Every year on August 10, people across the country celebrate National S’mores Day, a fun and delicious occasion honoring one of America’s most recognizable summertime treats.
Few desserts are as simple—or as nostalgic—as the classic s’more.
All you need is a toasted marshmallow, a piece of chocolate, and two graham cracker squares. Put them together while the marshmallow is still warm, and something wonderful happens. The chocolate begins to soften, the marshmallow becomes irresistibly gooey, and the crunchy graham crackers hold everything together.
It’s messy.
It’s sweet.
And it’s nearly impossible to eat just one.
But National S’mores Day isn’t really just about dessert.
S’mores remind us of summer evenings around a campfire, family camping vacations, backyard fire pits, scout trips, beach bonfires, laughter with friends, and the excitement children experience when they’re allowed to roast their own marshmallow.
Sometimes food becomes connected to memories, and few treats demonstrate that better than s’mores.
On August 10, National S’mores Day gives us an excuse to bring out the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows and create a few more sweet memories.
What Is National S’mores Day?
National S’mores Day is celebrated annually on August 10.
The day recognizes the classic American treat traditionally made from three ingredients:
- Graham crackers
- Chocolate
- Marshmallows
The marshmallow is usually roasted over a campfire until warm and gooey. It’s then placed on chocolate and sandwiched between two graham cracker pieces.
The heat from the marshmallow softens the chocolate, creating the perfect combination of crunchy, creamy, melted, and gooey textures.
National S’mores Day arrives at the perfect time of year.
August means warm evenings, camping trips, family vacations, backyard gatherings, and some of the final big adventures before summer begins winding down.
Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or sitting around a backyard fire pit, August 10 is a perfect night to make some s’mores.
Where Did S’mores Come From?
Like many famous foods, determining exactly who invented the first s’more isn’t easy.
People had been roasting marshmallows over fires long before the familiar combination of marshmallow, chocolate, and graham crackers became popular.
However, one important moment in s’mores history occurred in 1927.
A recipe called “Some More” appeared in the Girl Scouts publication Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.
The recipe described roasting marshmallows until they became gooey and placing them between graham crackers with chocolate.
The name apparently came from the obvious reaction people had after eating one.
They wanted some more.
Over time, “some more” became shortened to s’more.
The name couldn’t be more appropriate.
The Three Ingredients Behind the Classic S’more
Part of what makes s’mores so enduring is their simplicity.
Each ingredient brings something different to the dessert.
Graham Crackers
The graham cracker provides the crunch and structure.
Interestingly, graham crackers weren’t originally developed as dessert ingredients.
They trace their history to the ideas of Sylvester Graham, a 19th-century Presbyterian minister and dietary reformer who promoted foods made from coarsely ground whole wheat flour.
Modern graham crackers eventually became sweeter than Graham’s original dietary vision, and today they’re an essential ingredient in everything from cheesecake crusts to s’mores.
Marshmallows
Marshmallows have an even longer history.
Ancient versions of marshmallow-like sweets were made using the sap of the marsh mallow plant. Over time, confectioners developed modern marshmallows using ingredients such as sugar and gelatin.
For s’mores, marshmallows serve another important purpose.
They’re the heat source that melts the chocolate.
A properly roasted marshmallow develops a lightly caramelized exterior while becoming wonderfully soft inside.
Chocolate
Chocolate completes the classic s’more.
Milk chocolate is traditionally popular because it melts easily and provides plenty of sweetness.
However, there’s no rule saying you have to stick with milk chocolate.
Dark chocolate, white chocolate, caramel-filled chocolate, peanut butter cups, and other chocolate candies can completely change the experience.
Why S’mores Became a Camping Tradition
S’mores and camping seem almost inseparable.
That’s probably because the recipe is perfectly designed for outdoor cooking.
You don’t need a kitchen.
You don’t need mixing bowls.
You don’t need measuring cups.
You don’t need an oven.
All you need is a safe fire, roasting stick or skewer, and three ingredients.
S’mores also turn dessert into an activity.
Everyone gets to participate.
Instead of simply being handed dessert at the end of dinner, you make your own.
You choose your marshmallow.
You roast it.
You decide how brown you want it.
You assemble your s’more.
And then you eat the result.
