Do you roast marshmallows when camping if you don't have any kids with you?
Posted by kam_pra@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 630 comments
OK, my experience of camping in the USA is strictly limited to what I see on the TV and I was wondering how much of what I see is just fiction and how much is really how things are done on a campsite.
For example, I was watching Twin Peaks last night and two adults, Cooper and the Major, are sitting round a camp fire and, according to David Lynch, they had searched around for the perfect twigs and then pushed on the marshmallows that they had clearly packed for the camping trip.
That got me thinking, as an adult, when you go camping, is the first thing that you think about regarding food going to be 'marshmallows'?
Do you start your camping evening looking for just the right stick?
MisSpooks@reddit
My friends and I don't have kids, but every time I host a bonfire party smores are made.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Am I right on thinking that s'mores are advanced construction? With chocolate and crackers and stuff, way more than just a roasted marshmallow?
Murda981@reddit
Smores are like a sandwich. Graham crakers on the top and bottom, one piece of chocolate and a toasted marshmallow in the middle. The toasted marshmallow will melt the chocolate and it will be a mess. If it's not a mess you're doing it wrong.
Several years ago they made s'mores on the Great British Bakeoff and people here in the States freaked out because they were too perfect looking. I've never had a smore that wasn't an absolute mess.
lissalissa3@reddit
That was the funniest episode of GBBO I’ve seen. Sure, you can have s’mores flavored or inspired things, but true s’mores must be made over an open flame with regular old graham crackers and part of Hershey’s chocolate bar. They’re messy, not culinary.
CrownStarr@reddit
S’mores are also a perfect example of a food that shouldn’t be elevated IMO. I don’t want a s’more with fancy chocolate and an organic marshmallow or whatever. Hershey’s, Jet-Puffed, and Honey Maid is all you need.
shelwood46@reddit
Hershey's did a trial a couple summers ago of some graham-cracker sized chocolate square filled with caramel, those need to come back
KitchenComicRelief@reddit
They are back. We saw them at our grocery store last week.
UnbelievableRose@reddit
Like the Ghirardelli squares?
shelwood46@reddit
Like Ghiardelli squares but much bigger, like the size of a post-it (3x3?), to fit on a graham cracker whole.
IWantALargeFarva@reddit
I disagree here. We do a s’mores bar. Options are Hersheys, Reese’s, Andes, or Nutella. And then you’re justified in eating at least 4 smores. Because you need to try every flavor.
CheeseFries92@reddit
I get what you're saying, but Reese's thins on a s'more are elite
CrownStarr@reddit
See that’s fine by me because it’s still an ultra-processed unhealthy candy - that’s what makes it taste so good!
CheeseFries92@reddit
Yeah, that logic checks out
GreenBeanTM@reddit
The only acceptable form of elevated s’more still uses trash ingredients. Oreo instead of gram crackers? Sure. Reeces instead of plain Hershey’s? Unironically amazing.
VoiceArtPassion@reddit
I ever so slightly disagree with this. I have a kid who loves smores but he is very mess averse…kind of a spectrum thing. We made smores in a waffle cone last year and it was the best thing ever!!! Bonus, I could eat them because I’m gluten free and they don’t make make gluten free graham crackers, but they do make gluten free waffle cones!! We even crushed up some graham crackers and added them in for the quintessential flavor.
lissalissa3@reddit
Wait waffle cone s’mores sound delicious
CrownStarr@reddit
Ooh I'm not wild about the sticky mess either, and I do love waffle cones. I might try that next time I'm at a campfire. Did you just stick some chocolate pieces in the bottom and shove the marshmallow on top?
VoiceArtPassion@reddit
Pretty much, we layered it and topped it with more chocolate and crushed graham crackers. We put the cone near the fire while we roasted the marshmallows to get it a little more melty.
fiestybox246@reddit
I like one made with an Oreo on occasion. Open it up and put the chocolate and marshmallow inside.
On_my_last_spoon@reddit
You are a genius!
ktgrok@reddit
I actually prefer Nila wafers…
beeschirp@reddit
And if you really want to get fancy, you trade the Hershey’s chocolate bar in for a Reese’s or another flat chocolate to add an extra flavor. Regular s’mores is still the way to go though
macoafi@reddit
A caramel Ghirardelli square is a great choice.
beeschirp@reddit
That sounds amazing!! I’ll have to try it
EmilyAnneBonny@reddit
We like to use chocolate frosting in ours.
TuttiFlutiePanist@reddit
We do a variation with Fudge-Striped cookies in place of the graham and Hershey's.
treycook@reddit
I usually do my camping in October, and last year I tested out a bunch of various fun-sized Halloween chocolates. Standard definitely came out on top, IMO. I prefer a Reese's to a Hershey bar any day, but it's too much and too distracting from the marshmallow.
Next_Ad_4165@reddit
We often will just smear some peanut butter on a graham cracker before adding the chocolate, then marshmallow and other graham cracker. So yummy! More messy!
borisdidnothingwrong@reddit
I make s'mores with homemade marshmallows, which I cut to be the same size as half a graham cracker/half a Hershey bar, so it is a near perfect stack.
They still get messy.
-Sam-Losco-@reddit
I got you my guy
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XlddDZkkxCc&pp=ygUOc21vcmVzIHNhbmRsb3Q%3D
Zaidswith@reddit
I prefer the slowly toasted 'mallow over the flaming charred 'mallow myself.
Any-Assistance-8103@reddit
Im not clicking but it had better be the sandlot clip
MechanicalGodzilla@reddit
YOU'RE KILLING ME SMALLS!
Vix255@reddit
I did and it is
NovelWord1982@reddit
I hate that I had to scroll this far down to see this as a reply.
Dandibear@reddit
If you're me you just eat roasted marshmallows and chocolate alternately 😏
hobokobo1028@reddit
lol. Yes, three ingredients qualifies as “advanced construction”.
vermilion-chartreuse@reddit
S'mores are an American staple. Usually, in the summer, you can find a shelf at the grocery store that has all the needed supplies all together. We have S'mores ingredients on hand in our pantry from about May through October/November.
InvincibleChutzpah@reddit
Yes, they are a graham cracker and chocolate, specifically. Graham cracker is a slightly sweet cracker with a flavor similar to a digestive biscuit, but thinner and crispier.
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
I know American adults who specifically bring the large, good-for-toasting, marshmallows to any occasion with an open fire so they can toast them - without any children present.
They also often make sure they have the supplies to make S'mores, too.
My conclusion is that these are activities for children of all ages.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
That's a great way to put it. No point on having a fire if you're not putting it to good use.
kashy87@reddit
Plus especially in town you can't have an open flame without food being prepped. If my s'mores stuff is sitting there it's perfectly legal.
KitchenComicRelief@reddit
Marshmallow theory. I may not be roasting one when the cops walk up, but I'm not burning without marshmallows or hotdogs. Marshmallows don't go bad as quickly as dogs.
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
Rules-lawyering with marshmallows!
kashy87@reddit
For added effect have hotdogs on the fridge with the ketchup and buns on the table with the s'mores stuff. Then when the FD/PD shows up because of assholes you can offer them a midshift snack.
Responsible_Side8131@reddit
My dad always had a fire going in our backyard, even though it was not allowed. One time the fire was quite Smokey and someone must have called about it because we heard the sirens coming. Dad told Mom to quickly go grab the hot dogs and buns, and she did. By the time the FD arrived we were all standing there roasting our hot dogs on sticks and Dad asked the firemen if they wanted to join us. It didn’t hurt that one of the firemen was a friend of his.
Yibblets@reddit
A few years ago, my house burned due to a electrical short, I was hopelessly standing in the front watching yard the fire. One of my neighbors came over with some marshmallows and sticks to use.
This turned the "tears of grief into tears of laughter" for me, as I was while waiting for the fire department to show up. This was theexpensive marshmallows roast that I've ever attended.
kashy87@reddit
I mean one of the best things to give someone sad is some sweet to eat.
BALLSonBACKWARDS@reddit
I feel like you, me and your neighbor would be friends.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Seriously good neigbour.
DSudz@reddit
Wrap a rock in tin foil and you have a permanent "potato in progress" for display purposes.
Debsha@reddit
I’m sorry, ketchup on a hot dog - nooooooo! It’s mustard!
Atlas7-k@reddit
Nah, mustard is trash and ketchup is superior.
Spirited_Ingenuity89@reddit
Agreed. I hate mustard and don’t put it in/on anything where I can actually taste mustard.
NoseDesperate6952@reddit
Me too!
NoseDesperate6952@reddit
I upvote your down votes cuz I hate mustard and love ketchup
Traditional-Photo227@reddit
Yeah, no that's just wrong 😁
kashy87@reddit
Both the answer you're looking for is both
MaryLMarx@reddit
Honestly though, twigs won’t do. You need a proper two-tined roasting fork so you can turn it slowly and get it all melty inside while it puffs up to the size of a softball. Then when you lay it down on the chocolate and graham cracker the gooey contents with the melted chocolate make the perfect s’more.
Blue_Star_Child@reddit
But I bring my own skewer. Using sticks are kinda gross. Most people don't use sticks.
kashy87@reddit
I don't think I'm who you meant to reply to because I never mentioned sticks. It's metal skewers so you can make it hot to roast the bastards from the inside out too.
webbitor@reddit
Surely that would make it fall off like a trying to hold butter on a hot knive.
kashy87@reddit
It's a very fine line to tread. Too hot and yea you liquify the mallow. But just right and it's gooey inside and normal outside.
Lokisworkshop@reddit
Most people use sticks. you burn the tip. what the heck has happened to people where they are afraid of using a stick to roast marshmallows? Like those marshmallows are super healthy to start with.
ZieAerialist@reddit
I was like... y'all are out camping already which is a dirty grimy process outside of the most glamp of glamping set ups maybe, but being squeamish about the marshmallow stick that you can sanitize by fire?
I get it in places with lots of poisonous trees, but in places without them a stick is just fine for marshmallows. Once you graduate to hot dogs, skewers are much better.
Pro tip: pizza rolls on a hot skewer toasted on the fire are also magnificent.
Time_Birthday8808@reddit
In the areas I camp, there are lots of poisonous trees and shrubs. Grime has nothing to do with using metal skewers.
Time_Birthday8808@reddit
You apparently don’t have a lot of poisonous bushes/trees in your area. It’s hard to tell which tree a stick came from—easier to just bring a skewer!
aculady@reddit
In some areas, many of the trees/bushes are poisonous, so using the wrong stick could kill you.
webbitor@reddit
So use the right stick. Use a species you're familiar with.
AuntieWatermelon@reddit
come on you just sanitize the end in the fire before you use it!
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
You do have to be a little careful about the wood you use for a skewer to cook food. Yew is poisonous. A lot of conifers will add a lot of resins to your food which will make it taste odd and can cause digestive problems.
Practical-Ordinary-6@reddit
Yeah some trees/bushes are poisonous so my parents always said don't use a stick.
We lived in California at the time which has oleander trees/bushes.
webbitor@reddit
That's one good reason to learn some of your local plants, trees, etc.
