On the Shores of Carpenter Creek: s'mores

There's my little counter. Do you see it? It's right there, just a bit to the right, above the boot. See it? That tells how many times my pages have been looked at here. I've been watching that little counter with a great deal of interest, wondering how to make it move faster. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that it's that high...I'd just like more. Hence, I'm planning on having a party when it hits 5000. Now, don't be asking the details because I'm not really sure of them yet. Let's just say we'll have some fun the day we hit 5000. So keep an eye on it; you won't want to miss the party!

Finger Lickin' Good!

Now, on to more frightening things in life; I decided to attempt a dessert from scratch tonight! Okay, okay...I had Darling attempt it and I just took photos. Our goal? To make a pan of s'mores.

Preheat your oven to 375, then add the following ingredients to a bowl:

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup graham crackers (smashed to smitherenes)

1 tsp baking soda

Darling smashes the graham crackers inside a sandwich bag.

Mix these dry ingredients together. Now add 1 cup melted butter and stir until you've got a soft dough.

Push your dough down into the bottom of a pan; ours was 9x9. Bake for 18 minutes, or until your 'cookie' is done.

Immediately add 3 cups of chocolate chips.

I think we added a bit too many...a layer is really enough (we didn't measure, just layered them on good and thick!) The heat from your cookie will begin to melt the chips immediately.

Now take some marshmallows and create your top layer. We used the big ones, but hey, you could use small ones. Or colored ones; that would be fun for Easter. Turn your oven to broil and put your pan of s'mores back into for approx. 20 seconds. The top of the pan should be 4-5 inches beneath the heat.

Warning: Marshmallows toast quickly. If you leave them in too long, they will burn, just like when you roast them over the fire. Should this happen, and smoke begins filling your kitchen, PANIC!!! Run around like a maniac and scream "Where's the fire extinguisher!" (Note to self: Keep fire extinguisher in a handy place for baking and cooking...)

Just kidding! Amazingly enough, we didn't burn anything, not even the tops of the marshmallows! Allow your pan of s'mores to cool ten minutes before diving in.

Now, if I can do it, you can do it! Okay, okay...I didn't do it. But I watched, and it seemed pretty darned simple. So go make s'mores with your kids or grandkids this weekend. And if you haven't got children, well, borrow the neighbors kids. Better yet, don't, and you'll have more s'mores for yourself!