Introduction
Craving the nostalgic taste of s’mores but want a fun, oven-baked twist? Smookies (Ooey Gooey Campfire Cookies) combine the classic campfire treat with chocolate chip cookie dough for a decadent, gooey dessert. Layered with graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate, marshmallows, and topped with cookie dough, these treats are perfect for parties, sleepovers, or cozy nights in. No campfire needed—just an oven and a sweet tooth! Ready to indulge in this ultimate s’mores-cookie hybrid? Let’s get baking!
Overview: Why Smookies Are Special
Smookies elevate traditional s’mores by sandwiching graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows under a layer of chocolate chip cookie dough, baked to golden perfection. The result is a warm, melty, crunchy, and chewy treat that captures the essence of a campfire dessert. They’re easy to make with store-bought ingredients, customizable, and ideal for sharing. Whether you prefer them soft-baked or crispy, these cookies bring s’mores magic indoors.
- Time Requirement: About 15 minutes prep, 16-19 minutes baking per batch (2 batches for 16 smookies).
- Difficulty Level: Easy. Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Why It’s Special: Smookies blend the textures and flavors of s’mores with the comfort of cookies. They’re fun to assemble, kid-friendly, and perfect for any occasion.
Whether you’re hosting a game night or craving a sweet treat, Smookies are sure to delight everyone.
Essential Ingredients
Smookies use classic s’mores ingredients plus cookie dough for a rich, layered dessert. Here’s what you need and why each one matters:
- Refrigerated Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (30 oz roll): Provides a sweet, chewy topping packed with chocolate chips, saving prep time.
- Graham Crackers (8 sheets, broken in half to make 16 halves): Adds the signature crunchy base of s’mores.
- Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars (8 bars, 1.55 oz each, cut in half): Melts into gooey, creamy chocolate, iconic for s’mores.
- Marshmallows (16, halved): Creates the sticky, toasty layer that defines s’mores.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cookie Dough: Use homemade chocolate chip cookie dough or other flavors like peanut butter or sugar cookie. Ensure it’s enough for 16 portions.
- Graham Crackers: Swap for cinnamon graham crackers, digestive biscuits, or shortbread cookies for a different crunch.
- Chocolate: Replace Hershey’s with dark chocolate, white chocolate, or chocolate chips (about 2 tablespoons per smookie).
- Marshmallows: Use mini marshmallows (about 8-10 per smookie) or marshmallow fluff for a spreadable layer.
- Add-Ins: Drizzle with caramel, sprinkle with sea salt, or add crushed pretzels for extra flavor.
Pro Tip: Let the cookie dough soften slightly at room temperature for easier slicing, and use a sharp knife for clean cuts.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making Smookies is a breeze with a few simple steps. Follow these instructions for perfect ooey-gooey cookies:
- Preheat and Prep:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Tip: Parchment ensures easy cleanup and even baking.
- Prepare Ingredients:
- Slice a 30 oz roll of refrigerated Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie dough into 1/2-inch thick rounds, aiming for 16 rounds.
- Break 8 graham cracker sheets in half to make 16 halves.
- Cut 8 Hershey’s milk chocolate bars (1.55 oz each) in half to make 16 pieces.
- Halve 16 marshmallows crosswise to make 32 halves.
- Tip: Use a serrated knife for clean cuts on marshmallows and chocolate.
- Assemble Smookies:
- Place 6-8 graham cracker halves on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them (bake in two batches if needed).
- Top each graham cracker with a half Hershey’s chocolate bar.
- Place two marshmallow halves, cut side down, on top of each chocolate bar.
- Cover each stack with a cookie dough round, gently pressing to secure but not flatten.
- Tip: Space smookies 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake:
- Bake for 16-19 minutes: 16-17 minutes for soft-baked, gooey smookies or 18-19 minutes for crispier edges.
- The cookie tops should be golden, and marshmallows may ooze slightly.
- Tip: Check at 16 minutes to avoid overbaking; ovens vary.
- Cool and Repeat:
- Let the first batch cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients for the second batch.
- Tip: Reuse the parchment if clean, or replace for the second batch.
