Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies

These Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies bring the iconic flavors of a campfire s’more right into your kitchen. Imagine the melty chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and the crunch of graham crackers all in a warm, soft cookie. Every bite is a nostalgic trip back to those cozy nights by the fire, but now you can enjoy them anytime.

This recipe is perfect for those who love a fun twist on classic cookies. They’re great for gatherings, potlucks, or even as an indulgent treat after a long day. The combination of textures—soft and chewy with a little crunch—will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Full Recipe:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup mini marshmallows

1 cup crushed graham crackers
Extra graham cracker squares and mini marshmallows for topping

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and kosher salt.
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
Fold in chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers.

Scoop cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top each dough ball with additional graham cracker squares and mini marshmallows.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the marshmallows are slightly toasted.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes

Kcal: 300 kcal per cookie | Servings: 24 cookies

History and Inspiration Behind Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies

S’mores have long been associated with campfires, a quintessential American treat dating back to the early 20th century. Made from just three ingredients—graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows—they’ve become a nostalgic symbol of family gatherings and summer fun. By combining these classic s’mores ingredients with the ever-popular chocolate chip cookie, you get the best of both worlds: the chewy goodness of a cookie paired with the rich flavors of melted chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and the satisfying crunch of graham crackers.

This twist on the classic s’mores recipe allows you to bring that comforting campfire feeling indoors, with an easy-to-make, oven-baked treat. Perfect for those days when you crave something sweet but don’t have access to a fire pit!

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies

Unique Twist: These cookies take everything you love about s’mores—marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers—and wrap it up in a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie.
Fun for All Ages: Kids and adults alike will enjoy making (and eating) these cookies. They’re great for sharing at family events, potlucks, or even camping-themed parties.

Easy to Make: This recipe requires no special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. With a few pantry staples, you can create a dessert that looks impressive and tastes incredible.
Customizable: Want to add your own twist? Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate, or add a sprinkle of sea salt for that sweet-salty combination.

Recipe Tips

Marshmallow Tip: To get that perfect gooey marshmallow texture, slightly underbake the cookies. They should be soft and chewy in the center, which allows the marshmallows to melt without becoming overly sticky.

Graham Cracker Pieces: Make sure to leave some larger chunks of graham crackers in the dough for that extra crunch and texture in every bite.
Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If you want them warm and gooey again, just pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds.

Pairing Ideas

Cold Milk: These cookies are a match made in heaven with a cold glass of milk. The creamy milk helps balance out the richness of the chocolate and sweetness of the marshmallows.

Hot Chocolate: For an extra indulgent experience, pair your cookies with a cup of hot chocolate. The warm drink complements the gooey marshmallow filling for a double hit of chocolatey goodness.

Variations and Substitutions

Chocolate Variations: You can swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips, depending on your taste preferences.
Add Peanut Butter: For a peanut butter twist, try adding some peanut butter chips to the cookie dough or spreading a thin layer of peanut butter on the graham crackers before baking.

Vegan Adaptation: Substitute the butter for a plant-based alternative and use vegan marshmallows and chocolate chips to make a vegan-friendly version of this recipe.

Why Do Marshmallows Puff Up?

When you bake marshmallows, the heat causes the moisture inside to turn into steam, which makes them expand and puff up. This is why they become soft, gooey, and even a bit crispy around the edges if baked long enough. To avoid over-expanding marshmallows, it’s important to use mini marshmallows in this recipe—they spread more evenly throughout the dough and create that irresistible gooey center in the cookies.

How the Ingredients Work Together

Butter: The softened butter provides the rich, buttery flavor and helps with the cookie’s structure. Creaming the butter and sugar together aerates the dough, leading to a light, tender texture.

Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar gives the cookies moisture and adds a chewy texture due to its higher molasses content. Meanwhile, the granulated sugar adds crispiness to the edges.
Chocolate Chips: The semi-sweet chocolate provides balance to the sweetness of the marshmallows and graham crackers. The chocolate melts during baking, giving each bite a smooth, indulgent feel.
Graham Crackers: Crushed graham crackers are the secret ingredient that brings the traditional s’mores flavor to life. They add a light crunch and the signature flavor combination we associate with classic s’mores.

