Growing up, our camping trips always ended with sticky fingers and chocolate-smeared faces from making s’mores. It was a messy but happy tradition that my brother and I looked forward to every summer. But let’s be honest – not everyone wants to build a campfire just to enjoy this classic treat.
That’s why this s’mores dip has become my go-to solution for satisfying those chocolate-marshmallow cravings without leaving the house. It’s as simple as throwing a few ingredients in a skillet and popping it in the oven. No mosquito bites or smoky clothes required – just all the gooey goodness you remember from those outdoor adventures.
Why You’ll Love This S’mores Dip
- Quick and easy – Ready in under 20 minutes, this dip brings the campfire experience indoors without any of the hassle or mess of traditional s’mores.
- Kid-friendly fun – Kids love helping arrange the marshmallows and choosing their favorite dippers – it’s an activity and dessert all in one!
- Simple ingredients – You only need three basic ingredients that you can easily find at any grocery store, and you probably already have them in your pantry.
- Perfect party dessert – It’s great for gatherings since everyone can dig in at once, and you can serve it year-round, no matter the weather outside.
What Kind of Chocolate Should I Use?
For s’mores dip, milk chocolate chips are your best bet since they capture that classic campfire s’mores taste we all know and love. While standard baking chips will work fine, choosing a quality brand like Guittard or Ghirardelli can make a real difference since they melt more smoothly and have a richer flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could swap in semi-sweet chocolate chips for a slightly less sweet dip, or even try dark chocolate for a more grown-up twist. Just make sure to use actual chocolate chips rather than candy melts or chocolate bars, as chips are specifically designed to melt evenly and maintain the right consistency for dipping.
Options for Substitutions
This gooey, fun dip is pretty simple, but you’ve still got some room to play around with the ingredients:
- Milk chocolate chips: While milk chocolate gives that classic s’mores taste, you can switch things up with semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate. You could also try peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips for a different spin. Just keep in mind that different chocolates melt at different rates, so watch carefully while heating.
- Marshmallows: Regular-sized marshmallows work fine if you can’t find the big ones – just use enough to cover the top of your dip. Mini marshmallows are okay too, though they tend to melt faster, so keep an eye on them. Sorry, but marshmallow fluff isn’t a great substitute here – it won’t give you that toasted top.
- Dippers: Graham crackers are classic, but feel free to experiment! Try vanilla wafers, chocolate chip cookies, pretzels, or apple slices. Really, anything that goes well with chocolate and marshmallow will work here.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The biggest challenge when making s’mores dip is managing the heat – too high temperatures will burn the chocolate and make it grainy, so always use low to medium heat and remove the skillet from the oven as soon as the marshmallows turn golden brown.
A common mistake is not preheating your cast-iron skillet before adding the chocolate, but warming it slightly helps the chocolate melt more evenly and prevents that dreaded seized-up texture – just don’t get it too hot or your chocolate will scorch.
To keep your dip from becoming too thick and difficult to scoop, avoid stirring the chocolate once it’s melting, and don’t leave the finished dip sitting out for too long as it will start to firm up; if this happens, simply pop it back in the oven for 1-2 minutes to restore that perfect, gooey consistency.
What to Serve With S’mores Dip?
While graham crackers are the classic choice for this gooey, chocolatey dip (and for good reason!), there are so many fun dipping options to try. Fresh strawberries and banana slices are perfect for those who want a fruity twist – the combination of warm chocolate and fresh fruit is just wonderful. For the cookie lovers, try serving this dip with vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or even Oreos for an extra indulgent treat. I like to set everything out on a big platter and let people mix and match their dippers, making it perfect for parties or movie nights.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: S’mores dip is best enjoyed right away while the chocolate is melty and the marshmallows are gooey! If you happen to have leftovers, cover the skillet or transfer to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Warm Up: To enjoy your leftover s’mores dip, pop it in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also place it back in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes to get those marshmallows toasty again.
Dippers: Keep your graham crackers, cookies, and fresh fruit separate from the dip and store them according to their individual needs. Graham crackers and cookies stay crisp in an airtight container at room temperature, while fruit should be kept in the fridge.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-8 minutes |
| Total Time | 10-18 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1500-1800
- Protein: 10-15 g
- Fat: 60-80 g
- Carbohydrates: 210-250 g
Ingredients
- 1 bag milk chocolate chips (prefer brands like guittard or ghirardelli for best melting)
- 1 bag big marshmallows
- Graham crackers, cookies, and assorted fruit for dipping.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to allow it to preheat while you prepare the ingredients.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate Chips
Pour the chocolate chips into an 8 or 9-inch skillet, spreading them out evenly.
Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 3-4 minutes, or until the chocolate chips are fully melted.
Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Step 3: Add and Brown the Marshmallows
Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and arrange marshmallows evenly over the melted chocolate chips.
Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown and slightly puffed.
Step 4: Serve with Dipping Options
Take the skillet out of the oven, being cautious of its heat.
Serve immediately with graham crackers, cookies, and fruit for dipping into the gooey chocolate and marshmallow mixture.
Enjoy this delicious and simple treat!