As our popular chocolate mug cake recipe proves, it's almost never a bad idea to fill a cup with an array of sweet ingredients and microwave it. In the recipe below from Mug Meals, author Leslie Bilderback revamps a recipe that's usually cooked outside over a fire: the iconic s'more. Now you can have your fix even during a rain or snowstorm. Bonus: Not only does she make it microwave-friendly, she also adds peanut butter, which would be impossible to do over a campfire.
Tips for nailing mug s'mores
Mind your marshmallows. Bilderback suggests using mini marshmallows, since the larger ones can puff up and explode. If you only have the bigger size, you can either cut them into smaller pieces or use a larger mug to contain the mess.
Make it seasonal. You can easily customize this recipe by substituting various holiday confections. Instead of regular chocolate, try Wilton's Candy Melts, which come in every color imaginable (think red for Valentine's Day or green for St. Patrick's Day). You can also trade holiday cookies for graham crackers or Easter Peeps for basic marshmallows.
Campfire biscuit s'mores take your s'more experience to the next level
Cheat the caramelization. Unlike a roaring campfire, your microwave won't give your marshmallows that gorgeous toasty-golden hue. To juj up the presentation, layer the marshmallows on top (instead of stirring them in) and once they've melted, use a small kitchen blowtorch to brown them before serving. Be sure to use a jumbo mug to prevent spillovers.
Recipe and photos from Mug Meals by Leslie Bilderback. Copyright © 2015 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Griffin.
Fire up the barbecue for Ryan Scott's grilled s'mores and banana split milkshake