AuntieWatermelon@reddit
thanks for the warning. fortunately here in massachusetts there aren’t many toxic trees around. our forests are mostly pine, oak, hickory, maple, birch. yew is pretty rare. and i’ve never had a problem with any resinous tastes thankfully.
HavBoWilTrvl@reddit
This is the way.....
freddbare@reddit
A fresh green twig for toasting needs to have the bark stripped...that is cleaner than and "skewers" from home!
kae0603@reddit
I have only used and seen people use sticks, so not sure about most people using skewers.
oswin13@reddit
Wait, what? No city I've ever lived in has has required food to have a bonfire as long as basic safety rules are followed.
ktgrok@reddit
Same. We frequently have burn bans - have one right now in fact- where no fires are allowed due to drought and fear of wildfires. But during a burn ban it doesn’t matter if you are cooking or not- all fires are illegal. Not like a wildfire cares why you started the fire. And when there isn’t a burn ban all fires are legal.
NoseDesperate6952@reddit
Same here in central Oregon
Responsible_Side8131@reddit
Where I grew up, and also where I live now, you need a permit for a bonfire. It’s easy to obtain by calling the fire department, and they don’t approve it if conditions are too dry. But a lot of people don’t bother, thus making the bonfire technically illegal
shelwood46@reddit
When I was a fire chief in NJ, working farms could get permits to burn waste, in a bonfire or a barrel, but regular homeowners could only get one time permits for bonfires and campfires, and no yard waste was allowed (you could burn it in your fireplace but not outside). So newbies residents would try to burn their yard waste and claim it was a bonfire/campfire, except they had no permit, so we would just open the hoses on it, and the cops would fine them. Whoops.
TheKiddIncident@reddit
Yes. Using a fire barrel is illegal in CA to burn trash but not to cook.
davideogameman@reddit
I think it was a joke. Saying you shouldn't waste an opportunity to roast some food.
But yes lighting fires can be illegal in certain places and times
Apathetic_Asparagus@reddit
Plenty of states have burn bans based on weather conditions - if it's too hot, dry, or windy, allowing fires could quickly lead to a wildfire. Or if there's a pressure inversion, the smoke could stick around for too long and make the air quality unhealthy.
Burn bans have multiple levels in my state. Lowest level is basically no burning yard waste, but small fires inside metal or stone rings is fine. Moves up to only cooking fires in metal rings with flames under 12 inches. Then only cooking flames with a shutoff switch (propane).
Coctyle@reddit
I’ve never heard of a law like that.
Aprils-Fool@reddit
You can’t have a backyard fire pit without using it to cook?
Adorable_Dust3799@reddit
Rules in states where lawnmowers can spark devastating fires are very very different. If the conditions are bad i won't mow. I really don't trust a bbq grill in my particular yard, much less a fire pit. Dads house was further from the canyon and had windbreaks and a nice lawn so a bbq was fine there, but definitely not a fire pit. It's just different. Some people can safely have a firepit, but they're more likely to be closely watched if people are cooking so the rules are often looser. Trash sends more sparks flying as well as pollution and is more regulated.
creatyvechaos@reddit
I think blanket sweeping that claim is pretty funny tbh. I've never lived anywhere where open fires (not for food) were straight up banned unless you're living in an apartment complex or the fire department issued a burn ban (season too dry.) Other than that, fire pits are very common in my town
MamaLlama629@reddit
Also good is having hotdogs nearby
MiddlePop4953@reddit
A tasty treat is tasty at any age and there's no summer treat like a toasted marshmallow.
Personally I don't really do the s'mores thing, cause my hands always get sticky and I hate that, but I'll eat the marshmallow off the stick and also have a piece of chocolate.
No_Salad_8766@reddit
People will also bring specific roasting sticks (metal ones) for roasting marshmallows or hotdogs on.
SabresBills69@reddit
it’s not just camping. a friend had a fire pit set up in his back yard so we’d set up a fire as the sunset and sit in lawn chairs or on pi Nic table bench and we’d do marshmallows over the fire.
HaplessReader1988@reddit
I've even toasted marshmallows inside my wood stove in midwinter.
brasticstack@reddit
S'mores with good chocolate are out of this world!
sparksbet@reddit
tbh they're pretty good even with bad chocolate, I've never tried actually good chocolate for them... do you have recommendations?
brasticstack@reddit
Almost any chocolate is better than the default Hershey squares. We've had good results with Lindt, Ghiradelli, just whatever is around. IMO dark chocolate is better than milk because the marshmallow is already so sweet.
RightFlounder@reddit
I've tried them with Ghirardelli squares once, game changer!
fueelin@reddit
The ones with filling? Woah.
Woah.
RightFlounder@reddit
One word; caramel.
idomoodou2@reddit
American here. I have a s'mores tackle box with all of the tools and things that I need to make s'mores at the drop of a hat. A Wednesday in July, and having a fire... Boom s'mores. A Thursday in January, fire indoors, boom s'mores.
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
You are truly dedicated to the cause.
Bright_Ices@reddit
Those extra huge marshmallows are no good for s’mores though. They’re just too big. I prefer to stick to the regular ones.
RaymondLuxuryYacht@reddit
Secret is to use regular sized, then use two so you can sandwich the chocolate so it melts better
riarws@reddit
They are good plain though
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
True, true.
Large, but not X-large. Just right.
Bright_Ices@reddit
Ironically, the large ones are sold as “Jumbo” and the X-large as “Jumbo Extra Large.” I feel like they could have come up with a better name for that side, like “Humongous.”
Practical-Ordinary-6@reddit
"Like a pillow"
worrymon@reddit
Those aren't pillows!
TheHondoCondo@reddit
But even the jumbos are too big.
RainingRabbits@reddit
My husband is one of these people and it's part of why I love him so much. We make it a point to do things typically thought of as childish because why not? We're allowed to have fun too!
CSILalaAnn@reddit
I personally like the big square marshmallows!!
CB_Chuckles@reddit
As one of the described adults, this is very much true. Been roasting marshmallows since Boy Scouts nearly 50 years ago.
SugarsBoogers@reddit
As a person with a fire pit in my backyard, it is my moral obligation to *always* have s’mores supplies on hand. There are no children in my life.
PsychoFaerie@reddit
The right stick is a must for roasting marshmallows or hot dogs.
and yes I've roasted marshmallows with zero kids around. its fun and tasty.
Evapoman97@reddit
We use a gas burner in the house to make s'mores inside during rainy days!
CerberusInExile@reddit
How can you have s’mores if you don’t roast your marshmallows? I don’t even understand the question. What does the kids being there or not have to do with roasting marshmallows?
Nellrose0505@reddit
Absolutely, it's tradition. And I love s'mores. We all eat a couple every trip.
PhysicsTeachMom@reddit
No and no. I like marshmallow flavor but don’t actually like marshmallows much. Occasionally, I’ll have one but that’s it. I like the challenge of roasting the perfect one each time but I give them to my husband or kids.
When I think of camp food I think of stew or chili cooked in a hanging cast iron Dutch oven with some campfire biscuits, chorizo, onions, potatoes and eggs cooking ready to be put in a warm tortilla, charred hot dogs roasting on sticks with potato salad, beans, and chips. My boys were scouts when they were kids and I did a lot of camping with them. I even did the Order of the Arrow ordeal 7 months pregnant with my now middle schooler. We live in the woods now where I have a nice campfire ring that I use my tripod and Dutch oven in a lot in the summer. My youngest is chomping at the bit to roast some hot dogs and marshmallows. But now I can get a hot bath and sleep in a comfortable bed after a campfire meal.
IndiaEvans@reddit
Absolutely!!!
BigWhiteDog@reddit
I live where people camp so no! 🤣
Fit-Restaurant-3550@reddit
(30+) I love toasted marshmallows. We have a wood burned pizza oven, and when the pizzas are done, I toast a mallow for desert as the oven cools off. I HATE s’mores though. Way too much mess and does not improve the taste of a golden toasted, perfectly melted mallow at all.
OrenSchroeder@reddit
I randomly light up tea candles and roast marshmallows.
DrBlankslate@reddit
It’s tradition. If you go camping and don’t toast marshmallows on the fire, I’m going to wonder what’s wrong with you.
newimprovedmoo@reddit
Yeah, they're delicious.
ImOutOfIdeas42069@reddit
My wife and I don't have any kids and we will make smores over our backyard fire pit a few times a year for just us. We don't camp too often and when we do it's almost always a fire ban in our area so we'd have to roast them over our propane burner so we don't actually do it when camping.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
So they are more of a fire tradition rather than a camping tradition,. wherever there is an open fire there is the possibility of smores?
liptonthrowback@reddit
I was very popular for hosting sleepovers because I let kids roast marshmallows over the flame of our gas stove.
PlanMagnet38@reddit
If someone has an open flame, especially a fire pit, the possibility of s’mores is absolutely a point of discussion. I would be disappointed to be invited to “a firepit” and not at least be offered the option to make s’mores!
Among my friend group, there is a running joke about s’mores ingredients, with the pedants pitted against the more avante garde roasters.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
The s'mores sub culture must be rich and varied indeed.
PlanMagnet38@reddit
Personally, I am in the avant garde group, so my s’mores use marshmallow peeps (ideally a bunny) and a reese’s cup. Growing up, we made “smurfs,” which were s’mores with peanut butter between the graham cracker and chocolate bar, so the reese’s cup is a lot less messy but still gives me that peanut hit.
JSessionsCrackDealer@reddit
No shame in experimenting! Next time, grab some little Debbie oatmeal cream pies and use those instead of the graham cracker. It's awesome!
PlanMagnet38@reddit
😱 brilliant
CahabaL@reddit
So, I take it you used blue bunny Peeps for the smurfs? 🤣
pastrymom@reddit
Peeps and Reese’s? I never thought to put those in one at the same time!
PlanMagnet38@reddit
The sugar crystallizes so nicely and the thinner bunny (as opposed to the chubby chick) means the whole marshmallow is warmed. The chocolate outside of the Reese’s cup melts more quickly than a solid chunk of chocolate, so it truly turns into the sauce it’s intended to be.
For those who can’t do chocolate, I have a friend who swears my lemon curd with her marshmallow/grahams.
pastrymom@reddit
Ooh lemon curd!! I’ve always loved toasted peeps. Thanks for this!
lexicon951@reddit
This is an amazing idea and I will be telling my Reese’s-obsessed s’more-loving dad pronto
PlanMagnet38@reddit
Welcome to the fold!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
And here you are declaring it publicly. Brave but principled stand. 👍
copper_rabbit@reddit
My upgrade options include Reese's thins and strawberries.
PlanMagnet38@reddit
Oooh how have I not thought about strawberries?! Fresh or dehydrated?
copper_rabbit@reddit
Always fresh
Lurkalope@reddit
It's still thought of as a camping tradition, just not limited to that. We make them with our backyard fire pit and I've had friends comment that they never considered just making s'mores in the backyard.
ImOutOfIdeas42069@reddit
That and hot dogs. A fire roasted hot dog is so much better than a grilled one.
lexicon951@reddit
My dad has a metal firepit on his back patio and has s’mores shelves by his back door specifically to hold s’more ingredients for anytime during the summer that we start a bonfire. Usually on July 4 and randomly throughout the summer
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Your dad is a dedicated man.
