“S’more” (or “some-more”) is a popular Girl Scout dish of toasted marshmallows and chocolate sandwiches between two graham crackers.
“Kabobs and Some-more, two favorite scout dishes, over the camp fire” was printed in the La Crosse (WI) Tribune and Leader-Press on July 12, 1925. “... and ‘s’more,’ a favorite Girl Scout dessert, comprising Graham crackers, chocolate bars and toasted marshmallows” was printed in the Joplin (MO) Globe on November 1, 1928.
Wikipedia: S’more
A s’more is a traditional nighttime campfire treat popular in the United States and Canada, consisting of a roasted marshmallow and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker.
Etymology and origins
S’more appears to be a contraction of the phrase, “some more”. While the origin of the dessert is unclear, the first recorded version of the recipe can be found in the publication “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” of 1927. No one really knows if the Girl Scouts were the first to make and enjoy s’mores, but there appears to be no earlier claim to this snack. Although it is unknown when the name was shortened, recipes for “Some Mores” are in various Girl Scout publications until at least 1971.
Preparation
S’mores are associated with recreational camping. Part of the enjoyment of this simple dessert is the way in which it is made on such camping trips. A marshmallow is skewered on the end of a long stick (or metallic skewer) and held just above a campfire until its outer surface starts to brown. Once heated, the inside of the marshmallow becomes soft or molten. The marshmallow is quickly pinched off its stick with the waiting graham crackers, one of which has a piece of chocolate on it. Ideally, the heat from the roasted marshmallow partially melts the chocolate. However, some people assemble the entire s’more on the stick and cook it all at once to ensure that the chocolate will melt. Peanut butter can be added to the mix for additional flavor, either between a graham cracker and the chocolate piece or between the chocolate piece and the marshmallow. Keeping the graham crackers and chocolate near the campfire can help melt the chocolate.
Making s’mores in this manner is so popular in the United States that supermarkets often carry graham crackers, marshmallows, and large chocolate bars in the same shelf section during the summer months. In recent years S’More Kits for assembly on the kitchen table at home have been sold at housewares stores. These consist of a small heating element to cook the marshmallow, metal skewers and a lazy susan to hold the raw ingredients. These are similar to fondue sets. Different items sold as s’mores may be found in restaurants, prepared at home, or even bought ready-made. These confections usually contain the three ingredients of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow, but they are not necessarily heated or served in the same shape as the traditional s’more.
The popularity of s’mores has led to the flavor being used in product development of other foodstuffs; Pop-Tarts now feature a s’mores variety that has a graham cracker crust, chocolate icing, and chocolate & marshmallow-flavored filling.
An alternative method for preparing the s’more is by heating the entire object in the microwave. Advantages of this method include the speed, relative ease of preparation, and the increased amount of melted chocolate. This method softens the graham cracker, which is distasteful to some. This method often removes the social element of preparation, which causes some to shy away from it.
(Oxford English Dictionary)
some more, n.
N. Amer.
[< SOME a.1 + MORE n.3]
A dessert or snack consisting of toasted marshmallows and chocolate between graham crackers; = S’MORE n.2
1927 Tramping & Trailing with Girl Scouts vii. 68 ‘Some More’..16 graham crackers 8 bars plain chocolate..16 marshmallows… Though it tastes like ‘some more’ one is really enough.
1951 Landmark (Statesville, N. Carolina) 31 May 8/7 The Scouts slept in bedrolls and pup tents on the ground. For supper they cooked American chop-suey and had ‘some-mores’ for dessert.
s’more, n.
Forms: 19- s’more, smore. [Representing rapid pronunciation of SOME MORE n.]
A dessert or snack consisting of toasted marshmallows and chocolate sandwiched between graham crackers, typically served outdoors, with the marshmallows toasted over coals or a campfire. Chiefly in pl.
1934 G. SNYDER & C. F. LOOMIS Outdoor Bk. 96 Heavenly crisp (Also known as S’mores)... Toast two marshmallows over the coals to a crisp, gooey state and then put them inside a graham cracker and chocolate bar sandwich.
