Tuesday, August 23, 2011

S'mores Got Sass




This probably isn't going to shock anyone, but I've never gone camping.  There's no doubt that I'm as city as they get, and outdoorsy is definitely not a word that would ever be used to describe me.
Some people find the calm and quiet of the outdoors relaxing, but it really freaks me out.  See, in my neck of the woods ambulances and fire trucks drive down my street all day long blaring their sirens.  I admit that sometimes it can drive me up a wall, but mostly it's a reminder that I'm smack in the middle of all the action, and that's comforting to me.

My version of the great outdoors!

I do however have my own version of camping that I would like to share with you.  Welcome to city style camping!  It consists of my friends and I camped out at my house watching a Sex and the City marathon.  There's good food, good wine, and a lot of laughs.  Okay there's usually a batch or two of my passion fruitinis as well.  You'll more than likely hear a siren or two, but you definitely won't need any bug spray!  Most importantly no camping trip is complete without s'mores.  There's no campfire involved, but there is a blowtorch and disco dust!  I wanted to make s'mores ice cream sandwiches so I started out making Grand Marnier ice cream.  The ice cream alone is beyond.  Moving on, I made a dark chocolate ganache with Callebaut chocolate, and then tested a few different graham cracker recipes to find the perfect fit.  I layered all my components together using 3" ring molds and popped them in the freezer.  I whipped up a batch of marshmallows and let them dry overnight.  The next day I unmolded my ice cream sandwiches and cut up my marshmallows.  Using a small paint brush I brushed gold disco dust all around the chocolate ganache layer.  So sparkly!  Next I stacked some marshmallows on top and went to town with my blowtorch.  Finally I brushed some more disco dust on the marshmallows because, well it's disco dust and it's me :)  They're sparkly, boozy, messy, and oh so good!


City style camping


Graham Crackers
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup AP flour
  • 1t. baking powder
  • 1/2t. baking soda
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2t. vanilla extract
  1. Whisk together dry ingredients.
  2. Cream butter, sugars, and honey together till light & fluffy.
  3. Alternate adding dries with milk & vanilla.
  4. Form dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
  5. Roll out dough on a well floured surface and cut out rings using a 3" round cutter.
  6. Place on baking sheet and with a fork pierce a few holes in each cookie.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 13 minutes.
Grand Marnier Ice Cream
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups half & half
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 8 egg yolks
  • 1T. vanilla bean paste
  • 5T. Grand Marnier
  1. Bring heavy cream, half & half, and sugar to a simmer.
  2. Whisk yolks and vanilla bean paste together in a bowl and slowly add in hot cream mixture whisking constantly.
  3. Once you whisk about half the cream mixture, transfer everything back into the pot.
  4. Cook over low heat stirring constantly till thickened, about 2 minutes.
  5. Strain and add Grand Marnier.
  6. Refrigerate and process according to manufacturer's directions.
Dark Chocolate Ganache
  • 24 oz. dark chocolate (I used Callebaut)
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  1. Bring heavy cream to a scald.
  2. Pour over chopped chocolate.
  3. Stir till it comes together.
  4. You want the ganache to be at room temp for assembly.
Assembly
  1. I started layering these using 3" ring molds.  If you don't have ring molds, you can use soup cans. 
  2. Graham cracker, ganache, a scoop of ice cream, another round of ganache, and topped with another graham cracker.  Freeze overnight.
  3. For the marshmallows I used my marshmallow recipe and instead of piping them, I spread the marshmallows on a parchment lined sheet pan that I covered in powdered sugar.  I let them set overnight and then I cut them into cubes.  
  4. Once the ice cream sandwiches have set up and your marshmallows are all set it's time to get your sparkle on.  Unmold the ice cream sandwiches and brush the ganache with disco dust.  
  5. Place the marshmallows on top and torch.  
  6. Sprinkle the marshmallows with more disco dust & enjoy.

41 comments:

  1. They are so pretty! I like your kind of camping.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now THAT'S the kind of camping I could dig. FABULOUS s'mores! Buzzed

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice touch with that Grand Marnier ice cream-these look amazing! Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is the kind of camping I would be down with...on top of the Sex and the City (favorite show of all time).