Jsmith2127@reddit
Yes , I probably like smores more than my kids ever did
Subterranean44@reddit
I don’t even wait to go camping. I make them in the oven :) I have no kids
SnowglobeSnot@reddit
Yes! Though not necessarily camping. My partner and I regularly have bonfires (southern lol) and we’ll periodically make s’mores or chili dogs over it. :)
lisasimpsonfan@reddit
I always thought of bonfires as more of a rural thing then belonging to one region. They are very popular here and were when I was growing up too. I love sitting around the fire just talking and enjoying the heat.
sparksbet@reddit
I don't even think I'd call them rural -- they're popular enough in the suburbs here, at least.
OverzealousGremlin@reddit
There's a difference between rural bonfires and suburb bonfires, though
sparksbet@reddit
oh I'm sure there is, but in terms of having them at all and doing shit like making smores, they're definitely still a thing in the burbs.
slingshot91@reddit
I’m in a northern big city, and I roasted some marshmallows over a fire pit the other day.
Aprils-Fool@reddit
I think you’re right. I’m in the south, but a big city. We have backyard fire pits, but not bonfires.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Right, if you forget the marshmallows does that make it less of an evening?
YourOwnPunkyBrewster@reddit
I for me it does! 90% of the reason I start a fire is purely for making s’mores. Because the only real way to make one—the whole experience: the warmth of the fire, laughing at your brother’s marshmallow falling off his stick into the charred wood, making a torch out of your own because you like ‘em that way….the smoke stinging your eyes, and sticky fingers…I could go on, but yes. No marshmallows makes for a sad camping trip, with or without kids.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I assume this is typically an American experience, or one to be experienced on America.
I'm thinking I'd like to try it at some point.
blahblahshowmeurcat@reddit
I hope you get the chance to :) s’mores are seriously one of the most delish desserts around, simple as they may be. When I was a kid at home, sometimes I’d even just make them in the microwave haha, but nothing compares to the flavor of a smoky, burnt, melty marshmallow with the chocolate and graham crackers. Truly delightful <3
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I'm getting the taste just from your description....
TheBimpo@reddit
It’s like going to the pub and not having a beer
blackcherrytomato@reddit
I'm Canadian and I roast marshmallows in my backyard without kids.
Elaine330@reddit
Always. I roast em over my stove 😅
th3rdeye_@reddit
Why the hell not?
11B_35P_35F@reddit
Personally, I just eat them straight out of the bag. Roasting them in pointless and s'mores are a pain in the ass. I just eat all the items separately. When someone questions me on that, I just say, "its a deconstructed s'more." Side note, I have to limit myself with the marshmallows cause I can finish a whole by myself in one sitting.
Designer-Travel4785@reddit
No. Marshmallows and mustaches down get along. 😆
EmperorGeek@reddit
Wherever I camp, I’m a kid there, so I make S’mores. It is mandatory.
yellowdogs-2@reddit
It’s not camping unless you have s’mores.
ciret7@reddit
I'm old and have a s'mores box for camping. Graham crackers, Hershey chocolate bars and marshmallows. I've got a couple of long handles toasting forks and the wife and I have s'mores multiple nights on our camping trips. It's kind of magical sitting out in the wilderness toasting marshmallows, making s'mores with your sweetheart.
FloatyghostJM1@reddit
I’m a 35 year-old childfree s’mores enthusiast. I make them while camping, over fires in my back yard, and over a little plug-in eye in my kitchen that was made especially for toasting marshmallows.
One is never too old for such a delicious treat.
PearofGenes@reddit
In my 30s, camp a lot, always bring s'mores for myself and my friends lol
whereisurbackbone@reddit
My friend had a fire in his yard last fall and we roasted marshmallows. His kids were there but they are technically grown. I feel like it’s less about the marshmallows/smores themselves and more about the nostalgia and ritual of it. That’s the case for me anyway.
hylajen@reddit
Of course.
shadesontopback@reddit
They’re good but so sweet and messy so we don’t unless there’re kids in the group.
Kielbasa_Nunchucka@reddit
I'm not a big fan, but I do eat one s'more every year on our annual long camping trip. my wife always brings them, and she always searches for "the perfect stick." we have metal, pronged cooking sticks, but she insists on finding one in the woods.
she will eat most of a bag of marshmallows over the course of the week.
Ok-Entertainment5045@reddit
Nah, I prefer to get my extra calories from bourbon or beer.
Mattturley@reddit
Uhm, hells yeah. The time and experience are for me and friends and partner. If I make SMOREs I tend to use an almond milk chocolate bar. Normally not Hershey’s because I like richer milk chocolate or dark chocolate.
Sometime I find a stick and whittle a perfect point. A lot of people cook their hotdogs over the fire first but I personally cannot stand hotdogs and only eat one a year to commemorate my state’s founders day (which must be prepared and served in a very specific way). After your meat on a stick dinner, you can reuse the stick to toast marshmallows. But, I also carry metal kebab holders that I use to roast meat and veg over the fire and then will use for marshmallows if in the mood. Normally only with company.
I live full time in a 35’ motorhome after retiring early due to medical disability.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
But Graham crackers always though?
Mattturley@reddit
If it is a s’more, yes. If I am just doing a nod to it, it could be ice cream sundaes, or a pineapple upside down cake that I have cooked over the fire in a cast iron skillet and top with toasted marshmallow, or anything you could imagine.
geesearetobefeared@reddit
Yes, it's for all ages. It's also common at grill outs and bonfires. S'mores is a cheap and casual finger food and we love those here. It's also very hard to be intimidated by or shy around a person once you've seen them accidentally light their marshmallow on fire twice in a row.
PupLondon@reddit
What does one do with the children once theyre roasted?
mraz44@reddit
Of course!! We even roast marshmallows in our backyard lol!
Alternative-Past-603@reddit
Yes. And if there isn't a campfire, I've resorted to the stove burner on high and a fork.
bthks@reddit
My bestie has a mini stove specifically for roasting marshmallows if it's too wet or we don't have enough time to start a full fire. When our marshmallows got stolen by a bear once, we didn't do anything the next day until we'd found a shop to replace the marshmallows. Perhaps we are a bit more zealous than others, but yes, there are at least two fully grown American adults who treat s'mores as one of the most necessary parts of camping.
We use metal skewers more than sticks these days because most of the campsites we go to are very well picked over when it comes to sticks.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I am definitely getting the feeling that this would be one of those 'how to spot a spy' activities. If someone doesn't understand marshmallows and open fires then they are an imposter....
Disastrous-Group3390@reddit
Probably as reliable as the ‘three fingers’ trick!
ghoulthebraineater@reddit
Maybe even more so. I've met Americans that count in a more European way. I never met another American that doesn't understand Smores.
Appropriate-Win3525@reddit
My dad counted the European way on his fingers. It used to drive me nuts when I was little. I wonder if he picked it when he lived in Germany while in the Army.
xaraca@reddit
I was on a solo road trip and stayed one night at a very romantic bed and breakfast in the countryside. They had s'mores kits ready to go for all of the couples. I made one by myself.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Did it taste as good as if you'd been with someone else?
xaraca@reddit
Well it did have my full attention so maybe even better
Pernicious_Possum@reddit
No, but only because I hate camping and marshmallows
Upbeat-Antelope8354@reddit
Anytime I'm around a fire smores are involved. Although we have special metal sticks we bought on Amazon for the marshmallows no stick hunting needed
_lilidawn_@reddit
My son doesn't like marshmallows, I'm not sure yet about my toddlers honestly.
So my husband and I do it for us.
Less-Load-8856@reddit
Yes
Avbitten@reddit
thats the only part of camping i actually like
TrophyWives394@reddit
It does not require a bonfire to roast marshmallows. I use my gas stove and in the winter my fireplace. If my husband cooks on the Weber we have roasted marshmallows. If there is fire a marshmallow can be roasted.
KikiCorwin@reddit
Yeah. Marshmallow roasting is a socially acceptable way for me to play with fire.
PoeMe_a_Stiff_One@reddit
We camp (camper, not tent)every other weekend and we roast marshmallows regularly during these trips. Typically we makes Smores, or some variation of (favorite is a Reese's peanut butter cup or salted caramel chocolate square instead of a chocolate bar) but we don't often just roast and eat marshmallows.
We cook 90% of what we eat those weekends over a fire because it's just happier.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Is every other weekend for camping well above average? You must be somewhere hot and dry?
PoeMe_a_Stiff_One@reddit
We are in the Midwest, so camping is every other weekend from March through November, but having the camper we have heat. We would camp year round but the water lines in campers aren't well protected so they would freeze and bust if we went year round.
Ericmonster13@reddit
Sometimes if I feel like It
BHobson13@reddit
No kids in this house and I will admit to toasting marshmallows over a gas flame on occasion. I don't camp anymore due to disabilities.
These-Ad5332@reddit
Absolutely!
GooseNYC@reddit
I don't go camping, not everyone does.
Quirky_Commission_56@reddit
When I was a kid we’d drive to the Franklin Mountains to go camping and of course we’d bring marshmallows when there wasn’t a fire hazard warning in place and my dad would saw off some small branches to use to roast marshmallows. But that was back in the 1980s.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
As an adult do you no feel the urge to repeat it?
Quirky_Commission_56@reddit
Not since my spine was fused to correct my severe scoliosis when I was 13. And sleeping on a hard floor would render 50 year old me unable to walk for several days.
thesmacca@reddit
Not usually, but I'm not a big sweets person. I will put fancy meats and cheeses on a stick and then make "savory s'mores" using crackers, but unless someone really wants them, I didn't usually do marshmallows.
Now if there are kids along? I turn the campfire into a s'mores assembly line. We are EFFICIENT and we are SKILLED and we are STICKY.
kritter4life@reddit
Yeah s’mores are good
thefuzzybunny1@reddit
I had a marshmallow roasting station at my wedding.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
That's dedication and a nice gift for the guests.
thefuzzybunny1@reddit
Folks had a lot of fun with it. The venue set out a table of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows with stakes for roasting. There is no social occasion that would not be improved by putting dessert between two other desserts, I feel.
hollowbolding@reddit
why would i not revel in the opportunity to set something on fire and eat it
bellegroves@reddit
Yes. It's actually much safer and less messy without kids around. Do you not enjoy camp fires or desserts or something?
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Camping here in the UK for me has generally involved rain, damp and very smoky fires. The American version seems to be much more fun.
bellegroves@reddit
I'm from the Pacific Northwest, and same. We routinely re-waterproof our waterproof camping gear.
AnastasiusDicorus@reddit
No, with or without kids, but we might roast some bacon strips on a coat hanger. PS - not the plastic coat hangers, don't try that.
ConfusedCapatiller@reddit
The only requirement is that the human must be or have once been a child.
Nobody is too old for chocolate and cookies
ImmediateAd7069@reddit
We used to. We don't even do campfires anymore given the wildfire danger.
AgreeAndSubmit@reddit
AbsaFuckinLutely. My guy gets Peeps and we roast those. Best marshmallow roast ever.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
So peeps are marsh mallows? They don't sell those in the UK.
