Like savoring a slice of watermelon, licking popsicles, and eating dozens of hot dogs, making s'mores is a summertime classic. And while the first official recipe appeared more than 95 years ago, the undocumented tradition of the s'more may have started earlier.
The very first marshmallows came from a plant called Althaea officinalis. Early civilizations, including the ancient Greeks and Romans, used the root and leaves of the plant for medicinal purposes, often to help with inflammation (and as a laxative). In fact, the word "Althaea" comes from the Greek "altheo" meaning "to cure." But it was the French who first marketed marshmallow as a treat rather than a medicine, combining the root juice of the plant with eggs and sugar beaten into a foam. They formed the soft paste into a lozenge and called it pâte de guimauve. Its purpose was two-fold: to soothe the throat and taste good. But this treat was expensive and labor intensive, much like the marshmallow-based medicines of the day. By the end of the 19th century, gelatin replaced the juice from the actual plant because it was a close approximation in taste and form, but a much cheaper alternative.
Graham crackers were originally invented to curb sex drive. Early 19th-century New Jersey Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham believed that humanity, as Atlas Obscura reports, was on its way to moral collapse due to an obsession with carnal desires. He also believed the food we were eating greatly contributed to our undeterred need to have sex. A simple steak dinner with wine could, according to an 1847 text he wrote, "increase the concupiscent excitability ... of the genital organs." So, he promoted a special process of baking using only "finely ground, unbleached wheat flour, wheat bran, and coarsely ground germ." Out of this came a bland, dry cracker that he named after himself: the graham cracker.
There are a few potential precursors to the iteration of s'mores we know today. Victorian-era funeral cakes, specially prepared upon the death of a loved one, sometimes included chocolate and marshmallow. During the 1890s, a marshmallow roasting fad took hold of summer resort towns in the Northeast. Places like Asbury Park in New Jersey hosted such events, which often drew a young crowd given that newspapers at the time called the roasts an "excellent medium for flirtation" since people could nibble off each other's sticks. Mallomars, which are essentially s'mores in cookie form, first appeared on shelves in 1913. Moonpies, basically a s'more cousin, debuted a few years later.
While all of these tasty innovations got the idea of roasted marshmallow with chocolate and graham crackers into people's heads (and mouths), it wasn't until 1927 that it all came together in gooey symphony.
The first official recipe for a s'more came out in the 1927 Girl Scout guidebook, Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.
While the book was meant to give advice on how to be a good Girl Scout (always get a parent's permission before hiking!), its lasting legacy was the "Some More." Originally intended to feed eight hungry scouts, the recipe, which was later credited to a troop leader named Loretta Scott Crew, calls for 16 graham crackers, eight bars of plain chocolate, and 16 marshmallows. Next, it says to toast the marshmallows to a "crispy, gooey state." Then, put the marshmallow on top of a chocolate bar and in between two graham crackers, and violà, you got a "Some More." It's unclear when the name was shortened to simply "s'more," but various Girl Scout publications referred to the treat as "Some More" until at least 1971.
If nothing else, it all makes for a good campfire story.
FAQs
No one knows for sure who invented the s'more. However, the first published recipe for “some mores" was in a 1927 publication called Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. Loretta Scott Crew, who made them for Girl Scouts by the campfire, is given credit for the recipe.
What does "s mores" stand for? ›
Etymology and origins. S'more is a contraction of the phrase "some more". A s'more recipe appeared in a Campfire Marshmallows cookbook in the early 1920s, where it was called a "Graham Cracker Sandwich". The text indicates that the treat was already popular with both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
How old are S Mores? ›
Though the exact date s'mores were invented remains a mystery, the first formal recipe for the treat, then called “Some Mores,” is recorded in the 1927 book, “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” The original recipe calls for 16 graham crackers, 16 marshmallows and eight bars of chocolate broken in two.
What were the ingredients in the 1927 S mores? ›
Ingredients
- 16 graham crackers.
- 8 bars plain chocolate (any of the good plain brands broken in two)
- 16 marshmallows.