For children especially, that experience can become one of the highlights of a camping trip.
Everyone Has a Marshmallow-Roasting Personality
Ask a group of people how to roast the perfect marshmallow and you’ll probably get several different answers.
There are generally a few recognizable marshmallow-roasting styles.
The Patient Roaster
This person carefully holds the marshmallow near glowing coals and slowly rotates it.
No flames.
No rushing.
The goal is a perfectly even golden-brown exterior with a completely melted center.
The Fire Lover
This person puts the marshmallow directly into the flame.
Within seconds:
WHOOSH.
The marshmallow catches fire.
They blow it out and happily eat the blackened, crispy outside.
The Impatient Roaster
This person intends to create the perfect golden marshmallow but decides after approximately 20 seconds that waiting is overrated.
Slightly warm is good enough.
The Double Roaster
Why roast one marshmallow when you can roast two?
These ambitious s’mores fans know exactly what they’re doing.
The Marshmallow Dropper
Every campfire group has one.
The marshmallow begins to soften.
It slowly starts sliding down the roasting stick.
Everyone sees what’s about to happen.
Then—
It falls directly into the fire.
Fortunately, that’s why you bring an entire bag.
How to Roast the Perfect Marshmallow
If you’re aiming for a golden-brown marshmallow, patience makes a big difference.
Instead of putting the marshmallow directly into an open flame, look for an area with glowing hot coals.
Hold the marshmallow several inches above the heat.
Slowly rotate your roasting stick.
Allow each side to gradually brown.
The goal is to warm the marshmallow all the way through while caramelizing the exterior.
Once the outside becomes golden and the center feels soft, immediately place the marshmallow onto your chocolate.
The residual heat will help soften the chocolate.
Add the second graham cracker and gently press everything together.
Then take that first wonderfully messy bite.
Classic Campfire S’mores Recipe
You don’t need complicated instructions to make a great s’more.
Ingredients
For each s’more:
- 2 graham cracker squares
- 1 large marshmallow
- 1 piece of milk chocolate
Instructions
Place a piece of chocolate on one graham cracker square.
Put a marshmallow onto a roasting stick or campfire-safe skewer.
Carefully roast the marshmallow over hot coals until it reaches your preferred level of doneness.
Place the hot marshmallow directly onto the chocolate.
Use the second graham cracker to gently slide the marshmallow off the roasting stick.
Press the two graham crackers together.
Wait a few moments for the chocolate to soften.
Enjoy.
Then decide whether you want “some more.”
Spoiler alert:
You probably will.
How to Make S’mores Without a Campfire
One of the great things about National S’mores Day is that you don’t actually need to go camping.
You can enjoy s’mores almost anywhere.
Oven S’mores
Place graham cracker squares on a baking sheet.
Top them with chocolate and marshmallows.
Carefully heat them under the broiler until the marshmallows become lightly toasted.
Watch them constantly because marshmallows can go from golden to burned very quickly.
Remove the baking sheet, add the top graham crackers, and serve.
Microwave S’mores
Place a marshmallow and chocolate on a graham cracker.
Microwave briefly until the marshmallow begins expanding.
Remove carefully and top with another graham cracker.
The marshmallow may become extremely hot, so allow it to cool slightly before eating.
Grill S’mores
Already grilling dinner?
Keep the grill going for dessert.
With appropriate supervision and grilling tools, you can toast marshmallows using the residual heat and finish your evening with s’mores.
Backyard Fire Pit S’mores
You don’t need to travel to a campground to create the classic experience.
A backyard fire pit can provide everything you need for a memorable s’mores night.
Set out chairs, turn on some music, bring out the ingredients, and spend the evening talking around the fire.
Always follow local fire regulations and supervise children closely.
Creative S’mores Variations
Once you’ve mastered the original, National S’mores Day is the perfect excuse to experiment.
Peanut Butter S’mores
Spread peanut butter onto one graham cracker before adding your chocolate and marshmallow.
Peanut Butter Cup S’mores
Replace the traditional chocolate with a chocolate peanut butter cup.
The warm marshmallow softens the chocolate and peanut butter together.
Dark Chocolate S’mores
Dark chocolate provides a deeper flavor and can help balance the sweetness of the marshmallow.
