Gooey Smores Cake Recipe

Irresistible S’mores Cake Recipe: Campfire Magic at Home

Campfire memories dance on your plate with this irresistible s’mores cake recipe that captures summer’s sweetest essence.

Graham cracker layers mingle with rich chocolate and pillowy marshmallow frosting, creating a dessert that feels like pure nostalgia.

Every bite transports you to cozy nights under starlit skies with crackling flames nearby.

Decadent chocolate ganache drips dramatically between soft cake layers, promising indulgence in each forkful.

Classic campfire flavors merge seamlessly in this delightful dessert that requires zero outdoor cooking skills.

Bakers of all levels can whip up this crowd-pleasing treat that turns ordinary afternoons into extraordinary moments.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to become the neighborhood dessert hero.

Steps to Bake the Ultimate S’mores Cake

Chocolate Graham Cracker Canvas

  • Graham Cracker Foundation Delicious crusty base made by crushing graham crackers and binding them with melted butter, pressed into cake pans creating a rustic, sweet foundation.
  • Chocolate Landscape Rich chocolate batter whisked together with cocoa, flour, and essential baking elements, transforming into a velvety smooth cake layer that melts in your mouth.
  • Creamy Chocolate Horizon Silky chocolate filling created by pouring warm cream over luxurious chocolate, creating a glossy, decadent spread that promises indulgence.
  • Marshmallow Cloud Dreamy buttercream whipped with marshmallow fluff, generating a pillowy soft frosting that adds heavenly lightness to the cake.
  • Ganache Waterfall Smooth chocolate glaze cascading over the cake, creating a glossy, elegant finish that reflects sophistication and rich chocolate intensity.
  • Torch Magic Final dramatic touch using kitchen torch to caramelize marshmallow creme, adding golden-brown crispy edges that elevate the entire dessert experience.
  • Layering Symphony Carefully stacking cake layers with alternating chocolate filling and marshmallow buttercream, constructing a harmonious flavor profile that celebrates sweet complexity.

Customizing Your S’mores Cake Experience

  • Prep cake layers and fillings a day before assembly, storing them separately in airtight containers to save time and reduce day-of stress.
  • Use a kitchen torch to caramelize marshmallow creme for authentic campfire s'mores flavor, creating golden-brown spots that add depth and nostalgia.
  • Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure graham crackers are gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
  • Allow all ingredients to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even cake texture, preventing potential lumps or uneven baking.
  • Sprinkle extra crushed graham crackers between layers or around cake edges for added texture and a delightful cracker-like crispness that enhances the classic s'mores experience.

Presenting and Serving S’mores Cake Slices

  • Party Platter Paradise: Create a stunning dessert centerpiece surrounded by graham cracker pieces, chocolate shavings, and mini marshmallows for guests to customize their cake slice.
  • Campfire Companion: Serve alongside warm mugs of hot chocolate or coffee to enhance the nostalgic s'mores flavor profile and create a cozy, comforting experience.
  • Texture Adventure Plate: Garnish each slice with crunchy graham cracker fragments, drizzled chocolate, and a torched marshmallow swirl to highlight the cake's delicious layers and add visual excitement.
  • Weekend Celebration Style: Perfect for summer gatherings, birthdays, or potlucks where guests will be delighted by this elevated take on the classic campfire treat – a show-stopping dessert that sparks conversation and sweet memories.

Keeping Your S’mores Cake Fresh

  • Fridge Friendly Strategy: Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
  • Temperature Maintenance: Allow chilled cake to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving to restore soft texture and enhance flavor profiles.
  • Slice Separation Technique: Place wax paper between individual cake slices when storing to prevent sticking and maintain individual portion integrity.
  • Freezer Preservation Method: Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving to maintain original texture and taste quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 452 kcal

Servings: 13

S’mores Cake Ingredients to Get Started

For The Cake Base:
  • Graham Crackers: Provides a classic s'mores crunch and nostalgic campfire flavor, choose fresh, crisp crackers for best texture.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender cake structure, opt for fresh, sifted flour to prevent lumps.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate depth, select high-quality dark cocoa for intense flavor.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds richness, use room temperature eggs for smooth mixing.
  • Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender crumb, choose fine granulated sugar for even distribution.
  • Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tanginess, ensures soft cake texture.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake incredibly moist, select neutral-flavored oil.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use pure extract for best results.
  • Coffee: Deepens chocolate flavor, use freshly brewed room temperature coffee.
For Binding And Leavening:
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and creates light texture, ensure they're fresh and not expired.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors, use fine table salt.
For Chocolate Components:
  • Dark Chocolate: Provides intense chocolate flavor, choose high-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates smooth ganache and filling, select full-fat cream for richness.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds creaminess and depth, use high-quality European-style butter.
For Marshmallow Elements:
  • Marshmallow Fluff: Creates fluffy, sweet layer, choose commercial or homemade version.
  • Powdered Sugar: Smooths buttercream, sift to prevent lumps.
  • Egg Whites: Creates stable marshmallow creme, use fresh, room temperature whites.
  • Corn Syrup: Stabilizes marshmallow mixture, prevents crystallization.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds aromatic sweetness to marshmallow component.

