S'mores

I had a craving for S’mores so I made some for my son and I. I know the traditional ingredients to make one of these yummy treats is laden with ingredients I wish to avoid like high fructose corn syrup (or corn sugar), artificial colors and hydrogenated oils/fats.

While in the Henry’s Farmer’s Market, I picked up some New Morning Honey Grahams (USDA Organic) and a bag of Elyon natural vanilla mini-marshmallows (certified Kosher). I already had some Ghirardelli all natural milk chocolate chips at home. 

We put several chocolate chips on the bottom of one graham cracker and a few marshmallows and placed them in the microwave for about 15-25 seconds just until the marshmallows puffed up a little. We put the other half of the cracker on top, smash it down gently and let it cool for about a half of a minute before we dug in. 

I know this is not the healthiest dish but you can still enjoy the treats from your childhood without sacrificing flavor. Choose products without high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, hydrogenated oils/fats or aspartame. It would be an awesome experience if I could go back in time and read the labels of these same products 20 years ago to see if they included 'shelf extender' ingredients in them. Always read labels - not just package details. 

Let's talk cost for the treat pictured

Cost for graham crackers: $3.99. Marshmallows: $2.99. Chocolate Chips: $1.99. One serving (2 full crackers (total servings in graham crackers box is 13)) costs roughly: 69 cents. We ate half of a serving. Costs even less to satisfy a sweet tooth. Don't let prices on the packages of better foods/ingredients scare you. Shop smarter. Be well!

Ingredients of graham crackers: organic wheat flour, organic graham flour, organic dried cane syrup, organic vegetable oils (safflower or sunflower), organic honey, organic molasses, leavening, sea salt, and cream of tartar [Other than honey graham crackers from Trader Joe's, I have yet to find a non-organic brand of graham crackers that do not include high fructose corn syrup.]

Ingredients of marshmallows: sugar, corn or tapioca syrup, water, kosher fish gelatin, corn or tapioca starch, and natural vanilla flavors

Ingredients of chocolate chips: milk chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, whole milk powder), cocoa butter, soy lecithin – an emulsifier, vanilla)