S'mores Cake!

I was attending a family barbecue when an idea for a recipe hit me like a ton of bricks. What's an American dessert that practically everyone adores at summer cook outs? S'mores! Everyone loves s'mores, especially during the summer at campfires. As I was preparing a s'more for myself, the idea for a s'mores cake overwhelmed me. I immediately filed through all of my cookbooks to find the basics for the developing dessert. It consists of a graham cracker crust, chocolate cake, and marshmallow frosting. All of the components that make up a good ole' fashioned s'more. The crumbly, moist graham cracker crust blends well with the lightly sweetened chocolate cake. The fluffy, rich marshmallow frosting finishes this delectably appetizing cake, adding the final touches of a s'more. This cake was absolutely delicious, whether you have made s'mores or not. Enjoy!

Ingredients for S'mores Cake!

Combine sugar, graham cracker, and butter to form a crumbly mixture.

Press graham cracker mixture into a sheet cake pan, until surface is completely covered.

                              

                              Butter and vegetable shortening melting in sauce pan.






                        S'mores Cakes

Graham Cracker Crust:

-3 cups of smashed graham crackers

-1/2 cup of sugar

-12 tbsp. of melted butter

Chocolate Cake:

-2 cups of all-purpose flour

-2 cups of sugar

-8 tbsp. of butter

-1/2 cup of vegetable shortening

-1 tsp. vanilla extract

-1 tsp. baking soda

-1/2 tsp. salt

-1 cup of water

- 3 1/2 tbsp. cocoa

-1/2 cup of buttermilk

-2 eggs

Marshmallow Frosting:

-2 large egg whites

-1 cup of sugar

-6 tbsp. water

-1 tbsp. light corn syrup

-1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

-pinch of salt

-1 cup of mini marshmallows

-1 tsp. of vanilla extract

To make the graham cracker crust...

1) Smash graham crackers until fine crumbs are formed. You can use a food processor, blender, or potato masher. ( I personally used a potato masher.)

2) Combine sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and melted butter on a bowl, stirring with a fork until mixed.

3) Press graham cracker mixture into the bottom of a cake sheet pan until bottom is covered.

4) Bake for 8 minutes in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven.

To make the chocolate cake...

1) Combine flour and sugar in a large bowl. Set aside.

2) Combine butter, vegetable shortening, water, and cocoa in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil. Pour hot mixture over flour and sugar.

3) Mix well.

4) Add remaining ingredients and mix until well blended.

5) Pour over graham cracker crust and bake in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for twenty minutes.

To make the marshmallow frosting...

1) Combine egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, salt, corn syrup, and water in a large heatproof bowl.

2) Set over simmering water, whisking until sugar is dissolved completely. 

3) Beat the mixture on high until fluffy. ( Works best when using a  stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.)

4)Immediately add the marshmallows and vanilla, continuing to beat on high until the mixture is fluffy and smooth.

5) Spread generously over cooled cake.

ENJOY! :D