Gourmet S'mores

I've mentioned Tastespotting a few times on this blog.  It's an amazing site, and it's been the inspiration for several of my recipes.  I've submitted a few of my pictures/recipes there, and I've even had a few accepted.  For every one that's been accepted though, I've had at least two or three rejected.  Sometimes the reason they give is fairly clear, and others it's pretty vague ("lighting" for example).  Fairly recently, a new site came into existence for people like me, who think they've taken a pretty decent picture or just want to share their post with other people but they got rejected from Tastespotting.  This site is called Tastestopping.  It's a fun site, very tongue-in-cheek, and I've had a couple of entries posted there as well. 

A few weeks ago, Tastestopping did a contest in conjunction with RegionalBest.com.  The prize was a gourmet s'mores kit, and I was one of ten winners.  The kit contained three items:

• Middlebury Maple Crackers from Castleton Crackers
• Fresh Vanilla Marshmallows from kitchen witch (also the founder of Tastestopping)
• Milk Chocolate Puddles from Grocer's Daughter Chocolate

After shipping the prize, Casey from Tastestopping asked the winners if we'd mind making a post about it, preferably with a picture, to share with other people and help show what people did with their prizes.  I couldn't complain about making s'mores, but of course I don't have a campfire in my front yard either.  I decided to try the quickest and easiest solution: the broiler in the oven.  The result was probably the best s'mores I've ever had in my life.  The marshmallows especially were amazing (and I'm not just saying that because they're from Casey), and the maple crackers were a nice change of pace from regular graham crackers.  I'd love to make these over a campfire someday, but it's also nice knowing that I can make them in my oven any time I want in just a few minutes.

Gourmet S'mores

Ingredients:

• Maple crackers
• Fresh vanilla marshmallows
• Milk chocolate puddles

Directions:

1. Move an oven rack to the top of the oven, but make sure you have enough clearance so the marshmallows won't hit the broiler element.
2. Place a few crackers on a foil-covered cookie sheet.  Place a marshmallow on top of each cracker.
3. Put the crackers and marshmallows in the oven on broil for 1-3 minutes, watching carefully to make sure the marshmallows don't burn more than you want them too.
4. Remove from oven and place chocolate puddles on top of the marshmallows.  Serve and enjoy!

Notes:
If the chocolate doesn't melt as much as you want, you can put them back under the broiler for 10-20 seconds to nicely melt the chocolate on top. 

Check out what some of the other contest winners did with their Gourmet S'mores kits:

Update:  I submitted the picture for this to both Tastespotting and Foodgawker.  Tastespotting approved it in almost record time, and Foodgawker rejected it with the comment, "Primary reason: Dull/unsharp when reduced in size."

Comments

[Casey]

Thank you so much for this lovely review of your Gourmet S'mores Kit from RegionalBest.com. When I brought the chocolate, marshmallows and maple crackers to Camp Blogaway, I think we were all intrigued by how these layers would play together. And, like you, we thought the result was delicious. These s'mores are more flavorful, yet less sweet than ordinary s'mores, and I believe they do deserve the label "gourmet!"

Congratulations on winning a kit and thanks again for joining the TasteStopping S'mores Tasting Party!

Best,
Casey

[Susan]

I love how the chocolate puddles look melted on top of the marshmallow. Makes me want to eat one right now!

[SKK]

Poor composition, not sharp enough, bad crop ...

Oh, who am I kidding? YUM!

[megan]

O-gawd, how I wish I had more! But I feel so lucky we got to try them in the first place! And i feel your pain w/good old Tastespotting and foodgawker.