AgreeAndSubmit@reddit
That's a shame. Yes they're marshmallows of a finer texture than normal, and coated with decorative baking sugar. Slow roast to melt, char the sugar and the insides are a velvety smooth goo. You can actually feel your pancreas want to die, but it is absolutely delicious. I can only eat two, anything else after that, I'm in sugar shock.
If you can find them on an American foods import site, it's worth the try. If you don't have a campfire, a regular butylene torch from the garage works just as fine. Plz, DO NOT Set the house fire with the torch. And the heated marshmallow can cause burns. Be careful please.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I promise not to experiment in the kitchen. It will be outdoors or not at all.
InvincibleChutzpah@reddit
Usually, but not always. Camping isn't even required, just a bonfire. I had a fire pit in my backyard. We always got fixins for s'mores when we had people over and knew we'd be out by the fire.
No_Plankton2501@reddit
Exactly. We are having a bonfire with friends on Friday. There will be s’mores. Half the group doesn’t have kids yet they’ll be making and eating them alongside everyone else. It’s just assumed if there’s a fire there will be s’mores.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Is there smores competitiveness?
thisolhag@reddit
There isn't any real competition when it comes to s'mores but a bit of light hearted teasing and judgement. In a large group you'll always have someone who insists on burned marshmallows being best and another who barely roasts theirs(which gets immediate side eye from me).
Occasionally someone will accidentally light theirs on fire and desperately try to put it out. Or a kids will fling them at each other while the parents try to stop them. Most people have their own techniques. Like lightly roasting the outside, pulling it off then roasting it again declaring that it's the best way to make them. It's just a fun activity all of us have fond memories of.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I'm going to practice in private in that case.
thisolhag@reddit
Yea I've heard that there really aren't graham crackers in the UK, some people recommend digestives. Which I haven't had. But whichever you go with they should be kinda thin, very lightly sweet if possible and sorta wheaty. Not sure if any fit the bill. Just don't use scones, I've seen some made (on TV) in the UK like that and that's definitely not close. Also get yourself a good bar of chocolate. Hershey's is absolutely trash, no one I know has used them in years.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Digestives would be too thick. I'll have to find an alternative. Chocolate is not a problem, we have a lot of really good ones here.
ghoulthebraineater@reddit
No. Not really. There's not much room for competition. You typically make them yourself for yourself. There's no one to compete with.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
The only competition is yourself. Do you have flashbacks to your best smore or is that like remember a beer you once had and so not really relevant?
ghoulthebraineater@reddit
No. No best smores. Best camping trips absolutely. Smores are pretty basic really. They're good but really its just a lot of sugar. It really comes down to the act of making them and the people you are with. They're pure nostalgia.
Kenderean@reddit
You don't even really need the fire. When I was a kid, we toasted marshmallows over the grill coals while they were still hot from making dinner.
NoseDesperate6952@reddit
Yes!!! I love them!
Illustrious-Tax-5439@reddit
Reading the title it sounds like, "When there's no kid's to roast over the first, do you end going with marshmallows instead?"
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Yeah, sorry about that. 🙏
Away_Bit_3382@reddit
No, we drink booze.
SteampunkExplorer@reddit
I don't camp, but I love toasted marshmallows. There's a crispy, burnt layer on top, and then it's molten and gooey underneath, while the center stays more dense. They're really, really nice.
Yes, adults eat them! Younger kids need supervision around fires, anyway. They also need help learning how to toast a marshmallow without losing it (if it melts too much, it'll slip off the stick). It's not hard, but it's not really a baby activity. It's an all-ages group activity, where you sit around a bonfire and talk, while preparing and eating sweets.
But I always use a skewer, never a stick off the ground. 😖
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I guess I mean that when you think 'lets go camping' does the thought of roasted marshmallows or smores pop into your head straight away and you think, yes I must get those. And then you think about what else you might want to pack.
Trinx_@reddit
Absolutely. I was once invited to a bonfire as a teen and very confused when I was told it would be too big for roasting marshmallows. Sure enough, it was huge, and you couldn't get close to it. Crazy thing to do for a party. Encountered it again at a Boy Scouts thing. Make a huge bonfire, tell stories in front of it, then put it out. I find any fire you can't cook on pointless.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I guess when it's that big you can't even get round it and chat too much because the wind might change.
WindSong001@reddit
I roast them over my barbecue grill often after we have dinner nobody else likes them, but I just like a few
RedditWidow@reddit
Yes, in our country, we believe that adults are allowed to have fun, and roasted marshmallows are a priority. If you've never had one, you wouldn't understand.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I'm aiming to give it a go.
WIngDingDin@reddit
I'm a savory over sweat guy, so I'll do, at the very least, hot dogs, if not a chunk of meat or stew and veggies. It's actually pretty fun cooking things over an open fire in the woods vs. a fully stocked kitchen.
A lot of my friends have kids now, though, so, there is always a few bags of marshmellows. It keeps them busy.
Charming-Sea8571@reddit
It definitely happens. Unfortunately for me, I can’t have the sugar so no marshmallows
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Type 1 here. I'm hoping I can find a workaround.
TwoIdleHands@reddit
I have dinner first, then marshmallows for s’mores. I don’t use a stick as I have the world’s best telescoping marshmallow roasting sticks.
PoeDameronPoeDamnson@reddit
I’ll do you one better, a lot of us just associate s’mores with the smell of a fire/grill. We do a work grill out and I make s’mores by wrapping them in tinfoil.
steferz@reddit
I still roast them at home over our gas stove 🤪
Outside_Egg4286@reddit
I’ve only seen over weight adults eating s’mores without kids. Not trying to sound mean but it I get the same feeling if someone offered me a juice box, I clearly would enjoy a juice box by the way
tetlee@reddit
Yes and I consider myself to be good at it lol. Caramelize the outside, pull that layer off and eat it, then do the same with next layer. You can get 5 or so good toasty bits off a single one
jessm307@reddit
That’s definitely the best way to eat a marshmallow.
CahabaL@reddit
That sounds delish
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
You definitely marshmallow....
The_Lawn_Ninja@reddit
...
Do you not?
Marshmallows toasted over a campfire are delicious at any age.
Silver_Catman@reddit
The only difference in roasting marshmallows when there are kids present and when there are no kids present is the quality of the marshmallows I buy because there's a 50/50 chance the kids are going to set those marshmallows on fire
Churlish_Performer@reddit
Absolutely not. It's such a gd mess. It gets everywhere at a time when you really don't have a bunch of running water to clean up. No. No fkn way.
Greenearthgirl87@reddit
Absolutely!
Original_Pudding6909@reddit
Of course! Love roasted marshmallows!
Mindless_Earth_2807@reddit
Uh, yes!
Smeaglete@reddit
If I'm car camping somewhere with a fire, smores are absolutely the first thing I think about!
GreenBeanTM@reddit
I’ve roasted marshmallows in the fireplace at my house and there are no kids 😂 hell we’ve made s’mores in the microwave several times.
dopenoperopebro@reddit
I go camping pretty much exclusively to make s'mores and to roast weenies on the fire. Literally, if there's a fire ban I won't go camping. No kids present.
AmesSays@reddit
Hell yeah
RhymenoserousRex@reddit
Yeah, I don’t use a twig though. I bring skewers. I have no clue what shit (literal or pesticide) is on a random stick.
RatonhnhaketonK@reddit
Yes of course
WowsrsBowsrsTrousrs@reddit
Everybody likes toasted marshmallows around a campfire. Either by themselves, or making s'mores - grownups do that all the time, around a home fire pit as well as camping.
SashaKemper@reddit
Marshmallows and graham crackers are very lightweight and a tasty treat after hiking into camp. 10/10 first night snack.
KrispyAvocado@reddit
I don’t like roasted marshmallows or s’mores, but I’ve been to many a campfire with adults only where marshmallows are being roasted.
QuigonSeamus@reddit
I always make a big fire and always make s’mores regardless of if theirs kids there or not because getting older doesn’t and shouldn’t mean becoming boring.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Like a barbeque is there a smores master it is it every person got themselves?
YourOwnPunkyBrewster@reddit
Everyone probably considers themselves the s’more master😅. But in general, no—everyone does their own. Often times (in my experience) it’s the mom who holds the Hersheys on the Graham cracker waiting for whatever kid brings them their roasted marshmallow. Personally, I’ve never seen my dad do this or roast one himself…he’s more likely to sit back with a beer, and one of the kids would make him one. There is no real expertise to this. And yes. Finding your own stick was part of the fun.
Disastrous-Group3390@reddit
I like the division of labor-(I’m Dad.) I do some task I’m either good at or others prefer not to do-drive the truck, get the firewood, build the fire, set up chairs, set up tents (all this varies due to setting-our back yard firepit, a firepit at something like a rented cabin, camping in a park or Scout Camp, camping in unimproved area like National Forest.) I don’t like the sticky melty marshmallow on my hands and everything I touch after, so I drink beer, tend the fire and wait for my sweet wife or a child to make one for me.
dadsgoingtoprison@reddit
This is why my husband refused to go camping after our son stopped being in boy scouts. He said he was tired of having to do all the heavy stuff.
YourOwnPunkyBrewster@reddit
That’s what makes a good family—knowing your strengths! Now that I think back—you’re right—my dad would have been the one in charge of marshmallow stick finding and wood gathering. 😋
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
A well oiled machine...
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Dads, always finding the easy route to a good time.... (unless it is running the barbeque in which case they have to be suave and controlled in the face of fire and ash)
aculady@reddit
If you are not an American, don't use Hershey's chocolate. It will taste like vomit to you. Use something like Ghirardelli squares. I am an American and even I don't use Hershey's. Honey Maid / Keebler's graham crackers are definitely preferred, though.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
We have some very nice chocolates here in the UK but I don't know what contributes to the unique smores taste.
aculady@reddit
Any good milk or dark chocolate will be fine.
QuigonSeamus@reddit
As an American I do second this. Our chocolate is a little wack lol. That being said, I use thin peanut butter cups instead of chocolate. Highly recommend!
jvc1011@reddit
My dad was the s’mores guy. My mom doesn’t care for them, and he was always the messy sugary food fun person anyway. But also, I’m an only, so there wasn’t a ton of setup.
dongalorian@reddit
Typically everyone roasts their own marshmallows. Some people like them more burnt, others like them lightly toasted.
Human-Ad8198@reddit
"Getting older is mandatory, growing up is optional."
At least to a degree.
soonerpgh@reddit
Nope, I don't care for marshmallow. Swerts of any kind are ki d of not my thing, really. I'm much happier with a savory snack, so if others with me want them, I'll have them, and maybe eat one, but usually I go for a bag of chips or something.
dadsgoingtoprison@reddit
We have marshmallows sitting on our hearth in the living room during the cold months. When my kids were younger they would roast marshmallows over a damn candle. In the houses I’ve lived in that had a gas stove marshmallows would be roasted on the stove top. Right now my best friend and I are planning a bonfire in a couple of weeks. I’m to bring the hot dogs and marshmallows, he’s bringing the beer. If there’s a fire there’s going to be marshmallows. It’s the rules.
SkyPork@reddit
HELL yes. The kid will only get some of my toasted marshmallows if she's been very well-behaved. They're fucking delicious.
The marshmallows, I mean.
