A s’more is a warm American treat made by sandwiching toasted marshmallow and chocolate between two crisp biscuits. The heat softens the chocolate, the marshmallow turns gooey and the biscuits add the crunch. Simple ingredients; properly joyful results.
This complete UK guide explains what s’mores are, where they came from, how to make them at home and which biscuits work when graham crackers are difficult to find.
Shop Annie’s s’mores kits or use the guide below to build your own.
What is a s’more?
The classic American s’more has three parts:
- Graham crackers – lightly sweet, crisp American crackers.
- Chocolate – usually milk chocolate, although dark, white and filled chocolate all work.
- Toasted marshmallow – soft inside, lightly caramelised outside and warm enough to melt the chocolate.
The usual method is to place chocolate on one biscuit, add the freshly toasted marshmallow and press a second biscuit on top. In Britain, digestive biscuits are a popular substitute for graham crackers. They make a slightly richer, more buttery s’more, but the same toast-stack-squish idea applies.
Why are they called s’mores?
“S’more” is a contraction of “some more” – exactly what people tend to ask for after the first one. The earliest known published recipe appeared under the name “Some More” in the 1927 Girl Scouts handbook Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. The snack may have existed earlier, but 1927 is the clearest documented starting point for the familiar biscuit, chocolate and toasted-marshmallow combination.
Read the full history of s’mores.
How to make a classic s’more
- Build the base. Place one or two squares of chocolate on a graham cracker or digestive biscuit.
- Toast the marshmallow. Turn it slowly until the outside is golden and the middle is soft.
- Stack and press. Put the warm marshmallow on the chocolate, top with a second biscuit and gently press for a few seconds.
Eat it while it is warm, but allow the marshmallow and skewer to cool enough to handle safely. For more detail, including oven and microwave options, see our easy UK s’mores recipe.
Can you make s’mores without a campfire?
Yes. Depending on the ingredients and equipment you have, marshmallows can be warmed under an oven grill or briefly in a microwave. A purpose-made tabletop burner may also be suitable, but only when its packaging and manufacturer specifically approve the intended use.
Safety first: an adult should manage flames, ignition and hot skewers. Supervise children throughout, keep the setup stable and clear, never leave a flame unattended, never add fuel to a hot or lit burner, and follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
What can you use in the UK?
You do not need to hunt down every American ingredient to enjoy a good s’more.
- For the biscuit: graham crackers give the traditional result; digestives, rich tea or other firm biscuits are useful UK alternatives.
- For the chocolate: use pieces that fit the biscuit and soften easily. Milk chocolate is classic, but choose the flavour you enjoy.
- For the marshmallow: larger marshmallows are easier to toast evenly. Check the label if vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergen requirements matter.
Annie’s kits bring the core ingredients together in one gift-ready box. Contents differ between products, so use the product page and current packaging as the final guide for ingredients, allergens and dietary suitability.
Easy s’mores ideas
- Chocolate-orange: pair milk or dark chocolate with a little orange flavour.
- Peanut-butter cup: swap the chocolate square for a peanut-butter cup, checking allergens first.
- Strawberry: add a thin slice of fresh strawberry just before serving.
- Salted caramel: use caramel chocolate and the smallest pinch of sea salt.
- Vegan: choose clearly labelled vegan marshmallows, chocolate and biscuits, or browse our vegan collection.
Planning a family s’mores night
Prepare the biscuits and chocolate before any heat is introduced, give each person a clear assembly space and keep napkins nearby. Adults can toast while children choose their chocolate and build their cooled s’mores. Our family s’mores-night guide covers the setup step by step.
For weddings, parties, corporate thank-yous or larger celebrations, see event and bulk gifting.
S’mores FAQs
Is it “s’more”, “smore” or “s’mores”?
The standard spelling is s’more for one and s’mores for more than one. People often search for “smores” without the apostrophe, but it means the same thing.
What biscuits are best for s’mores in the UK?
Graham crackers are traditional. Digestive biscuits are the most familiar UK substitute because they are crisp, sturdy and large enough to hold the filling.
Do s’mores always contain chocolate?
The classic recipe does. You can vary the type of chocolate or use another meltable filling, but marshmallow, chocolate and crisp biscuits are the combination most people mean by a s’more.
Can children make s’mores?
Children can help assemble them, but an attentive adult should control any flame, hot appliance and skewer. Choose age-appropriate portions, supervise eating and check all ingredient labels for allergens.
Are s’mores vegetarian or vegan?
Not automatically. Many marshmallows contain gelatine and some chocolate or biscuits contain milk. Check the current packaging for every component or choose a kit specifically labelled for your dietary needs.
How should leftover ingredients be stored?
Keep biscuits and marshmallows sealed in a cool, dry place and store chocolate according to its packaging. Once assembled and warmed, s’mores are best eaten straight away.
Ready to make some more?
Explore Annie’s Sweets & Treats s’mores kits, packed with care by our family in Lancashire and ready for cosy nights, birthdays and gifts across the UK.