- Serve:
- Serve smookies warm for maximum gooeyness, or let cool for a firmer texture (makes 16 smookies).
- Tip: Reheat cooled smookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a fresh-baked feel.
Cooking Tips:
- Even Slicing: Mark the cookie dough roll lightly to ensure 16 equal rounds.
- Prevent Oozing: Place marshmallows cut side down to minimize sticking to the cookie dough.
- Cool Slightly: Let smookies rest briefly to set, making them easier to transfer without breaking.
Assembly: Serving Your Smookies
Serving Smookies is all about highlighting their warm, gooey, campfire-inspired charm:
- Serve Warm:
- Arrange smookies on a platter or serve individually on small plates, ideally while still warm (makes 16 servings).
- Tip: Serve with napkins—these are delightfully messy!
- Presentation Tips:
- Garnish with a drizzle of melted chocolate, caramel, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
- Stack on a rustic wooden board with extra marshmallows and chocolate pieces for a campfire vibe.
- Serve in paper liners or cupcake wrappers for easy party handling.
- Serving Ideas:
- Pair with milk, hot chocolate, or coffee for a cozy dessert experience.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a s’mores sundae twist.
- For parties, offer alongside other treats like brownies or fruit skewers for a dessert buffet.
- Portioning:
- Allow 1-2 smookies per person as a dessert or 1 as a snack.
- Halve the recipe for smaller groups, using half the ingredients to make 8 smookies.
Pro Tip: Serve with a scoop of ice cream on the side for a warm-cold contrast that elevates the experience.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Smookies are best fresh but can be stored or prepped ahead:
- Storage:
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days; they’ll soften but remain tasty.
- Fridge: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Freezer: Freeze baked smookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat.
- Reheating:
- Microwave: Heat for 10-15 seconds to restore gooeyness.
- Oven: Reheat at 350°F for 5-7 minutes on a baking sheet.
- Tip: Add a fresh marshmallow half before reheating for extra gooeyness.
- Make-Ahead:
- Prep ingredients (cut chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers) a day ahead and store separately.
- Assemble smookies up to 2 hours before baking; cover and refrigerate, then bake as directed.
- Freeze unbaked cookie dough rounds for future use; thaw slightly before assembling.
- Tip: Bake fresh for the best texture, as marshmallows harden over time.
Pro Tip: Refresh stored smookies with a quick microwave zap and a sprinkle of sea salt for a gourmet touch.
Recipe Variations
Make Smookies your own with these fun twists:
- Peanut Butter Smookies: Use peanut butter cookie dough or spread 1 teaspoon peanut butter under the chocolate layer.
- Salted Caramel Smookies: Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with sea salt after baking.
- Dark Chocolate Smookies: Swap Hershey’s milk chocolate for dark chocolate bars or chunks.
- S’mores Brownie Smookies: Replace cookie dough with brownie batter for a fudgy twist (bake 20-22 minutes).
- Gluten-Free Smookies: Use gluten-free cookie dough and gluten-free graham crackers.
Healthier Twist:
- Use reduced-sugar cookie dough or homemade dough with less sugar.
- Swap milk chocolate for dark chocolate with higher cocoa content.
- Use whole-grain graham crackers for added fiber.
Conclusion
Smookies (Ooey Gooey Campfire Cookies) are a fun, decadent dessert that brings the joy of s’mores into your oven. With layers of graham crackers, melty chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and chocolate chip cookie dough, they’re a perfect blend of textures and flavors. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, they’re ideal for parties, family treats, or anytime you crave a campfire vibe. Try different doughs, chocolates, or toppings to make them your own, and pair with your favorite drinks or ice cream. Grab your baking sheet and let’s make smookies that’ll have everyone asking for s’more! What’s your favorite way to enjoy these campfire cookies?
Print
Smookies (Ooey Gooey Campfire Cookies)
Description
Craving the nostalgic taste of s’mores but want a fun, oven-baked twist? Smookies (Ooey Gooey Campfire Cookies) combine the classic campfire treat with chocolate chip cookie dough for a decadent, gooey dessert.