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is so my kind of a camping trip! Love these S'mores!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The recipe is delicious as everything you did up to now! The presentation is perfect!! Very nice photograph!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What neat looking s'mores! Very cute and girly. I love it! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like your way of camping! :) The s'mores look so pretty!! *drool* I need to try this soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I LOVE a sassified s'more! I'm with you! Give me a great luxury hotel anyday! How wonderful that you made each of the ingredients for these s'mores! Especially that grand marnier ice cream! : )

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have to admit your S'mores get my vote for the cute factor, but there is nothing like eating them around a campfire while gazing up at the starry sky above. Especially when a kid tries and hand you when when it is engulfed in flames. Love the ice cream flavor though, these do look tempting.
    -Gina-

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like this city camping idea, I am not an outdoors type of girl myself! I love the delicious goodies you have made here as well, love the smores with ice cream instead of marshmallows yum!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Prettiest smores ever! Love that they've been citified!

    ReplyDelete
  13. These sound so good and they are so beautiful, love it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sass AND pizazz! :D And confession... I've never been camping either!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Girl, that is my type of camping! These are amazing-- so so pretty! That sounds like the perfect, fun weekend-- I know you all had a blast!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am shocked you have never been camping! These smore's look so Sarah Jessica Parker and I can't fault you at all for indulging in your form of camping, heck I would swap the no showers for days for some SITC reruns anyday especially if this is the treats on offer..
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  17. If I ever go camping I'm going to insist I get to bring these! You have created another shimmering masterpiece!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Now that is my kind of camping - such elegant s-mores. I LOVE the sparkly disco dust!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Callebaut chocolate! Grand Marnier ice cream! Marshmallows made from scratch! (Not to mention the disco dust) Dahling, these are marvellous *Air kisses*

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love your version of camping. I'm more of an indoor girl, myself.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I highly approve of your version of camping AND of your disco s'mores! SO fun!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is my kinda smore! They look great!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous8/25/2011

    Love, love, love it!!!!! I like your style of camping. What a great idea, and your disco dust.....no words! But just out of curiosity...what is disco dust? I need some in my life!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am totally behind this version of camping. Incredible job on these S'mores. I so could go for a bite.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow! I definitely like your kind of camping! These look fantastic : )

    ReplyDelete
  26. You had me at "blowtorch and disco dust" and these smores seriously do have more sass than a measly smore cooked on a campfire. I'm all for NY urban camping! Congrats on the top 9 as well!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I want to go "camping" with you and have these over the top S'mores. i love the shimmery disco dust. Did you go camping in your heels?

    Congrats on the Top 9 today!

    ReplyDelete
  28. wowww there, this is ingenious :) i wouldnt mind coming camping with you if these little gems were going to come with :D

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love your view:)) I like idea of camping, but hate those tents:/ Love your s'mores,they look very delicious, funky and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Holy delicious.. these are gorgeous and sounds absolutely fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Congrats on getting into the top 9 on Foodbuzz!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Super Glamourous and sassy for sure. Congratulations on Top 9!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Appreciate your city style camping & beautiful post! Well deserved Top 9!

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a wonderful looking smores!!! The gold dust makes them real hot n sassy, just the way I like....Yummm..........

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love the disco dust! so pretty. I love how you "just whipped up a batch of marshmallows" you make it sound so easy. :) thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks to everyone for your kind words! So glad you are all enjoying my style of camping!!

    @momdecuisine - Disco dust is edible glitter & it comes in a variety of fabulous colors!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love camping, but this city-camping seems lovely, too :) I'm not a big fan of "Sex and the city" (I prefer other tv series), but for these s'mores (and until a month ago I never heard about s'mores) I could make an exception :D

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous8/28/2011

    You are my kind of camper! I love these! My hubby and I used to do a similar type of camping...we'd drag the mattress into the living room and get a bunch of videos. Jammies and a cooler with snacks, nap when you need it. A movie marathon camp out! Thanks for bring back such a great memory!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I like your camping style! I've never made home baked graham crackers before. These Smores are perfection!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Those are some really extraordinary looking s'mores! Your style of camping sounds absolutely wonderful.

    http://chicgeekery.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete