broken in half
1 Square Dark Chocolate infused with Chili
2 Roasted Marshmallows
Place half a chocolate gram cracker on a plate. Top with 1 square of Chili Infused Dark Chocolate.
Roast marshmallows until golden on the outside, soft inside.
Place roasted marshmallows on top of chocolate.
Place remaining half of chocolate gram cracker over roasted marshmallow. Press down and enjoy.
Voted Most Surprising – Our Grand-Daughter’s Entry
No Crackers Required
2 Peppermint Patties
2 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
2 Roasted Marshmallows
Place 1 peppermint on a plate.
Top with 1 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
Place roasted marshmallow on top of peanut butter cup.
Place 2nd peanut butter cup on top of roasted marshmallow.
Top with remaining peppermint patty.
Press together and enjoy!
Voted Most Creative S’More – Yours Truly
Zamora S’mora
2 Round Chocolate Cakes (2” in diameter)
1 Square Dark Chocolate Infused with Orange
2 Roasted Marshmallows
Coffee House Style Caramel Sauce
Bake a chocolate cake from a box or use your favorite recipe. Using a cookie cutter or mold, cut circles from the cake.
Place one cake round on a plate. Top with Orange Infused Chocolate square.
Roast marshmallows until golden on the outside, soft inside.
Place roasted marshmallows on top of chocolate.
Top with remaining cake round. Drizzle with caramel sauce and enjoy.
Note: Cake rounds were cut from a chocolate cake that had been baked in a jellyroll pan. I cut the rounds using a 2″ round cookie cutter.
The name Zamora S’Mora actually comes from a little town in Northern California called Zamora. While the town itself isn’t much more than a freeway exit, with a mini-mart on one side of the Interstate, and a tiny church on the other, the name sounds romantically exotic – Zamora.
Need more ideas? Just look at what my creative family came up with . . .
Best Presentation – a wonderful S’Mores Stuffed sugar cone
Most Colorful – a roasted marshmallow rolled in rice cereal puffs
Best Use of Fruit – The Banana Wafer – made with Vanilla Wafers and sliced bananas
Best Holiday Theme – Thanksgiving Came Early – with cinnamon gram crackers and sweet potatoes as key ingredients
Happy Toasting Everyone!
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 
I so remember that night and one I will always look back . Jimmy was so full of life. Who would have know that in a very short time he would be gone.
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Oh but we have such great memories!
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