Jas62021@reddit
Yes!
Present_Singer8827@reddit
I roast marshmallows at home, over my electric stove, to make s’mores. Children ain’t got nuthin to do with a good ole s’more.
mekoRascal@reddit
I love smores, but the components keep getting more expensive, I don't get them much anymore.
jarredjs2@reddit
Yes and I have smores for breakfast while I’m at it
AffectionateSoup6965@reddit
Yes. They make roasting forks just for this so you don’t have to use a stick. Idk what they are called, but we call them the marshmallow stick.
NoneOfThisMatters_XO@reddit
I do but I’m a big back who likes s’mores
Toria165@reddit
100#! If there’s a fire, marshmallows will be toasted and I’m 60 yrs old!
No-You5550@reddit
If they like them they show up at the fire with a little kit, no twig looking needed. But if they don't like them they don't.
glowybutterfly@reddit
Building a campfire without roasting a marshmallow has got to be some sort of crime.
MechanicalGodzilla@reddit
I haven't been camping without at least one of my kids in something like 15 years, so ... no? But I probably would if I ever went camping without them.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Does that mean you deny your kids smores?
MechanicalGodzilla@reddit
No, we make smores and toast marshmallows all the time. Your question was if I roast marshmallows if I don't have any kids with me, which has not been a situation I have been in for the past couple decades.
BreadPuddding@reddit
Yes.
only_because_I_can@reddit
I always pack marshmallows to cook over the open fire when camping. It's tradition even without kids along.
eddiegordo83@reddit
I dont camp. But i do roast marshmallows on my gas stove at home by myself all the time. Roasted marshmallows are delicious.
lfxlPassionz@reddit
Usually it's hot dogs and s'mores. S'mores require roasting marshmallows.
Personally, I prefer a mix of this and more elaborate meals because I cook as a hobby but the tradition is hot dogs and marshmallows.
We also usually buy sticks because there are not a lot of sticks that can hold a hot dog without breaking from the weight. Often we have metal sticks that are reusable.
hornedcorner@reddit
No. I’m not that big into toasted marshmallows or s’mores. I do go camping often, but those things are never on my mind.
On_my_last_spoon@reddit
There is no age limit for roasting marshmallows!
lets-snuggle@reddit
If there’s a fire pit, I am bringing marshmallows. I’m 25 lol
Sad_Sympathy_9432@reddit
You need Hershey’s bars and graham crackers too! S’mores
Jclo9617@reddit
Roasted marshmallows are for everyone, and are often preceded by roasted hotdogs.
Humble_Plate_2733@reddit
S’more making is also a novelty activity that adults do at special events, like fundraisers and weddings and such. A lot of hotels I’ve been to have some kind of open flame bonfire-type thing in the pool area where they host an early-evening s’mores bar with marshmallows, an assortment of chocolate, graham crackers, and long skewers for roasting your marshmallow.
FrostRose172@reddit
Absolutely, roasted marshmallows are the best, and for all ages! And if you are doing smores, I recommend uses Reese's cups!
Diligent_Pineapple35@reddit
I make s’mores in my toaster oven and I don’t have kids
BookLuvr7@reddit
Why not? I'll sometimes bring low carb or SF biscuits/hard cookies, marshmallows, and either SF chocolate or decadent real chocolate just to reduce the sugar impact of it all.
I love playing with flavors and often choose dark chocolate, thin PB layer, chocolate mint, chocolate caramel, etc options to make it more fun.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Peanut butter sees a good addition to the recipe/ I may be being sacrilegious but does cinamon ever make it anywhere near the skewer?
BookLuvr7@reddit
It works sprinkled on the chocolate or peanut butter.
Jswazy@reddit
Yes
Old-Ad-5573@reddit
Yes, of course. Why would you not?
mattattack007@reddit
Well yeah, that's the only time you make s'mores.
modern_idiot13@reddit
I have a camper in a permanent camp spot in a campground and have been there for 16 years. I can't remember the last time we've toasted marshmallows or made smores.
Traditional-Ask-5267@reddit
I do. It’s a fun camping thing. But I use Reece’s. So good.
lomoliving@reddit
I will roast marshmallows on my stove if I'm in the mood
any-baker414@reddit
Any ages can like s'mores!! I used to have cravings for them when I was pregnant and make them in the microwave at work for me and my coworkers. And there are no kids allowed at my job. Also if I am camping I am bring the supplies to make them.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Did your kid crave smores from a very young age as a result?
any-baker414@reddit
Lol, not really! I mean they like s'mores. But I still like them better! ☺️
ZieAerialist@reddit
Uh, who skips any opportunity for real campfire s'mores? They are vastly superior to any other type of s'more and can only be gotten with camping or backyard fires, and days you can have those are limited.
I actually like toasted marshmallows as a treat by themselves very much as well.
shammy_dammy@reddit
Stick? No, we have the metal roasting forks.
arcteryx17@reddit
No. I hate marshmallows
KalamityKait2020@reddit
Dude if I have a gas stove in my kitchen I'll roast a marshmallow randomly. Sometimes you just need a burned marshmallow at 10pm on a Wednesday. It's awesome
suzemagooey@reddit
S'mores are the quintessential camping dessert suitable for any age in the US.
Hamblin113@reddit
Some adults never grow up. Will pack them if my daughter comes camping and she is in her thirties. Also if my wife comes, but rarely does. Myself I like s’more’s but do not bring the ingredients, especially if camping in bear country, can never get the marshmallow out of the beard. So basically in is individual dependent and not age.
Shot-Artichoke-4106@reddit
We have metal skewers in our camping gear for marshmallows, so no, we don't go looking for sticks. We come prepared.
cottoncandymandy@reddit
I have no kids and bring marshmallows and special toasting tools everytime I camp. Roasting marshmallows isnt a kid activity. It's just a human one.
RaymondLuxuryYacht@reddit
Absolutely making s’mores no matter what
Communal-Lipstick@reddit
Yes we do!
ScarletDarkstar@reddit
We really need to let go of the notion that adults outgrow enjoying things kids love. Yes, sometimes that happens, but more often than not we are still the same people who grew up burning marshmallows over fires, swinging on swingsets, wading in cold streams, playing games, and having fun.
I still have kids, not young ones, and we almost always have marshmallows on hand on case someone lights a fire pit. Specific store trips to get smores materials are acceptable.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Some things you never grow out of. Others you end up leaving behind because life gets in the way. But it doesn't take much to remember those younger joys.
Phoenix_Court@reddit
S'mores are my favorite dessert. No chance I'm going anywhere with a fire and not making s'mores. It doesn't stop being fun (or delicious) upon reaching a certain age.
Many people don't hunt for sticks, they bring metal two-prong ones that you can buy at the store. Less likely to catch on fire, and can be used for other things such as hotdogs. Hunting for sticks isn't unheard of though, especially since it's the more traditional way.
Traditional-Let9530@reddit
Honestly yeah, plenty of adults roast marshmallows while camping even without kids around. It’s more of a cozy camping tradition than a “children’s activity” here. People absolutely will spend a weird amount of time finding the perfect stick too, especially if they forgot skewers. TV exaggerates some stuff, but this part is pretty believable.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I think I would like to go camping in America, just for this experience....
aculady@reddit
We have tons of beautiful state and national parks that have fabulous camping, and we'd love to have you come visit, but you might want to wait until our government (hopefully) goes back to reliably understanding the difference between "tourist" and "terrorist".
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
That's what holds me back at the moment. I hope clarity comes, followed by s'mores.
Disastrous-Group3390@reddit
Come to Georgia! We’ll take you!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I may just do that....
WatermelonMachete43@reddit
My in-laws do, I dont. Marshmallow is too sweet for me.
wieldymouse@reddit
Sure, why not? They're a tasty treat.
Sloth_grl@reddit
Of course. Marshmallows for smores or on their own and sometimes hot dogs too
cofeeholik75@reddit
It the law here. Must roast marshmallows!!
1Negative_Person@reddit
No.
gatorgopher@reddit
Why waste a good charred marshmallow skin on a kid?!
KoalaGrunt0311@reddit
Yes. S'mores is rated for all children, from ages 1 to 99.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
You never grow out of them then? (Unless the gov says no?)
SteampunkExplorer@reddit
You don't grow out of cookies or ice cream, do you?
MisSpooks@reddit
I gave it some thought if there was any food Americans might grow out of eating, and I think the only real answer is anything you might feed a baby. Like breast milk/formula, and most food puree.
aculady@reddit
As you get older, you might end up back on pureed food.
KoalaGrunt0311@reddit
There are some times that campfires are prohibited due to weather conditions--those are times to reschedule a camping trip
sparksbet@reddit
in college my roommate once made a smore using our electric stove. It was messy af so I don't recommend doing that regularly, but there's always a way....
Imaginary_Ladder_917@reddit
Many adults still like them. As I’ve gotten older I don’t like them as much but I still maybe have one once a year, just for nostalgia. Where I live people have large hot dog/bratwurst potlucks as a tradition in the fall. People bring a lot of kinds of food but s’more are always available. I feel like the adults eat them less than the kids do, but some adults will. But some people bring other desserts, so a lot of people eat those instead.,
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
So, to be clear, they're like a dessert after all the other food? Not the centrepiece of food for camping trips?
ToastMate2000@reddit
They're mostly sugar. Definitely a dessert and not the main food.
cooking2recovery@reddit
Oh definitely. You break out the hot dogs and cook them over the fire first, then after hot dogs you can have some smores.
Adelaidey@reddit
Yes, of course. There's no nutritional value at all to marshmallows, they couldn't sustain a person in amy circumstance, let alone on a trip hiking around hauling camping supplies.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Nah. I was thinking more about the camping traditional values rather than the nutritional values.
ChuushaHime@reddit
S'mores are often the "centerpiece" in that they're novel and fun, so we look forward to them the most. But you still do need regular food too with some nutritional value.
Hot dogs are common for camping because they are fully cooked already, you just roast them and get a nice good char on them. Nonperishable snacks like beef jerky or trail mix (nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, etc.) are common for camping as well.
Whether you eat the smores first or the regular food first is up to you :)
No_Plankton2501@reddit
They’re definitely dessert but I think they’re the de facto dessert when camping. The rest of the meal could really be anything but if you asked most Americans what you eat for dessert while camping, we most definitely say smores.
MrD3a7h@reddit
Doctors have no jurisdiction over s'mores.
Economy_Yogurt_8037@reddit
We don’t always listen to the doctor here
Think-Rush8206@reddit
Time to find a new doctor. Lol
Silent-Victory-3861@reddit
You grow out of them when you turn 100.
st_aranel@reddit
I think when you turn 100 you're just entitled to have someone else make it for you, as many as you want.
Any-Assistance-8103@reddit
Yes when you turn 100
Puzzleheaded_Bar2236@reddit
No, we don’t grow out of them and it is nostalgic for a lot of us. do adults where you live not eat treats? What does the government have to do with it?
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Sorry, autocorrect that should have been Doc not gov.
Bright_Ices@reddit
You can edit your comment. Click the three dots by the reply arrow.
questionably_human7@reddit
Many adults toast marshmallows while camping, it is tradition. Heck my family does it for backyard bonfires.