Ingredients
Smookies use classic s’mores ingredients plus cookie dough for a rich, layered dessert. Here’s what you need and why each one matters:
- Refrigerated Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (30 oz roll): Provides a sweet, chewy topping packed with chocolate chips, saving prep time.
- Graham Crackers (8 sheets, broken in half to make 16 halves): Adds the signature crunchy base of s’mores.
- Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars (8 bars, 1.55 oz each, cut in half): Melts into gooey, creamy chocolate, iconic for s’mores.
- Marshmallows (16, halved): Creates the sticky, toasty layer that defines s’mores.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cookie Dough: Use homemade chocolate chip cookie dough or other flavors like peanut butter or sugar cookie. Ensure it’s enough for 16 portions.
- Graham Crackers: Swap for cinnamon graham crackers, digestive biscuits, or shortbread cookies for a different crunch.
- Chocolate: Replace Hershey’s with dark chocolate, white chocolate, or chocolate chips (about 2 tablespoons per smookie).
- Marshmallows: Use mini marshmallows (about 8-10 per smookie) or marshmallow fluff for a spreadable layer.
- Add-Ins: Drizzle with caramel, sprinkle with sea salt, or add crushed pretzels for extra flavor.
Pro Tip: Let the cookie dough soften slightly at room temperature for easier slicing, and use a sharp knife for clean cuts.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Tip: Parchment ensures easy cleanup and even baking.
- Prepare Ingredients:
- Slice a 30 oz roll of refrigerated Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie dough into 1/2-inch thick rounds, aiming for 16 rounds.
- Break 8 graham cracker sheets in half to make 16 halves.
- Cut 8 Hershey’s milk chocolate bars (1.55 oz each) in half to make 16 pieces.
- Halve 16 marshmallows crosswise to make 32 halves.
- Tip: Use a serrated knife for clean cuts on marshmallows and chocolate.
- Assemble Smookies:
- Place 6-8 graham cracker halves on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them (bake in two batches if needed).
- Top each graham cracker with a half Hershey’s chocolate bar.
- Place two marshmallow halves, cut side down, on top of each chocolate bar.
- Cover each stack with a cookie dough round, gently pressing to secure but not flatten.
- Tip: Space smookies 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake:
- Bake for 16-19 minutes: 16-17 minutes for soft-baked, gooey smookies or 18-19 minutes for crispier edges.
- The cookie tops should be golden, and marshmallows may ooze slightly.
- Tip: Check at 16 minutes to avoid overbaking; ovens vary.
- Cool and Repeat:
- Let the first batch cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients for the second batch.
- Tip: Reuse the parchment if clean, or replace for the second batch.
- Serve:
- Serve smookies warm for maximum gooeyness, or let cool for a firmer texture (makes 16 smookies).
- Tip: Reheat cooled smookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a fresh-baked feel.
Cooking Tips:
- Even Slicing: Mark the cookie dough roll lightly to ensure 16 equal rounds.
- Prevent Oozing: Place marshmallows cut side down to minimize sticking to the cookie dough.
- Cool Slightly: Let smookies rest briefly to set, making them easier to transfer without breaking.
FAQs
Q: Can I use homemade cookie dough?
A: Yes! Use enough dough to make 16 portions (about 2 tablespoons each). Chill slightly for easier handling.
Q: Are Smookies healthy?
A: They’re indulgent but can be lightened with reduced-sugar dough, dark chocolate, or whole-grain crackers.
Q: Can I make these in a campfire or grill?
A: Yes! Assemble on foil, wrap tightly, and cook over medium campfire coals or a grill for 10-15 minutes, checking for melted marshmallows.
Q: How do I prevent marshmallows from sticking?
A: Place marshmallows cut side down and ensure the cookie dough covers them fully to minimize oozing.
Q: Can I freeze smookies?
A: Yes, freeze baked smookies for up to 2 months. Thaw or reheat for best texture.
Q: Why are my smookies too soft?
A: Underbaking or warm marshmallows can cause softness. Bake for 18-19 minutes for firmer cookies, and cool slightly before moving.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes, use two baking sheets or bake in batches. Double all ingredients for 32 smookies.
Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: Use gluten-free cookie dough and graham crackers, and ensure chocolate and marshmallows are gluten-free.