Some foods come wrapped up in memories. Remember gooey chocolate and graham crackers, charred marshmallows and a hint of grit from ashes, at summer cookouts and fall camp-outs.
Chocolatier and pastry chef Martin Diez, of the internationally known Barry Callebaut company, wants us to make new memories. He's elevated the s’mores of our childhood with his recipes for Luxe Lemon Summer Days S’mores, Caramelized Banana S’mores and Fruity Ruby S’mores.
The use of the fine chocolates will take these versions upscale — or as far upscale as recipes featuring roasted marshmallows and graham crackers can go.
Any chocolates you use will still stir up some tasty memories along with fresh flavors, but the better the chocolate, the better the results.
Luxe Lemon Summer Days S’mores
Lemon curd and toasted marshmallow meet up in this lemon meringue-inspired s’more that Diez makes using caramelized white chocolate between graham crackers.
To make them, place one graham cracker down with the chocolate on top. Add toasted marshmallows over the chocolate, spread lemon curd on top and sandwich with the remaining graham cracker.
They’re like eating sunshine on chocolate.
Caramelized Banana S’mores
Caramelized Banana S’mores
For this one, Diez recommends sandwiching a melty bar of Henna dark chocolate, pieces of caramelized banana and toasted marshmallow between graham crackers. (If you can’t find the brand name, look for any 41% cacao dark chocolate.)
Cut a banana lengthwise and caramelize inside by adding sugar and heating. Place the banana on a graham cracker and layer with dark milk chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
For extra luxury, add a dollop of dulce de leche spread on your other graham cracker before sandwiching together.
Pure indulgence.
Fruity Ruby S’mores
Fruity Ruby S’mores
Have you heard of ruby chocolate? Introduced in 2017, the pink chocolate is slightly sweet and sour, like berries.
This s’more gets extra fruitiness by adding jam into the mix.
Spread black currant jam onto one of the graham crackers and combine the other ingredients.
Consider using an all-fruit, no-sugar-added spread for more fruit taste and less sugar.
Search online for Callebaut chocolates; Chocolove ruby chocolate is available online and at some Whole Foods and World Market stores.