2. It appears the treat was a campfire staple long before the dictionary officially recognized it: The first known s'mores recipe was published in the Girl Scouts handbook Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts in 1927.
Who started putting marshmallows on yams? ›
Most people point to a 1917 pamphlet by the Angelus Marshmallow Company as the first time sweet potatoes and marshmallows came together. This company is believed to be the first to commercially-produce and sell the squishy white marshmallows we know, roast, and snack on today.
What city eats the most S Mores? ›
These tasty treats were originally called “Some Mores,” it is unknown when the name was shortened to “S'mores,” but recipes for using the longer name are in various Girl Scout publications until at least 1971. Grand Rapids, Michigan, hails as the city that eats the most s'mores.
What is the full word for S mores? ›
Next, it says to toast the marshmallows to a "crispy, gooey state." Then, put the marshmallow on top of a chocolate bar and in between two graham crackers, and violà, you got a "Some More." It's unclear when the name was shortened to simply "s'more," but various Girl Scout publications referred to the treat as "Some ...
Are S'mores healthy? ›
S'mores are an iconic America treat, popular at campfires and bonfires. But they can be high in sugar and low in nutrients. This s'mores dip recipe is a healthy take on the classic chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker dessert.
Who first ate marshmallows? ›
Ancient Egyptians were the first to enjoy a gooey treat now called marshmallow as early as 2000 BC. The treat was considered very special and it was reserved for gods and royalty. Marshmallow was made from the mallow plant (Athaea officinalis) that grows wild in marshes.
While the origin of this popular American dessert is unknown, the first recorded version of the s'mores recipe can be found in the the Girl Scouts of America handbook, published in 1927. This recipe has been largely considered as the official introduction of the s'more into popular culture.
When did S'mores Girl Scout cookies come out? ›
Girl Scout S'mores are Girl Scout Cookies that were introduced in 2016. They are graham sandwich cookies with creamy chocolate and marshmallowy filling are one more delicious way to support her next adventure!
What was the original name for S mores? ›
Finally, in 1927, the recipe for a s'more, then known as a “Some More,” arrived in a Girl Scout guidebook titled “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” The recipe was later credited to troop leader Loretta Scott Crew and called for 16 graham crackers, eight bars of chocolate, and 16 marshmallows.
What country is S'mores from? ›
S'mores first appeared in a 1920s US cookbook as a recipe called the 'Graham Cracker Sandwich' where a toasted marshmallow and half a chocolate bar were sandwiched between Graham Crackers - a sweet biscuit made with graham flour and flavoured with honey or cinnamon.
Which graham cracker for s'mores? ›
This didn't surprise our testing team: Honey Maid Graham Crackers are one of the best on the supermarket shelves. These crackers are ideal for making classic campfire s'mores. “These make a clean break when snapped apart—no crumbles!” says Deputy Editor Rachel Seis.
Who invented the word "s mores"? ›
The term s'more is first found the 1938 guide “Recreational Programs for Summer Camps,” by William Henry Gibson. Some think the s'more may be a homemade version of the Mallomar or the moon pie, two snacks introduced in the 1910s. Today, the s'more has become so popular that it's inspired a range of spin-offs.
Are s mores an American thing? ›
While the origin of this popular American dessert is unknown, the first recorded version of the s'mores recipe can be found in the the Girl Scouts of America handbook, published in 1927. This recipe has been largely considered as the official introduction of the s'more into popular culture.
Who invented the marshmallow? ›
Ancient Egyptians were the first to enjoy a gooey treat now called marshmallow as early as 2000 BC. The treat was considered very special and it was reserved for gods and royalty. Marshmallow was made from the mallow plant (Athaea officinalis) that grows wild in marshes.
Who thought to put marshmallows in hot chocolate? ›
Marshmallows first came into the picture in 1917, when the company Angelus Marshmallows published a recipe for hot cocoa topped with their product. (In another genius marketing move, the company also hitched its wagon to sweet potatoes with a recipe for the side dish that has since become a Thanksgiving staple.)