Must-Have Tools for S’mores Cake Prep

  • Stand mixer or electric hand mixer: Essential for beating eggs, creaming butter, and whipping marshmallow buttercream.
  • Springform pans (3, 20-cm/8-inch): Perfect for creating even cake layers with removable sides.
  • Food processor: Crushes graham crackers or biscuits into fine crumbs for crust.
  • Whisk: Crucial for mixing dry ingredients and creating smooth batters.
  • Saucepan: Needed for heating cream and cooking sugar syrup.
  • Candy thermometer: Helps achieve precise temperature for marshmallow syrup.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
  • Spatula: Helps spread layers, buttercream, and ganache smoothly.
  • Piping bag (optional): Great for decorative marshmallow creme topping.
  • Kitchen torch (optional): Creates beautiful toasted marshmallow effect.
Print
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Gooey Smores Cake Recipe

Gooey Smores Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

S’mores cake delivers classic campfire nostalgia with graham cracker layers, chocolate ganache, and toasted marshmallow frosting. Rich dessert flavors combine perfectly for chocolate enthusiasts seeking sweet summer memories.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 300 g (10.5 oz) granulated sugar
  • 300 g (10.5 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 240 g (1 cup) buttermilk
  • 120 g (1 cup) cocoa powder
  • 120 ml (½ cup) oil
  • 2 eggs (room temperature)
  • 250 g (8.8 oz) digestive biscuits or graham crackers
  • 90 g (3.17 oz) unsalted butter (melted)
  • 240 ml (1 cup) hot strong brewed coffee (or water)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar (if using graham crackers)
  • 120 g (4.2 oz) quality dark chocolate (finely chopped)
  • 80 g (2.8 oz) heavy cream
  • 30 g (1 oz) unsalted butter
  • 200 g (7.05 oz) marshmallow creme/fluff
  • 200 g (7.05 oz) unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three springform pans with parchment and lightly grease, preparing workspace for cake construction.
  2. Graham Cracker Foundation: Pulverize graham crackers into fine crumbs, blend with melted butter, press into two cake pans, and chill to solidify the base layer.
  3. Dry Ingredient Harmony: Sift cocoa, flour, baking soda, and salt together, ensuring uniform distribution for a consistent cake texture.
  4. Batter Composition: Whisk eggs and sugar until pale and voluminous, integrate vanilla, oil, buttermilk, and coffee to develop complex flavor profile.
  5. Cake Layer Formation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, maintaining smooth consistency without overmixing, then distribute batter evenly across prepared pans.
  6. Baking Transformation: Bake for 25 minutes until toothpick emerges clean, then cool completely on wire racks, allowing cakes to settle and stabilize.
  7. Filling and Frosting Creation: Craft chocolate filling by melting cream and chocolate together, incorporate butter for richness. Develop marshmallow buttercream by whipping butter, gradually adding powdered sugar, vanilla, and marshmallow fluff for light, airy texture.
  8. Ganache Preparation: Gently heat cream, blend with chocolate until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency perfect for drizzling.
  9. Marshmallow Creme Technique: Cook sugar syrup to precise temperature, slowly stream into whipped egg whites, beating until thick and lustrous.
  10. Architectural Assembly: Layer graham cracker cakes with alternating chocolate filling and marshmallow buttercream, applying smooth buttercream coat and chilling to set frosting.
  11. Dramatic Finale: Cascade ganache over cake, creating elegant drips. Optionally torch marshmallow creme dollops for caramelized, toasted presentation that elevates the dessert’s visual appeal.

Notes

  • Precision Matters: Use an accurate candy thermometer when making marshmallow creme to ensure the sugar syrup reaches exactly 240°F for perfect consistency.
  • Chill for Success: Always refrigerate cake layers for 30 minutes before assembling to prevent crumbling and make frosting easier.
  • Room Temperature Magic: Ensure eggs, butter, and buttermilk are at room temperature to create a smoother, more evenly mixed batter with better rise.
  • Texture Tip: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet mixture to maintain air pockets, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake texture.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 452
  • Sugar: 41 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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