When I was a kid we always found our own sticks (green fresh off the tree is best, but needs to be a safe tree like a maple or pine and not something toxic). Now you can just buy marshmallow roasting prongs but that is no fun.
I finally realized when I was 10 I didn't actually like eating marshmallows, toasted or not, but they are fun to light on fire so they can melt and bubble and get everywhere like little fluffy napalm bombs. I will still pack a marshmallows for a camping trip, but they're not for eating. (though my friends insist on eating the ones I give them, weirdos.)
BakedBrie1993@reddit
Marshmallow is not the first concern when camping, but if there will be a fire or fire pit, marshmallows are on the grocery list.
ToggleMoreOptions@reddit
Of course it's not the first thing. that's an odd assumption.
But yeah after you get the tent set up before it gets dark you find a nice roasting stick. I've seen metal rods for roasting hot dogs but why?
rustybrazenfire@reddit
I camp fairly often as an adult with no kids. I always bring a bag of Marshmallows, though they are never the main thing I'm eating. I also have bought marshmallow stick that are telescopic (extendable).
I don't get that perfect burnt sugar flavor outside of camping, and it's something I enjoy. I also don't usually buy sweets, so it is a special treat.
AmishAngst@reddit
Do I toast marshmallows as a grown adult if no kids are present. Hell yes.
I don't go looking for sticks though. We own stainless steel roasting sticks.
biggest-damn-potato@reddit
No, because I hate marshmallows
But some people do
limbodog@reddit
I have. But only because I generally have someone with me who has never done it before because it's not popular in their home country
I have since seen someone taking a peanutbutter cup, but it on a skewer, and then dip it in marshmallow fluff and toast that (on youtube) and I may have to try that myself just to see.
silicontruffle@reddit
Usually it's going to be a nice steak, drinking and loud music. Might mix in revving dirt bikes and shooting guns.
outloud230@reddit
Hear me out: take a Rolo and stuff it into a big marshmallow and roast that. Heavenly!
macoafi@reddit
I took marshmallows and graham crackers with me to Buenos Aires because I knew there would be hot coals left after the asado with my colleagues. A group of 4 Argentines learned about s'mores during half-time of the Uruguay-Argentina game.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Furthering international relations one smore at a time....
Comfortable-Race-547@reddit
Of course it's great for luring in children
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
😂
poWdereddonUtsplz@reddit
As an avid hiker/camper I bring my own stick. They make collapsable metal ones like and extendable fondue fork for that purpose. Since not all sticks are friendly (poison oak etc) its better to BYO.
But really I think most people do s'mores. It's like you'd be missing the best part of the trip if you don't, especiall if you bring kids.
Ghoulish_kitten@reddit
I roast marshmallows over my stove at home sometimes.
Im 41 and child free but not fully by choice.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
The kid in us all seems to come out round the camp fire.
lantana98@reddit
Heck yeah!
Salt_Ad_9976@reddit
Just burned some brush last week. Didn't need a marshmallow stick because I have a metal one just for this purpose. Kids came out and caught me, so I had to share.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Sharing is caring
CatPurrsonNo1@reddit
This conversation is making me crave toasted marshmallows and s’mores! Toasted marshmallows alone are delicious! Add chocolate and graham crackers? OMG.
I wasn’t hungry until I started reading this thread!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I now have a craving for smores too.
manokpsa@reddit
Not always when camping, but you just unlocked a memory for me. Thanksgiving, 2008, Bagram Afghanistan. We were allowed to make a fire in a metal trash barrel and some officer brought marshmallows for us to roast. I have no idea why, not like it's a Thanksgiving tradition, as far as I know. It was fun. I haven't been diagnosed with cancer, so far, so maybe nothing weird had been put in that barrel. Might have been a new one. 😂
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
That's some memory.
AnAntsyHalfling@reddit
As someone who camps and does pit fires at home/at friends', yes, we do s'mores without children present
SixFeet-CloserToHell@reddit
First food thing? No, I’m an adult who needs real food. Probably the first and only sweet, dessert type food? Definitely
Zenthane@reddit
Only if we're high and making smores
Major_Barnacle_2212@reddit
Absolutely
Ayla1313@reddit
Yes. They're so good.
NemeanMiniLion@reddit
Sometimes yeah. I like to have them with us anyway if we want some. Doesn't always happen. I like to roast the best marshmallow I can then stick a piece of chocolate inside to melt. I don't typically do the entire snore but sometimes do! Camping might happen once or twice a year for me on average.
morgaine_silver_hair@reddit
Of course, why wouldn’t you?
ketamineburner@reddit
Yes, this is a very normal and common part of American camping.
BananaJelloXlii@reddit
I just light the bag on fire and then pick out the melted plastic.
UntidyVenus@reddit
My husband works for a 5 star full service hotel with outdoor fire pits, they sell house made marshmallows, house made graham crackers and imported chocolate kits to adults only, as adults are the only ones allowed near the fire pits
Legitimate-State8652@reddit
Yes, have done so on work retreats or just hanging out with my wife.
wooq@reddit
Yes. S'mores go good with spiced rum.
SalishSeaSweetie@reddit
We, 2 adults, always bring marshmallows. But finding marshmallow sticks once we are at our site is not on the top 10 list.
slingshot91@reddit
I got together with adult friends (all over 35) the other day with the express purpose of making s’mores.
Ok_Preference6999@reddit
Bruh I be making smores on my stove top 🤣
PSA never go shopping when you're hungry. You'll see the marshmallows and all the sudden have a NEED for smores 😅
TeacupCollector2011@reddit
Retired teacher here. I used to buy s'more ingredients and make them in my classroom microwave for my students. I had a lot of immigrant students who had never heard of s'more, so it was one of my "learning objectives." Met that goal 100% of the time!
Then_Double8677@reddit
YES.
ech0cide@reddit
Why would it matter if you have kids with you? Toasted marshmallows are delicious and not something that just kids do. Makes it even better if you have some chocolate bars and graham crackers for s'mores!
Tinkerfan57912@reddit
I don’t camp, but we have a fire pit I in the back yard. We roast marshmallows every time we are out there. it’s fun.
Ok_Jackfruit2612@reddit
Yes, but we always brought wire coat hangers rather than using sticks. IDK why.
Enough-Squirrel3097@reddit
Not just marshmallows, s'mores!
Sweaty-Blacksmith572@reddit
Of course!
GozyNYR@reddit
I have a fire pit in my backyard. I’m a 44 year old empty nester. I roast marshmallows a few times a week! And ALWAYS when camping.
(My kids hate marshmallows, so if they’re around? More for me!)
Stonerkittylady420@reddit
Marshmallows are for everyone.
lostmynameandpasword@reddit
Shit, I’ll roast marshmallows in my backyard! I’ve even roasted marshmallows over a burner on my stove.
SpaceCatz03@reddit
Obvs
blockheadartist@reddit
Yes. Because it won’t burn from someone’s kid pushing it into direct flame.
Julianalexidor@reddit
Absolutely.
inwondermentofwinter@reddit
Yes. In fact, jt was only as an adult i discovered the joy of peanut butter in my smores
spring13@reddit
Marshmallows are for everyone
tcrhs@reddit
I don’t camp.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
But do you smore?
tcrhs@reddit
No.
CupBeEmpty@reddit
Making s’mores of for all mankind. Children to great grandma.
ionmoon@reddit
Yes. Except I have metal sticks specifically for marshmallows that I keep packed with my camping gear.
BroCanWeGetLROTNOG@reddit
Yep
redcoral-s@reddit
Im fully a grad student and was at a cookout hosted ny professors, and we had a whole smores set up
rinky79@reddit
Are s'mores the first camping food I think of? No.
Do I take the supplies for s'mores on the trip and make sure to pack the marshmallow roasting sticks in with all my other camping kitchen shit? Yes.
New_Sun6390@reddit
Yes. S'mores are the ultimate camping sweet treat.
Lovebeingadad54321@reddit
FUCK YEAH!! Marshmallows and S’Mores are an integral part of a camping trip, regardless of age. I just wash them down with a beer as an adult.
Available-Egg-2380@reddit
Yes. I love roasted marshmallows and will stick them on a bamboo skewer and roast marshmallows over my electric oven burners at 3am because I woke up with a craving. Don't need kids to enjoy something delicious and simple
JonMatrix@reddit
I’m sure some people will go looking for sticks, but I’ve always just bought bamboo skewers from the store. They’re cheap and get the job done.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I see a lot of stick pictures here on reddit, I always thought they were related to marshmallow usage.
pastrymom@reddit
We use metal coat hangers too.
cheekmo_52@reddit
I generally do not go camping without someone taking their kids along. The two times I have camped with just other adults, I have not toasted marshmallows. (And that is too small a sample size to extrapolate from.)
Araxanna@reddit
Yes. No other comments.
Extra_Routine_6603@reddit
As a grown ass man I still toast marshmallows and make smores because they are delicious and I don't care how far they make me. I actually just bought a big bag last week for this exact reason.
FenisDembo82@reddit
We used to go on big, group camp outs and made s'mores. We had no kids with us but plenty of pot.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Pot and weed, munchies and an antidote to munchies....
Odd-Percentage-4084@reddit
Why have a fire, if not for making smores?
pastrymom@reddit
You’d better believe that when kids make s’more’s, the parents are doing it too. I don’t go without my children, but it’s definitely not limited to children at all.
Fun fact- you can accomplish this in an air fryer too.
aeyockey@reddit
No because I don’t like them. But even if I did like them I probably wouldn’t
Prize_Consequence568@reddit
"Do you roast marshmallows when camping if you don't have any kids with you?"
Why wouldn't we?
SavannahInChicago@reddit
We would do this during parties out in the boonies when we lit bonfires
_haha_oh_wow_@reddit
Sometimes, but if I'm camping without kids I'm more likely to be backpacking and might not bring marshmallows. They're delicious, but also bulky and sticky.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
And attract other animals so it seems they need to be eaten quick?
_haha_oh_wow_@reddit
That would be smart.
PeanutterButter101@reddit
I only did it a few times when I was in the boy scouts, I haven't camped since then.
Wadsworth_McStumpy@reddit
Of course. Any time you have a fire and marshmallows, you toast them.
I mean, ideally it's not a burning house, but if you happen to be driving past with marshmallows...
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
You miss every shot you don't take...
williamstarr@reddit
The outrage when I was old enough to learn these mfers always waited for the kids to go inside for the night before they pulled out the marshmallows. Betrayed. Worst family ever.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I hope you haven't passed that generational betrayal on.
Urfubar12@reddit
Smores are a must at every bonfire. The kids get the cheap chocolate and marshmallows and the adults get the fancy stuff because let’s be honest…we are doing all the work putting those sticky delicious messes together and deserve the good stuff haha
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Do s'mores ever come prepackaged or is that a no no?
Urfubar12@reddit
Never prepackaged but store will usually have all the goodies in the same spot in the summer because they are so insanely popular. You should make some! You will love them!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I need an American campsite and good fire going. I may be some time...