White Chocolate S’mores
Swap milk chocolate for white chocolate for a sweeter, creamier variation.
Caramel S’mores
Add caramel-filled chocolate or a small drizzle of caramel.
Strawberry S’mores
Add thin slices of fresh strawberry between the marshmallow and chocolate.
Chocolate and strawberries are already a classic pairing, and they work wonderfully in s’mores.
Banana S’mores
Add thin banana slices for a creamy, fruity addition.
Cookies and Cream S’mores
Replace traditional chocolate with cookies-and-cream chocolate.
Mint Chocolate S’mores
Mint chocolate adds a refreshing flavor to the traditional combination.
Double Chocolate S’mores
Use chocolate graham crackers along with your favorite chocolate bar.
Chocolate lovers won’t complain.
Salted Caramel S’mores
Add caramel and a tiny pinch of flaky salt for a sweet-and-salty variation.
Turn National S’mores Day Into a S’mores Party
Why stop at making one s’more?
Turn August 10 into an entire s’mores celebration.
Invite friends, family, or neighbors over for a backyard gathering.
Create a safe fire area and set up a table filled with ingredients.
Include different kinds of graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolates, fruits, spreads, and candies.
Then allow everyone to invent their own signature s’more.
You could even give the creations funny names and vote on categories such as:
Best Overall S’more
Most Creative S’more
Messiest S’more
Most Chocolatey S’more
Most Unexpected Combination
Best-Looking S’more
Children and adults can both participate.
Build the Ultimate S’mores Bar
A s’mores bar is one of the easiest ways to make National S’mores Day feel like a special event.
Start with several types of crackers:
Traditional graham crackers, chocolate graham crackers, cinnamon graham crackers, or even cookies.
Then provide several chocolate choices:
Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter cups, caramel chocolates, or cookies-and-cream chocolate.
Add fresh fruit:
Strawberries, raspberries, or sliced bananas.
Then include spreads:
Peanut butter, cookie butter, chocolate-hazelnut spread, or caramel.
Everyone can create something completely different.
S’mores-Inspired Desserts
If traditional s’mores aren’t enough, you can turn their familiar flavors into all kinds of desserts.
Popular possibilities include:
S’mores Brownies – Brownies topped with marshmallows, graham cracker pieces, and chocolate.
S’mores Cookies – Chocolate chip cookies featuring marshmallow and graham cracker pieces.
S’mores Cheesecake – Graham cracker crust, chocolate filling, and toasted marshmallow topping.
S’mores Cupcakes – Chocolate cupcakes topped with marshmallow frosting and graham cracker crumbs.
S’mores Ice Cream Sundaes – Ice cream topped with chocolate sauce, toasted marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers.
S’mores Dip – Melted chocolate covered with toasted marshmallows and served with graham crackers for dipping.
S’mores Milkshakes – Chocolate and marshmallow flavors blended into a cold summer treat.
S’mores Pie – Graham cracker crust filled with chocolate and topped with toasted marshmallow.
The possibilities are almost endless.
Make National S’mores Day a Family Tradition
One of the best ways to celebrate National S’mores Day is to turn it into an annual family tradition.
Every August 10, gather outside after dinner.
Light the fire pit.
Put the phones away for a while.
Bring out the marshmallows.
Talk about your favorite moments from the summer.
Tell funny family stories.
Ask children what they’re looking forward to during the rest of the year.
Take a family picture around the fire.
Simple traditions often become meaningful because they’re repeated.
Years later, children may not remember every vacation or gift they received, but they may remember those summer nights when everyone sat together around the fire making s’mores.
Take Your S’mores Night Beyond Dessert
The s’mores might be the reason everyone gathers, but they don’t have to be the only activity.
Make the evening memorable with simple outdoor activities.
Tell campfire stories.
Look for constellations.
Play cards or board games.
Have everyone share their favorite summer memory.
Play music.
Tell jokes.
Take family photographs.
Catch fireflies where they’re common and where doing so is appropriate.
Have children invent their own s’mores recipes.
Sometimes the simplest evenings become the ones people remember most.
The Nostalgia Behind S’mores
Certain foods immediately transport us to another place and time.
S’mores are one of them.