Creative Serving Ideas for Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies

Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: Take two Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies and sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream between them for an amazing dessert. Vanilla, chocolate, or even marshmallow swirl ice cream would work beautifully.
S’mores Cookie Bars: Want to switch up the form? Press the cookie dough into a greased baking pan to make cookie bars. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, then slice into squares. They’re a great option for serving at parties or potlucks.
Dip Them in Chocolate: For an even richer treat, melt some chocolate and dip half of each cookie in it. Let them set on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the fridge for a few minutes to harden. This adds a gourmet touch to these already-delicious cookies.

Nutritional Breakdown and Health Considerations

Each Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookie contains approximately 300 calories, which might seem high, but that’s because of the indulgent ingredients like butter, chocolate, and marshmallows. These cookies are definitely a treat for special occasions!

However, if you’re looking to lighten them up a bit, consider these alternatives:

Substitute some of the butter with a healthier fat option like coconut oil or a mashed banana. This can reduce the calorie and fat content while maintaining flavor.

Reduce the sugar: You could try reducing the amount of sugar by about 1/4 cup, especially if you’re using milk chocolate, which is sweeter than semi-sweet chocolate.
Add fiber: Swap out half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour to add fiber and extra nutrients without sacrificing too much of the cookie’s texture.

Fun Facts About S’mores and Their Influence

The Origin of S’mores: The first official recipe for s’mores was published in a 1927 Girl Scout manual called Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts, but they were likely enjoyed long before then. The name “s’mores” is short for “some more,” which makes sense—once you try them, you’ll want more!

International Variations: Although s’mores are a distinctly North American treat, other cultures have their own versions of this campfire favorite. In Australia, for example, people make “damper,” a simple bread cooked over campfires and eaten with sweet spreads or even toasted marshmallows.
S’mores Day: Did you know that there’s a National S’mores Day? It’s celebrated on August 10th every year. You can use this day as a special occasion to make your Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies and share them with friends or family.

The Perfect Occasions for Serving These Cookies

Camping Trips: If you’re heading on a camping trip but don’t want to mess with fire and marshmallow sticks, bake a batch of these cookies ahead of time. They’re a great portable treat with all the classic s’mores flavors.

Holiday Cookie Exchanges: S’mores might remind you of summer, but these cookies are perfect for holiday cookie swaps. They stand out from traditional holiday cookies and will be a hit with anyone who loves a mix of gooey, crunchy, and chocolatey treats.
Picnics & BBQs: These cookies are easy to pack and travel well, making them an excellent dessert to bring to outdoor gatherings. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a beachside picnic, they’re sure to impress.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies

Not Allowing the Cookies to Cool: It’s tempting to dig right into the cookies when they’re fresh out of the oven, but it’s essential to let them cool for at least 5 minutes. This will allow the marshmallows to set slightly and make the cookies easier to handle.

Over-baking: Since the marshmallows can burn quickly, be sure to keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. Once the edges turn golden brown, remove them from the oven. Overbaking can result in hard cookies instead of the gooey, chewy texture you’re after.
Under-mixing the Dough: Be sure to fully incorporate the graham cracker pieces into the dough. This ensures that every bite gets that classic s’mores crunch. However, be gentle to avoid breaking the graham crackers into too-small pieces.

Alternative Recipes You Can Try

S’mores Brownies: Use brownie batter instead of cookie dough, and top with a layer of mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs before baking for a decadent twist on this recipe.

Gluten-Free S’mores Cookies: Swap out the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free graham crackers. These cookies will still be soft, chewy, and just as delicious.
S’mores Cookie Dough Truffles: Roll the raw dough (without eggs) into small balls, dip them in melted chocolate, and refrigerate until set for an indulgent no-bake dessert.

Conclusion

Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies bring the nostalgic flavors of classic campfire s’mores into a delicious, easy-to-make cookie form. Combining gooey marshmallows, melted chocolate, and crunchy graham crackers, these cookies offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors that everyone will love. Whether you’re making them for a cozy night in or sharing at a family gathering, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Plus, they’re customizable, making them a versatile treat for any occasion. Bake a batch and enjoy a taste of summer year-round!