Food & Wine // 3 min Read

Crafting the Perfect S’more

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Feb 20, 2020

There’s an appropriate sweetness to the humble origins of the s’more. While Frank Epperson and Ruth Graves Wakefield have been deified for birthing the Popsicle and the chocolate chip cookie, respectively, the name of the culinary genius who first sandwiched marshmallow and chocolate together between graham crackers has been lost to history like smoke drifting from a campfire.

The closest we have is a recipe by Loretta Scott Crew in a 1927 guide for Girl Scouts called Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. But even then, it was already considered a time-tested staple of campouts. It’s one of those creations that sprung up organically, its recipe passed from campfire to campfire as people came together in the shared bonds of nature.

Like its humble origins, the s’more exults in a sort of celebration of simplicity. Try new flavors, introduce gourmet ingredients, do what you want with it.

But you can’t beat the classics.

“The average recipe works just fine. We can’t change it up that much,” said David Sampson, executive pastry chef for Montage Palmetto Bluff. He and his team are tasked with stocking the resort’s iconic s’mores cart, a three-wheeled Dutch delivery bike converted into a cornucopia of sugary treats. From its crocks and coolers, you can craft your own spin on the s’more with marshmallows from mint to caramel and chocolate plaques in both milk and dark. “We’ll put out a few elevated ingredients, but we always have to keep the classic Jet-Puffed, Hershey’s, and Nabisco graham crackers. We do that for the nostalgia.”

While you won’t find them on the s’mores cart, the Montage house-made marshmallows are renowned. Specialty flavors from bourbon to peach can be found on the resort’s desserts, each meticulously crafted from sugar, gelatin, salt, and vanilla. Whipped to a sublime puffiness” (“It does get a little messy,” Sampson said.), each marshmallow is dusted with powdered sugar and cut by hand. However, they’ve found that what works on a plate doesn’t necessarily work over a fire. Bourbon marshmallows tend to be a bit more flammable than their nonalcoholic counterparts, after all.“We have to watch out. Some things caramelize well, and some things do not,” Sampson said.

And caramelization is key. The trick to a perfect marshmallow, experts will tell you, is to find that sweet spot in a fi re’s life span when the smoke has slowed to a wisp and the logs have charred down to burning embers an electric shade of orange. Even the original Girl Scout recipe informs you to toast your marshmallows “over the coals to a crisp gooey state.” From there, it’s about patience.

“I like mine a nice golden brown. It takes time,” Sampson said.

If you’re not the patient type, there is another way. Proving that even the unchanging s’more isn’t immune to innovation, I’ve found that you can get a quicker melt using convection rather than the conventional heat found at the base of the fire. Look toward the top of the logs for a flame that’s swirling rapidly, a good sign of rising heat stoking flames at the top of the woodpile, and get your marshmallow a good 2 to 3 inches above that highest lick of the flame. When done right, the marshmallow won’t toast, but it will cling easier to the stick since the inside doesn’t entirely melt. The outside, however, will render to an irresistible creamy goo.

Maybe this new method will catch on, and maybe it won’t. I’m betting it won’t. After all, the recipe has remained unchanged for nearly a century. Elevate its ingredients, introduce new methods, and all you’re doing is creating minor variations. The s’more itself remains unchanged and universal, like the sweet childhood memories it evokes.

Photography by: Michael Hrizuk

Food & Wine / Fall Recipes From Buffalos

Your Pine-ness Cocktail Recipe Before delving into the ingredients and recipe for Buffalos’ delectable Ricotta Meatballs and Sauce, it is imperative that the chef has an excellent cocktail for cooking. Pairing the sweetness of pineapple with the woody flavo...

Sep 2023
palmetto bluff neighborhoods

Real Estate / Waterfront Neighborhoods in Palmetto Bluff

Coastal Palmetto Bluff Neighborhoods Palmetto Bluff, a private community nestled along the South Carolina coastline, presents a harmonious blend of luxurious living, recreational spaces, and a vibrant atmosphere. The meticulously designed Palmetto Bluff neigh...

Sep 2023
wilson landing

Waterways / Behind the Bluff with Marina Captain: Thomas Shanahan

Meet Captain Tom of Palmetto Bluff’s Wilson Landing  In the tranquil embrace of Bluffton's Lowcountry, where rivers wind their way through nature's masterpiece, an extraordinary tale unfolds at Wilson Landing of Palmetto Bluff. The story belongs to Captain Th...

Sep 2023
luxury kitchen design

Architecture & Design / Designing the Southern Kitchen of Your Dreams

Your Guide to a Luxury Kitchen Design The kitchen has long been the heart of the home, where cherished memories are cooked up and shared. When it comes to Lowcountry living, a well-designed kitchen is not just a place to prepare meals but a space that encapsu...

Sep 2023
summer bucket list

Culture / Summer Activities to Check Off Your List Before the Fall

10 Activities You Have to Cross Off Your Summer Bucket List While the days are long and the sun hangs high in the sky, summer offers a golden opportunity to create lasting memories and partake in a variety of thrilling activities. Before the cooler breeze of ...

Sep 2023

Conservation / Water Way

Palmetto Bluff is an ecological wonderland, with its maritime forest and tidal rivers, its salt marsh and abundant wildlife. But perhaps one of the most unique features of this wedge of Lowcountry is the impressive inland waterway that wends through the landsc...

Aug 2023

Artist in Residence / Places Around Palmetto Bluff to Paint Plein Air

Plein Air Painting and Our August Artist in Residence Palmetto Bluff is a paradise for art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike with its breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and serene atmosphere. With that being said, the Bluff is the perfect canvas f...

Aug 2023
coastal living

Waterways / Experience Health and Happiness By Living on the Coast

5 Health Benefits of Coastal Living Did you know that life by the coast is not only the most idyllic way to live, but it also improves your health? All in all, coastal living is a rejuvenating experience for the mind, body, and soul. From the cool, salty bree...

Aug 2023
south carolina lowcountry

Culture / 9 Enticing Facts About the Lowcountry

Discover the Charm of the South Carolina Lowcountry Where history and nature intertwine with effortless grace, the South Carolina Lowcountry is a region that allures visitors and residents alike with its timeless beauty, enchanting landscapes, and diverse cul...

Aug 2023

Conservation / Behind the Bluff with Palmetto Bluff Conservancy Educator: Aaron Palmieri

Aaron’s Journey to the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy   In the heart of the Lowcountry, where lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems flourish, lies a hidden gem known as Palmetto Bluff. This breathtaking sanctuary serves as a haven for an array of wildlife, offer...

Aug 2023
LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us