Last Blast of Summer: Banana Caramel S’Mores!

Already, many students are shopping for school supplies or beelining it back to school while grown-ups are beginning to resume their daily grind. The world will, once again, become a serious place from dawn-to-dusk (big collective sigh -twice).  As the sun starts to set on our summer  holiday fun, let’s go out in a blaze of gooey, sweet style by indulging in the newest twist on a classic campfire dessert–s’mores.

As an aficionado of all things s’more, I went weak at the knees upon spying Lisa Adam’s new book, “S’mores:  Gourmet Treats for Every Occasion.”  Inside are more recipes than you can shake a marshmallow roasting stick at.  Each elevate s’mores from steady-eddie vacay treats to heavenly decadent delights. All are snack-worthy but Banana Caramel S’mores are particularly perfect for that last blast of summer fun.

Banana Caramel S’Mores

Molten caramel, creamy chocolate and sweet banana come together in this gooey and delicious s’more.

2 to 3 Hershey’s Caramel Kisses

1 graham cracker, broken in half

1 marshmallow

4 banana slices 

Arrange the Kisses on half of the graham cracker and melt. The chocolate is properly melted when it begins to become soft and wet-looking—take care that you do not over-melt the chocolate, as the caramel filling can escape and spill. Roast the marshmallow. Once the chocolate has melted, remove graham cracker from heat and add sliced bananas, pressing them into the chocolate carefully. Add roasted marshmallow and top with remaining graham cracker.

Variations: Omit the Kisses and use plain milk chocolate or milk chocolate with almonds. Top the chocolate and bananas with caramel syrup before adding the roasted marshmallow.

 For a dramatic presentation, create a “banana boat” by using one large banana slice (as shown in the photo) instead of four small ones.

 Recipe courtesy of “S’mores:  Gourmet Treats for Every Occasion” by Lisa Adams and reprinted with permission of Gibbs Smith. gibbs-smith.com

Gourmet s’mores like these are best enjoyed in a seat more chic (and comfy) than a rusty folding lawn chair or a spot in the grass where fire ants hide and mosquitos hover.

I wouldn’t mind snarfing down a plate of s’mores while hanging out in the Schaumburg high leg lounger from Bradington-Young. I like its deep seat and plush cushions, plus, it has a leather cover that’s a cinch to clean should cracker crumbs or gooey marshmallow land on it instead of in your mouth.  And when you get so s’mored up that you may pop, try this. Do a power recline with the chair’s remote control. That may loosen the ol’ waistband just enough to justify another bite.

Once your s’mores sugar rush kicks in (trust me, it will), power recline up, then do a little organizing that the whole family will appreciate, especially once back-to-school starts.  The Workwell e-charge center from Hooker Furniture is a pretty problem-solver for homes with multiple portable electronic devices that need to be charge/stored (like phones, tablets, laptops and iPods).  Behind raised panel carved doors are glide-out felt-lined drawers and a built-in electric strip.  There’s also ample space on top for essentials like keys, notepads, totes and… a tray of s’mores.

Gourmet s’mores, a luxe leather seat and an easy way to organize.  That’s sweet, chic and a true feat in any home.