1973 Le Mars (Iowa) Sentinel 17 Aug. 2/3 Black roasted marshmallows, freshly cooked popcorn, sticky smores and syrupy sweet banana boats. I can taste them all and each carries with it the memory of a remote campsite.
Google News Archive
1 July 1923, The Journal of Agriculture and Horticulture, “Jellies and their Value in the Home” by Grace Burden Carleton, pg. 24, col. 3:
Graham Cracker Dainties
Put together graham crackers with odds and bits of left-over cake icing, toasted marshmallows, or marshmallow creme. Add a spoonful of jelly to the top and serve.
Newspapers.com
12 July 1925, La Crosse (WI) Tribune and Leader-Press, “Camp Life of Much Profit to Girl Scouts,” pg. 5, col. 1:
When the treasure was found pirates and hunter prepared themselves a feast of Kabobs and Some-more, two favorite scout dishes, over the camp fire.
Newspapers.com
16 August 1925, The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN), “News From Kamp Kiwani at Hardy,” sec. 3, pg. 7, col. 1:
They had sis-ka-bob and some-mores. (...) It consists of placing half a bar of chocolate between two graham crackers and putting next to the chocolate two toasted marshmallows. The hot marshmallows melt the chocolate—why go further?
Google News Archive
9 September 1925, Norwalk (CT) Hour, pg. 5, col. 2:
PATROL LEADERS
HAVE OUTING
Fall Plans Discussed And
“Camp Andree Dishes”
Introduced.
Fall activities of the Girl Scout troops have commenced.
(...)
At the supper, two Camp Andree “dishes”—“Kabobs” and “Some-mores”—were introduced. For “Kabobs,” steak is cut into small dices. A dice is put on a long stick, a piece of bacon follow then a slice of onion, then another slice of steak, more bacon and onion, until five inches on the steak are covered. it is roasted over an open fire for twenty minutes and then sandwiched in well- buttered rolls. “Some-mores” consist of a graham cracker on which is placed a piece of Hershey chocolate, a toasted marshmallow, another piece of chocolate and a graham cracker.
These two “dishes” were enjoyed thoroughly by the patrol leaders.
29 November 1925, San Diego (CA) Union, “San Diego’s Girl Scouts” by Julia T. McGarvey, sec. XS, pg. 8, col. 5:
Miss Nellie Livingston, Miss Sarah Crosby, and Miss Alvina Suhl, passed their tenderfoot tests with flying colors at training class last Monday night, and by way of celebrating, ate “somemores” made over the office stove in lieu of the customary campfire.
15 August 1926, Springfield (MA) Republican, “Girl Scouts Activities,” pg. 10F, col. 8:
Cocoa and graham crackers with a chocolate bar between and a toasted marshmallow on top were then served.
16 February 1927, The Klamath News (Klamath Falls, OR), pg. 6, col. 1:
Graham Cracker Sandwich
Place a thin layer of sweet chocolate on a graham cracker, then a toasted marshmallow. Cover with another graham cracker. Good for boy scouts and girl scouts, to be made around an open fire.
27 March 1927, Seattle (WA) Daily Times, pg. 9, col. 3:
“Slay Weenie,” Girls’ Motto
“Angels on Horses,” Instead
(...)
Cooking over an open fire, the girls prepared an “ideal” meal, the menu of which consisted of “Gypsy Stew,” “Dormel,” “Angels on Horseback” and “Yummies” for dessert.
(...)
To top off the meal, the Camp Fire menu calls for “Yummies”—a sandwich consisting of two graham crackers, one-half of a chocolate bar and toasted marshmallows. In cooking the girls use an open fire, with a pot supported on sticks driven into the ground.
18 August 1927, The Jersey Journal (Jersey City, NJ), “Girl Scout Camp Notes,” pg 17, col. 2:
Then everyone gathered around the campfire to make “coomymores” which consist of a chocolate sandwich with a toasted marshmallow filling.
