GIVE ME S'MORE

My younger brother and his family recently visited from Alabama. Their 5-year old son, Gavin, who happens to be a picky eater shyly shared with me one evening that he liked marshmallows. 

I immediately shot back, "Then you must like s'mores!" 

After a long silence he said, "I don't know what that is." 

"Well," I said, "you like marshmallows, right? What about chocolate?" 

"Yes." 

"How about graham crackers?" 

"Yes."

"Then you definitely like s'mores."

"What did you say?" he asked softly. This is his way of saying he doesn't understand.

"A S'more," I explained, "is melted marshmallow and piece of chocolate squeezed between two squares of graham crackers."

"But I never had that."

"You've never had s'mores!" I exclaimed in mock horror. "Have you ever been camping?"

"No," he replied, his big blue eyes tearing up. 

"Then we'll have to make our own pretend campfire and get the fixings for s'mores. Do you know why they call them s'mores?"

Gavin shook his head no.

"Because after you have one you always ask, 'Can I have s'more?'"

That got a smile out of him.

I mean, really, what kid doesn't like s'mores? I found this brilliant variation on the classic at How Sweet It Is. S'mores and pie... need I say more?

S'more Pie

crust:

1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 1/4 sticks butter, melted

chocolate filling:

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup milk

10 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, room temperature

topping:

1 bag of marshmallows

1. Preheat oven to 325º F.
2. For crust: Add melted butter and graham cracker crumbs together until a crust forms. Press into a 9-inch pie plate. Set aside.
3. For filling: Combine milk and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Watch carefully and once it begins to simmer, remove from heat and add in chocolate. Stir with a spatula until chocolate is melted and smooth, then whisk in sugar and salt. 
4. In separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Slowly add eggs to chocolate mixture while whisking.
5. Pour chocolate filling into the graham crusted pie plate. Bake filling for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate is set and its surface glossy. If you see any bubbles or cracks forming on the surface, immediately remove it from the oven as it means it is beginning to become over baked.
6. Top pie with as many marshmallows as will fit. Place under broiler for about 2 minutes or until marshmallows are golden. 
7. Let cool then place in fridge for 1 to 2 hours before cutting. Spray a knife with non-stick spray before each slice, otherwise just spoon out and eat. 

ph via how sweet it is