I first enjoyed the camp fire treat of a toasted marshmallow sandwiched in between two chocolate digestives way way back when I was in the Girl Guides. Heavenly indeed and such an improvement on the games we played at Brownies such as Witch’s Glue pot. Another Girl Guiding challenge was to light a miniature fire and keep it burning on a 10 pence piece (which were somewhat larger in those days), the equivalent challenge in the Brownies was how many objects could you fit into a match box.
I also remember in my first weeks as a member of the Brownies, being sent in pairs to the village phone box with 5p pieces clutched our hands to make a call to our parents, in those days a valuable life lesson, and one that made me feel terribly grown up and almost daring and bold. Nowadays phone boxes are few and far between, cost far more than 5p, and most 7 year olds I know are more competent on any model of mobile phone than I am, and many have their own phone.
Of course the chocolate, biscuit, toasted marshmallow combo is better known in the USA as a s’more, so called because you always want “some more”, and is commonly used in the UK too.
With the onset of Autumn it may not be warm enough to BBQ for much longer, so I’ve set about making a s’more in a glass. By making some simple substitutions and additions I’ve tried to make it slightly better for you, but it still contains a fair amount of sugar. Possibly not a breakfast smoothie this more of a healthy shake. Toasted oats stand in the digestives, or Graham crackers, and contain soluble fibre, the addition of bananas and a generous handful of spinach gives two of your 5 (or 7) a day and I used Sweet Freedom choc shot liquid chocolate which is low GI. All these good things surely cancel out the marshmallows?
Take care when toasting the marshmallows, it is obligatory to toast an extra one, just to check they are OK, and I have a blister on the roof of my mouth due to over eager sampling, caramelizing and flaming sugar is hot.
I am reliably informed by my friend Kip, who has a vast knowledge of all things vegan, that toasted vegan marshmallows are interchangeable with the regular ones.
- 20 g oats
- 2 bananas – I use frozen
- 3 tbs chocolate spread or choc shot
- 2 tbs cocoa powder
- generous handful spinach
- 6 toasted marshmallows* regular or vegan
- 500 ml coconut milk drink or milk of your choice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
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Pour the oats into the frying pan and dry fry over a medium heat shaking the pan every 10 seconds or so to toast. Once done they will be light brown and smell toasty – this step can be done in advance.
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Place all the ingredients into a blender and whizz until smooth.
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* I toast my marshmallows over the gas ring, or with a kitchen blow torch.
You might like these other chocolate shakes and smoothies
- Sarah’s Shrink Mummy Shake
- Jac’s Choco Snazzle Smoothie Shake
- Ren’s Healthy Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie
The rather fab handled jars, lids and straw set was a gift from Kilner (various stockists around £10), I am absurdly excited to see that they also have blue, pink and green handled jars too!
Linking this up to Choclette’s We Should Cocoa Challenge
Pure genius. I love s’mores. I love smoothies. I have this idea of creating business cards that explain s’mores so I can hand them out to British people who’ve never heard of them. Maybe similar business cards for smoothies is in order?
Thank you Monica. You could almost have this for breakfast too.
This sounds divine! It’s not dissimilar to smoothies I often make, but the addition of toasted marshmallows is genius.
I am glad you like the sound of it. I almost think it counts as suitable for breakfast – perhaps at the weekend?
That sounds a bit naughty Helen. Great that it is healthy too. I remember toasting marshmallows at brownie and guide camp too.
To coin a phrase “naughty byut nice”… If you leave the marshmallows out it is perfect for breakfast.
Ohh yummm these sound amazing! Can’t go wrong with chocolate and marshmallows :)
I think because of the spinach and banana one could almost have it for breakfast?
Oh yes please Helen. This is right up my street. I love s’mores, so to be able to drink them would heaven!
Liquid s’mores with two portions of fruit and veg per glass!
I LOVE this idea. I love the idea of toasting the oats before blending too. Brilliant recipe. Thanks Helen!
Thanks Urvashi. We really enjoyed them, and the toasty oats really do stand in for the Graham crackers
Hidden spinach – love it. I never knew why they were called s’mores until I read this. Duh!
Any excuse for an extra portion of vegetables Sally! S’more is so obvious once you know.
Yes! I toast marshamallows over the gas too. People have looked at me oddly for doing so.
Any excuse for toasted marshmallows!
I like the addition of coconut milk in this Helen – plus I have now learnt that you can get vegan marshmallows. stumbled.
I love that coconut milk drink, so delicious and very low in calories!
S’mores… now there’s a concept. Growing up in South Africa, this is not something I am familiar with but I would love to get to know it better ;) Clever you for combining these flavours in a smootie AND making it healthier!
You must have s’mores at your next braai Jeanne!
love that coconut milk drink
In all the year’s I’ve been reading about s’mores and rather regretting I didn’t have an American childhood so I could have tried them, I had no idea the name was short for some more. Doh! It seems so obvious now. Nice idea to create a smoothie, sound very s’moreish. Thanks for joining in with #WeShouldCocoa.
It is so obvious once you know! This is my favourite smoothie ever!
Does this count as a healthy smoothie, or just a little less unhealthy? Whatever, it sounds really delicious and would make a great weekend treat.
Healthy of course Jay! It has vegetables in it!
Banana and chocolate is so yum! And adding marshmallows sounds ridicously moreish!
I agree. And remember it is healthy too!