17 August 1928, Charleston (SC) Evening Post, “Troop Activities,” pg. 1-B, col. 4:
“Somemore”
8 sticks
16 graham crackers, 1-2 half of box
4 Hershey bars (plain)
16 marshmallows
Toast the marshmallows until they are pale brown and “gooey.” Then make a sandwich of two crackers and half a chocolate bar and put marshmallows in between. Good!
Newspapers.com
1 November 1928, Joplin (MO) Globe, “2 New Girl Scout Troops Organized,” pg. 3, col. 1:
... and “s’more,” a favorite Girl Scout dessert, comprising Graham crackers, chocolate bars and toasted marshmallows.
5 August 1929, New Castle (PA) News, “Girl Scouts,” pg. 22, col. 6:
On returning from the last, a camp fire was built, marshmallows were toasted, “some-mores” were made, stories were told and songs sung.
Google Books
The Young Woman’s Journal
v. 40 - 1929
Pg. 336:
“Somemores”
2 graham crackers.
1 marshmallow (toasted).
1 slice of a soft chocolate bar.
Put the toasted marshmallow and slice of the soft chocolate bar…
Google News Archive
22 April 1930, Berkeley (CA) Daily Gazette, “Campfire Girls to Hold Doughnut Sale,” pg. 7, col. 3:
After the evening meals, Campfire songs were sung, marshmallows were toasted over the glowing coals, and “heavenly crisp” was made.
5 April 1931, Albuquerque (NM) Journal, “Camp Fire Girls,” pg. 8, col. 7:
Then “Heavenly Crisp” as a dessert:
16 Graham crackers
16 marshmallows
8 bars of plain chocolate
Toast two marshmallows over the coals to a crisp, gooey state and then put them inside a Graham cracker and chocolate bar sandwich. The heat of the marshmallows between the halves of the chocolate bar will melt the chocolate just enough and the graham crackers on the outside are nice to hold on to as well as tasty. Though it tastes like “some more,” one is really enough.
Google News Archive
24 May 1931, Pittsburgh (PA) Press, ‘Girl Scouts Become Skillful In Preparing Outdoor Meals,” Society section, pg. 5, col. 4:
Some-mores are made up of graham crackers between which are sandwiched toasted marshmallows and chocolate bars.
The Outdoor Book
By Gladys Snyder and C. Frances Loomis
Book Number Eight of the Library of the Seven Crafts of the Camp Fire Girls
New York, NY: Camp Fire Outfitting Company
1934
Pg. 96:
HEAVENLY CRISP
(Also known as “S’mores”)
8 bars of plain chocolate
(Hershey’s or any of the good plain brands of chocolate)
16 graham crackers
16 marshmallows
Toast two marshmallows over the coals to a crisp, gooey state and then put them inside a graham cracker and chocolate bar sandwich. The heat of the marshmallow between the halves of chocolate bar will melt the chocolate just enough, and the graham crackers on the outside are nice to hold on to, as well as tasty. Though it tastes like “some more,” one is really enough.
3 October 1935, Uniontown (PA) Morning Herald, “Girl Scout Troop Holds Meeting,” pg. 7, col. 2:
Also pickles, potato chips, apples, and some-mores (Graham crackers. Hershey chocolate, and toasted marshmallows).
Google Books
R.S.V.P.: a book of parties
By Toni Taylor
New York, NY: Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
1937
Pg. 70:
Smores
*A delectable concoction made by melting a section of sweet chocolate between two marshmallows, and then putting this between two graham crackers. It gets its name because it tastes like “smore.”
Google Books
Recreational Programs for Summer Camps
By Henry William Gibson
New York, NY: Greenberg
1938
Pg. 17:
S’mores. Place a square of milk chocolate on a graham cracker. Toast a marshmallow and put on top of the chocolate, then a second graham cracker on top of ...
Google Books
It’s Fun to Cook
By Lucy Mary Maltby
Philadelphia, PA: John C. Winston Co.
1938
Pg. 134:
Dan Curtis passed out the long toasting sticks again when the crowd was ready to roast marshmallows for the Perfection Crisps. Blondie said she had heard them called “S’mores.”