Toasted Marshmallows for a Day at the Beach

What is a beach? While that might sound like a foolish question, as we prepare to move to a land-locked state, I did begin to wonder.

To this California gal a beach is at the ocean’s edge. Or surrounding a large lake, but never at the river’s edge. Surprisingly enough, what we think of as a beach, that sandy strip of land along the ocean’s edge, only accounts for a third of the global coastlines. Most lakes don’t have a beach, and rivers tend to have grassy or wooded banks. So I guess my vision of sandy beaches isn’t as common as I thought.

No matter the beach (or lack thereof), nothing says being in the great outdoors like toasted marshmallows. Yet not all toasted marshmallows are destine to become sandwiched between two graham crackers to create a childhood favorite – S’Mores.

I say let’s celebrate Beach Day and National Toasted Marshmallow Day with a sinfully delicious S’Mores Chocolate Pie. Yeah!

S’Mores Chocolate Pie
5 tablespoons Butter
1-1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/4 cup Sugar
2 (3 oz) packages Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
2 cups Milk
1/4 cup unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 cups Mini Marshmallows
1 Chocolate Candy Bar for garnish
Graham Crackers as needed for garnish

Heat oven to 350-degrees. While the oven warms, melt butter and let cool for a few minutes

In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Spray a 9-inch deep dish pie plate with cooking spray. Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom prepared pie plate. Place in the heated oven to bake for about 8 minutes or until lightly golden and toasted. Let cool completely.

Empty the Chocolate Pudding mix into a chilled bowl. Whisk in Heavy Cream, Milk and Cocoa Powder until it just begins to set as a soft stage pudding. Whisk in the vanilla extract. Continue to whisk to the medium stage (not soft but not fully set).

Pour chocolate pudding into the cooled graham cracker crust. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for several hours.

Top with mini marshmallows. Place pie under the broiler for about a minute or 2 for the marshmallows to begin to toast.

Note: Toasting the marshmallows can also be done with a kitchen torch

Break a few squares from a candy bar. While the marshmallows are still soft and slightly warm, insert chocolate, leaving pieces to stick out in a decorative fashion. If desired, a few broken pieces of gram cracker would also be a nice garnish.

Allow pie to cool completely before serving.

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You are my help,
and in the shadow of Your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.