TurquoiseHummingbird@reddit
Yes people commonly make smores while camping, but a lot of people bring skewers to cook the marshmallows on (rather than finding a stick)
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Is that adult camping? If there are kids then do they get tasked with stick retrieval?
lexicon951@reddit
Kids can use sticks if they want but most people who plan to make s’mores buy metal skewers to use (they aren’t expensive), just like if you’re grilling you buy grill utensils. The metal skewers are also used for hot dogs so they’re multi-purpose
WideHuckleberry1@reddit
S'mores are delicious sugar bombs. I firmly believe the only reason any American would ever turn them down is because they're health conscious and have far more willpower than me.
So to answer your question, yes, pretty much every way you can slice Americans, they'll do s'mores.
Imightbeafanofthis@reddit
When I was a kid, if we went camping it was accompanied by strenuous hiking into backcountry. Marshmallows were not usually an item, but hot dogs often were. We would roast them over the fire. As I recall, we usually used pine or willow branches. This reminded me of the oleander poisoning urban myth.
According to Snopes, the urban myth about oleander poisoning goes back the mid 19th century and Europe, but it is a well known cautionary tale to campers about avoiding oleander, a flowering shrub with pink or white flowers. Oleander is indeed very poisonous, but according to Snopes, a study done using oleander skewers and hot dogs resulted in the hot dogs not containing enough oleandrin to kill. There would be even less on marshmallows presumably, since they are much smaller. Nevertheless, it's probably best to avoid using them for skewers because oleandrin can kill you. Better safe than sorry -- or dead.
DragonSurferEGO@reddit
Yes
Aprils-Fool@reddit
It’s not the first food I think of, but yes, I eat roasted marshmallows while camping without kids. Adults like sweets, too!
TwoTurtlesToo@reddit
Yes. Full stop. Next question.
avicia@reddit
I like toasted marshsmallows but I camp like twice a month - for events in my hobby. I see a lot of fires, I maybe toast a marshmallow once or twice a year. A lot of people do enjoy it as a camping ritual - maybe even more now most Americans don’t have a ritual of social singing in front of the fire.. If I have people new to camping with me I definitely have marshmallows and their beverage of choice.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Is the choice beer? What do kids like with their smores?
avicia@reddit
Oh I saw one of your other questions up thread - mostly people toast their own but new adults and kids get supervision - don’t put it directly in the flame if they don’t want to burn it. Don’t wave a flaming marshmallow around - molten burning marshmallow might fling off and burn someone, you blow out a burning marshmallow - don’t wave. You can also slip off the toasted coating and eat that and toast the same marshmallow again. There’s lore ;) cheap store brand instead of name brand ingredients often don’t taste or perform as well - but chocolate here has been getting worse. When you visit I might bring your favorite plain chocolate with you!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Milk chocolate seems the preference here. Graham crackers and larger marshmallows for the perfect smore? With a beer?
avicia@reddit
Adult beverages for the adults - beer, wine, hard cider, flavored seltzer without alcohol - whatever. My kids don’t get soda all the time so they think that’s fun. But kids also get excited about hot chocolate outdoors or warm spiced apple cider (here that’s unfiltered apple juice without alcohol)
jrice138@reddit
Nah marshmallows are kind of gross.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Don't say that too loudly...
GrayEagle825@reddit
Marshmallows are pretty nasty. I never eat them, even when my kids were little.
ghoulthebraineater@reddit
Fuck yeah.
Foxy_locksy1704@reddit
We went camping for our honeymoon two married adults and yes we brought marshmallows to toast over our campfire.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
True love eh...
Foxy_locksy1704@reddit
It was really fun, until he got food poisoning from the restaurant in the nearby town we went too. After that he was understandably miserable, so we went home.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Short honey moon but it helped bring you closer. Perfect.
IllustriousRanger934@reddit
To keep it real with you:
Plenty of Americans roast marshmallows or make smores when they go camping or have a fire. But in my personal opinion, neither are that good. S’mores are extremely messy and overly sugary. Marshmallows are straight sugar, and toasting them doesn’t really add anything other than making them warm and gelatinous.
I’m willing to wager that most people who try it or do it end up with a forgetting bag of half eaten marshmallows in a ziplock bag deep in the back of a cabinet somewhere.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Hobo dinners, very visual description.
IllustriousRanger934@reddit
It’s essentially just food packed in tinfoil that you throw on the coals to cook. Like a one pot meal.
Potatoes, sliced onions, and ground beef or sausage is probably the most common kind.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
An efficient meal.
TresWhat@reddit
Yes. 100%. No kids needed. Roasting marshmallows is fun and s’mores are delicious!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
I am discovering that this a truth that's held quite dear.
Capable_Suit_7335@reddit
So do other countries not camp? Cooking over an outdoor fire has been something humans have done since fire was discovered.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Camp yes but smores, not necessarily.
Angsty_Potatos@reddit
Yes because smoores are good for me
Necessary_Giraffe_66@reddit
My wife and I did before we had kids. S’mores taste good and it’s fun to do. There’s no age limit.
Bastyra2016@reddit
My friend’s daughter (she’s 29 though) brings marshmallows when we camp. It’s not something I think to do. I like them ok but there are 100 desserts I prefer.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
But do any of them work as well as smores at a campsite?
purplishfluffyclouds@reddit
Do you gatekeep food in your country?
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Nope. But other country traditions are always interesting.
campingcatsnchz@reddit
I prefer “hobo pies” as a dessert when camping but marshmallows are faster and lower cal so sometimes I bring them instead. No cleanup is nice.
REC_HLTH@reddit
I don’t camp, but if I did, marshmallows would definitely be involved.
Designer_Professor_4@reddit
I admit we prefer roasting kids, but marshmallows will do in a pinch.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
🤣
Freethecaterpillar-3@reddit
Of course! I even have special tasting sticks.
Children might be one small reason to do fun things, but they are certainly not the only reason. And even better, without kids around I don’t have to share my marshmallows, or worry about them setting themselves on fire. Win win really.
animepuppyluvr@reddit
Ill make just 2 in the oven for my husband and I lol
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
A versatile treat for all occasions.
Aware-Acanthisitta-8@reddit
We have special metal skewers with a telescope handle (meaning they expand to about 2.5 in length) so we no longer need to hunt for a special stick. We have 6 and they are used every camping trip by adults and kids. We also use them to roast sausages or hot dogs over the fire if needed like it but their primary purpose is for s'mores.
Next_Ad_4165@reddit
Yes. Sometimes I even roast them at home over a burner on my stove (gas stove). They are yummy!
Brilliant_Award2877@reddit
Always smores. I make em at home with sterno, and a bamboo skewer
ByronScottJones@reddit
Yes, and I bring extra when children are present. Still all for me of course; they can learn to bring their own.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Life's little initiations...
redjessa@reddit
Oh yes. My husband loves roasting marshmallows and making smokes when we camp. My friends as well. I don't really like marshmallows. We have special metal sticks just for mmarshmallows in the gear box.
Gypsysinner666@reddit
Me and my wife put them on forks and roast them on the stove...
AllSoulsNight@reddit
There are little s'more kits with burners where you can make them at home. People who love them will eat them anywhere
Dalton387@reddit
There isn’t an age limit on it. It’s just an easy, fun dessert.
I don’t plan my trips around it, but if I think about it, it’s easy to grab the stuff.
Affectionate-Use6412@reddit
Of course! Camping means 'smores are basically required and finding the right stick is essential
narwhal_platypus@reddit
Yes. 100% yes. I do it more without a child than I would with a child.
Crownhilldigger1@reddit
Yes
Seidhr96@reddit
Are you really camping if you don’t have s’mores? I think not.
Brief-Hat-8140@reddit
I have roasted marshmallows best without children with me. I don’t know if I’ve done it while camping specifically.
stellarduchess@reddit
Yup
Luckypenny4683@reddit
Hell yeah brother
melonball6@reddit
Do adults roast marshmallows without kids there: Yes
Is the first thing I think of for camping food marshmallows? No, Maybe 3rd thing.
Do you start your camping evening looking for the right stick? No. I usually look for the stick when it's time to roast and I grab whatever.
c0147@reddit
Adults can eat marshmallows
Adorable-Growth-6551@reddit
Roasted marshmallows are delicious
DontH8DaPlaya@reddit
Na make banana boats. Foil, banana, cut banana into a boat shape by splitting the top then you stuff it with mini mashmellos and choc chips. Fool the banana and set in fire. Later you get melty goodness. Needs spoon
GlitterberrySoup@reddit
These are awesome! We discovered them a few years ago. Also, for an adult treat, just dip that roasted marshmallow in a mug of Bailey's. It's like burnt caramel. 🤌🏼
FoggyGoodwin@reddit
When Jet-Puffed came out w their Jumbo marshmallows, I bought a bag to take to adults only camp and made forks from fly swatter handles like my dad did for roasting them over our campfire. We had to roast them in layers they were so big.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Dedication.
insecurecharm@reddit
I have roasted marshmallows over a candle in my apartment years ago. Roasted marshmallows slap.
HackDaddy85@reddit
Fire = Smores
lisasimpsonfan@reddit
Sitting around a bonfire at night is a normal Spring thru Fall activity for a lot of places. We do it all the time. We don't always have marshmallows but do occasionally. Sometimes we roast other food too like hotdogs or put foil wrapped potatoes or corn in the coals.
filkerdave@reddit
Hell yes. Marshmallows are awesome.
count-brass@reddit
My wife and I used to fire up the chiminea in the back yard and sit around toasting marshmallows. She even got some special long metal fork things. I know sticks are de rigueur for this but we were more glamping than camping. :)
Fae-SailorStupider@reddit
Me and husband always bring s'mores stuff when we go camping, even when we dont have the kids with us.
Inside_Ad9026@reddit
I go camping all the time and have never roasted a marshmallow in my life.
rawbface@reddit
Hell yeah. Marshmallows aren't just for kids.
HorseFeathersFur@reddit
Yes, absolutely we do!!
MajesticBread9147@reddit
Yes, marshmallows are usually my backup if I forget to bring children to roast.
GhostOfJamesStrang@reddit
I don't if its just me...but you better believe that if the kids start roasting them, I am going to make a smore for myself.
CPD1960@reddit
Simpsons roasting on an open fire.
HyperXanadu@reddit
You think we do it for the kids in the first place? 🤣
SardonicHistory@reddit
Adults can eat shit too
No_Turnip_1901@reddit
Oh hell yah
dinkeydonuts@reddit
I have my own extendable forks. I have marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bars, peanut butter cups, mint thins, etc. I have my own “kit box” and I’ll bring it to any open fire event. I have enough to share.
sundancer2788@reddit
Tbh I used to but I try not to eat that much sugar anymore.
ALauCat@reddit
I was at a fancy party in a hotel a few weeks ago and they had a s’mores station for desert. The fire was just a row on sterno cans but people were enjoying it.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
That is a strange sounding thing. Smores at fancy do must have been a preference of whoevers party it was. Nice of them to share it with everyone and I am sure the guests did enjoy it.
ALauCat@reddit
I was working the event so I didn’t get to indulge. My company provides the entertainment and it’s an annual thing. They always have the best food. I didn’t have time for dinner beforehand so smelling it was like torture.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
And I bet they all got eaten so no chance of left overs.