The smell of a campfire can bring back memories of childhood.
Opening a package of graham crackers might remind someone of summer camp.
Watching a marshmallow catch fire might remind a parent of camping with their children when they were younger.
Food can become connected to people, places, seasons, and moments.
That’s one reason s’mores have remained popular for generations.
They’re not simply something we eat.
They’re often part of something we remember.
Why Simple Traditions Matter
Modern life moves quickly.
There are phones buzzing, emails arriving, social media notifications appearing, errands waiting, bills needing attention, and schedules that always seem full.
A campfire has a different rhythm.
You sit.
You watch the flames.
You talk.
You listen.
You wait patiently for a marshmallow to toast.
Nothing complicated needs to happen.
National S’mores Day can serve as a reminder that meaningful moments don’t always require expensive vacations or elaborate plans.
Sometimes all you need is a warm evening, a few people you care about, and a bag of marshmallows.
Fun Facts About S’mores
Here are a few fun pieces of s’mores trivia to share around the campfire:
The word “s’more” is generally understood as a shortened form of “some more.”
A published recipe called “Some More” appeared in a Girl Scouts publication in 1927.
Traditional s’mores require only three main ingredients.
S’mores are especially associated with camping, scouting, bonfires, and summer activities.
The dessert has inspired countless variations, including cookies, cakes, brownies, ice cream, milkshakes, pies, and other sweets.
People have very strong opinions about the proper way to roast a marshmallow.
Some prefer perfectly golden marshmallows.
Others believe a marshmallow isn’t finished until it has caught fire at least once.
There may never be agreement.
S’mores Safety Tips
S’mores are fun, but campfires and hot marshmallows require caution.
Always supervise children around fires.
Use long roasting sticks designed for campfire cooking.
Keep loose clothing and hair away from flames.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Keep water or another appropriate extinguishing method nearby.
Be aware that melted marshmallows can become extremely hot and sticky.
Allow children’s s’mores to cool before they take their first bite.
When you’re finished, completely extinguish the fire according to local safety guidance.
A great National S’mores Day should end with happy memories—not an avoidable accident.
Ways to Celebrate National S’mores Day on August 10
National S’mores Day can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like.
Make traditional s’mores after dinner.
Plan a family camping trip.
Host a backyard bonfire.
Create a s’mores bar.
Try an unusual s’mores combination.
Make s’mores brownies or cookies.
Invite neighbors over.
Teach children how to carefully roast marshmallows.
Share your favorite s’mores recipe.
Post a photo of your creation on social media.
Tell stories around the fire.
Or simply make one classic s’more and enjoy a few quiet minutes outside.
There’s no wrong way to celebrate—as long as there’s something sweet involved.
National S’mores Day Is Really About Making Memories
Chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers explain what a s’more is.
They don’t completely explain why people love them.
The real magic often happens around the dessert.
It’s sitting beside someone you care about.
It’s hearing children laugh when their marshmallow catches fire.
It’s telling stories under the stars.
It’s passing the chocolate to the person sitting next to you.
It’s remembering camping trips from decades ago.
It’s watching another generation learn how to make their first s’more.
Those moments turn three ordinary ingredients into something meaningful.
Celebrate National S’mores Day on August 10
On August 10, take a little time to celebrate National S’mores Day.
Grab a box of graham crackers.
Break open your favorite chocolate.
Fill a bowl with marshmallows.
Gather your family or friends.
If possible, head outside and sit around a safe campfire or backyard fire pit.
Watch the sun go down.
Talk.
Laugh.
Tell stories.
Toast marshmallows.
Make a mess.
And don’t worry if your marshmallow isn’t perfectly golden or your chocolate melts onto your fingers.
That’s part of the experience.
Because National S’mores Day isn’t about creating the world’s most perfect dessert.
It’s about enjoying a simple tradition that has brought people together for generations.
The s’more you eat will be gone in a few bites.
But the memory of the people sitting around the fire with you can last much longer.
So make the most of National S’mores Day on August 10.
Toast a marshmallow.
Melt some chocolate.
Sandwich everything between two graham crackers.
Take that first delicious bite.
And if someone asks whether you’d like another?
There’s really only one appropriate answer:
Yes, please. I want s’more.
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