Material-Ice9082@reddit
It really depends if you like marshmallows that much i guess? I dont like sweets so i dont bring marshmallows.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Do you still search for a stick or do something else reminiscent if childhood camping?
Human-Ad8198@reddit
I bought long metal, extendable, 2 prong, wooden handled skewers specifically for roasting marshmallows.
I don't eat s'mores, can't stand graham crackers. My family does, I've learned to adapt. I make a smaller version using nilla wafers, or sometimes I'll make sugar cookies, or chocolate chip cookies to use.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
There's a lot of sweetness in a smore. So I assume it's easy to overindulge.
prplpassions@reddit
Yes. Sometimes we do smores and sometimes we just roast marshmallows.
No-Profession422@reddit
My wife and I still do it sometimes when we camp. We get the S'mores our dog gets a graham cracker.
Ebemi@reddit
I have no kids and I have my own telescoping roasting skewer for marshmallow roasting.
papercranium@reddit
Not every time, but sometimes! They're not my favorite, but I usually have s'mores once a summer or so. (And I go to a fair number of bonfires.) If I was more of a fan of them, I'd bring the ingredients myself and it wouldn't be seen as weird.
Marmatus@reddit
Yes, but I have never cooked food on a literal stick found outdoors, and I never would. You can buy metal skewers that are made for that purpose.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
But have still found good sticks?
SlippingAwayWith@reddit
Why do you lot put normal words in quotation marks?
Athrynne@reddit
Yes, they are our primary camping dessert. I personally don't bother making s'mores, I will buy the giant jumbo marshmallows and toast them, you get more chances for a toasty layer with them.
Thanks for this thread, it's reminded me to buy some for my upcoming camping trip!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
My pleasure is your marshmallow...
penguin_0618@reddit
I went to a bachelorette party where we made s’mores. My husband and I sometimes rent a cabin and spend a long weekend in Vermont or New Hampshire with another couple and we usually make s’mores. They’re good food.
I wouldn’t say it’s the first food I think of, but it’s going on the list for sure. The first thing I do isn’t look around for a stick, I usually wait until it’s time to roast marshmallows and then have to look in the dark. Fancy people buy sticks.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
"fancy people".... 😎
futurearmysolider@reddit
We make smores using the broil function on the oven as a special treat when my cousins and I get together.
When camping we don’t use wooden sticks we have metal ones that are kept in the camper (it’s called a camp fork). When I was a kid my parents got a camp cooker to make smores using the sandwiches (with bread instead of graham crackers) and those were only for them.
AtheneSchmidt@reddit
I'm 40, and I honestly don't even see the point of going camping if you don't get to have a fire, marshmallows, s'mores, and fire baked potatoes.
In fact, I kind of hate camping (I'm allergic to most of nature.) but I love a good fire pit or fire place fire, and usually, those mean having marshmallows at minimum.
Also, this is my opinion whether or not there are kids at the fire. And my family usually brings 2 pronged skewers so that we can roast multiple marshmallows at once.
Lanky-Antelope7006@reddit
I don't even make a fire unless my kids or grandkids are with us.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Ah I see. So the TV stuff is just a sort of nostalgic shorthand?
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess-@reddit
i think camping and bonfires are more of a southern and midwestern US thing in my experience. the coastal states aren’t that into it.
AuntieWatermelon@reddit
mass, nh, and maine have a huge camping culture!
ScienceWasLove@reddit
Camping is very big in PA, NY, NH, ME, VT, MD.
YourOwnPunkyBrewster@reddit
And every other state not mentioned above.
YourOwnPunkyBrewster@reddit
What??!!! Where in the PNW?! I’m in Oregon, and we for sure do.
Bright_Ices@reddit
Also a western thing. Including coastal states. The coastal states along the pacific are 360-400 miles wide. There’s a ton of camping in west coast states and in the landlocked western states that are west of the Midwest.
ElleM848645@reddit
New England would like a word. NH is huge on camping.
AnnofAvonlea@reddit
People in the Pacific NW do a lot of camping too.
Puzzleheaded_Bar2236@reddit
No this person is the exception to the norm. Adults have fires all the time whether camping or just in the backyard. Theres something about sitting around a fire.
jda404@reddit
Yep no kids here, but we have regularly have fires in the summer where we cook things like hotdogs, mountain pies, and s'mores.
bloobityblu@reddit
It's really not- if you read the vast majority of replies, many people do roast marshmallows when camping or using a campfire.
It's also a little quirky the way the scene in Twin Peaks plays out, with two grown, sober professional men roasting marshmallows over a campfire.
So it's both nostalgic and also a real thing people do sometimes, when family or a group of people build a campfire or bonfire together.
schmatteganai@reddit
Lots of people do, lots of people don't. It depends on preference and whether they planned ahead to bring s'mores supplies.
I don't usually bring s'mores supplies on backpacking trips (although I will occasionally if the group likes them), but I do for car-camping trips and bonfires. I've also roasted marshmallows over the stove before. If there's a fire ban, I usually don't bring s'mores supplies.
Squirrels and bears like marshmallows, so you need to finish them the first night or be strategic about where you store the leftovers., and anything with marshmallow left on it.
People are slightly more likely to do this if children are in attendance, but only slightly.
Excellent-Gold1905@reddit
Generally the sorts of people who are going to bring marshmallows to every campfire are also the sort of have dedicate tools to roast them with (metal poles with nice handles) that also often double up for hand roasting hotdogs and other things.
Doing it on a stick seems much more improvised and/or associated with kids outings like cub scouts and such.
ContributionDapper84@reddit
Yes
seifd@reddit
I do toast marshmallows as an adult. I don't need to look for a stick because I have metal toasting forks I use.
Phantomtastic@reddit
I’m more of a banana boat guy but some roasted marshmallows go down nice at the end of the day.
Alarming-Chemistry27@reddit
Better option:
Make the s'mores and double wrap in foil, toss into some coals for a few minutes. Even better
PintoOct24@reddit
For my fellow Americans, has anyone seen coconut covered marshmallows around in stores? I used to get them in the early 2000s and I’ve been looking for them for ages. They were very tasty roasted.
Live_Barracuda1113@reddit
Yes!!!! They are delicious.
Quirky-Invite7664@reddit
My husband and I just went camping over the weekend and roasted marshmallows, lol.
Outlaw_Josie_Snails@reddit
Yes, some people do. For some, it is a traditional that is continued into adulthood. It is fun and nostalgic.
Probably not the "first thing" on everyone's to-do list.
I imagine the first thing many do is build a campfire, have some drinks, and cook food. Then they find a stick. Or, some families may bring their own marshmallow prongs if they are "fancy."
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Ah but what do you do? I get the general impression that marshmallows and smores are a tradition, no matter what age or composition of the camping group, while sticks may have gone into the past with the rise of skewers and bamboo etc.
ObjectiveElefant@reddit
My friend, watch a video on how to make s’mores, try it and let us know how old you’ll be when that stops hitting 😉. Make sure to use a chocolate you like, but one that will melt fairly easily (so a milk chocolate). Or you can even try a plain toasted marshmallow and see if you think that you’d want to have an excuse to eat those at any and every event involving a fire. There’s definitely a nostalgia factor but full grown adults will definitely be able to appreciate these delicacies for the first time as well. I think we’d all love if you would do that and report back!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Now, you see, that just makes me want to come on over to the states and go camping, theres nowhere else I could justify it and have the true exerience
toastforscience@reddit
The majority of the time I've made s'mores has been with no children present. I go to extreme lengths to be able to make them!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Do you carry a campfire kit and skewers in your back pocket for all occassions?
DoodleBug19-88@reddit
No, but that’s because I don’t like marshmallows. 🤭
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Do you have another tradition for your camping trips?
Theslowestmarathoner@reddit
Yes of course!!
Vast-Combination4046@reddit
The most important part of roasting marshmallows is most areas ban bon fires but allow cooking fires so as long as you have marshmallows and hotdogs you can have a bonfire.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
That's a good workaround.
LABELyourPHOTOS@reddit
I don't. We camp a lot and love the "event" of making marshmallows. We don't eat too many but it is a big competition with judging and awarding marshmallows.
And getting a marshmallow stick is a thing, but a more important task is getting your fire poking stick.
The evening is hours in front of the fire listening to waves and watching the stars - adjusting the fire, talking, drinking, and edibles is the only thing we do for about 4 hours.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Fire poking sticks are where I am at currently in the uk. Without one of those there is no real fire. But I would hope to ascend to a roasting stick at some point, ideally in America just for the experience.
surgeryboy7@reddit
Yes
Original_Wazilla@reddit
My husband and I are not the type to bring smores makings, but if someone else does, we will partake!
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
It would be rude not to...
takeitawaygirls@reddit
I got an indoor marshmallow roasting kit for Christmas. Love it.
Also, most people now use reusable metal marshmallow skewers they have bought specifically for that purpose. Finding sticks is mostly a thing of the past.
kam_pra@reddit (OP)
Indoor marshmallow roasting kit .... perfect for the snowier, wetter nights of the year I suppose.
Fluffy-kitten28@reddit
Smores are such a fun unique treat, we’re making them. Kids or no kids.
FlippingPossum@reddit
Sometimes. But, it puts me into a rice crispies cycle to use up extra marshmallows. These days, I'd rather roast Starbursts as they have individual wrappers.
WiseQuarter3250@reddit
Most of the spots I visit have burn bans due to fire danger, so there's no campfires. But the wonderful thing about being an adult is if it's legal, and you plan for it, you can enjoy it. Life is too short not to enjoy some marshmallows.
Usually I end up using the microwave to make s'mores at home. 😅
AnswerMyThrowAways@reddit
I don't see the point of camping if you don't make a fire and roast some marshmallows. As an adult I don't do s'mores anymore because that's just too much sweetness, but I was a girl scout and even though I haven't been camping in forever now I still occasionally have a roasted marshmallow at home because I love them.
mesembryanthemum@reddit
My father hates roasted marshmallows. I don't even know how I can be related to him.
YourOwnPunkyBrewster@reddit
Is he even American then?! For shame!
Asparagus9000@reddit
Yes.
Leverkaas2516@reddit
I don't do marshmallows any more, but I DO bring sausages or some kind of frankfurter or precooked bratwurst, and I absolutely do look for at least one good stick to roast them with.
Meat, firewood, hatchet, pocketknife, sticks - these are as essential.
Bright_Ices@reddit
Absolutely!
skeinandsuffering@reddit
Fuck yes we do.
somecow@reddit
Sure. But barbecue and beer is preferred.
conradelvis@reddit
Hell yeah
Visions_of_Gideon@reddit
My partner and I are childfree and always roast marshmallows when we go camping
CosyBeluga@reddit
Yes
Rosesandbubblegum@reddit
Absolutely, I don't even wait to go camping to do that
confusedrabbit247@reddit
Hell yeah
Natural_Parfait_3344@reddit
Absolutely.
LibrarianByNight@reddit
Marshmallows have no upper age limit.
Tarilyn13@reddit
Not always, but a lot of us will. S'mores are delicious and I don't have kids so yeah I'm roasting marshmallows for myself.
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess-@reddit
anyone can eat roasted marshmallows
chaamdouthere@reddit
Yes.
Vachic09@reddit
Sometimes