It's Handmade: Sand Castle S’mores

Friday 13 July 2018

Sand Castle S’mores

Summer can’t be considered complete until you have eaten a s’more, and built a sand castle! Spending time with family or friends around the fire pit is one of our favorite activities, and the beach has to be one of our favorite places on earth. This DIY treat combines the two, making it the perfect summer snack!

When I ran across these tiny sand castle molds last month, I began to daydream about making edible castles. Since they are bite-sized, and are made of crushed graham crackers and melted marshmallow, they blend perfectly with s’mores! It’s such a fun, summery twist on one of the most delicious treats. You could also use the castles as cupcake toppers for a knight, mermaid, beach, princess, or pool party.

what you need:

• 3 C crushed graham crackers
• Whole graham crackers (1/2 per s’more)
• 1 bag mini marshmallows
• 1 stick butter
• Large saucepan
• No-stick cooking spray
• Mini 1” sand castle molds (may be found in sand kits at Michael’s)
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Food chopper (or large plastic freezer bag)
• Large marshmallows (1 per s’more)
• Chocolate bars (1/2 bar per s’more)

OPTIONAL (Flags)
• Washi tape
• Thin wire
• Scissors

how-to:

Step 1
Crush 3 C graham crackers using a food chopper. If you do not have access to a chopper, place the graham crackers in a sealed plastic bag (with as little air as possible), and crush them using your fist.

Step 2
Melt 1 ½ T butter over low heat in a large saucepan, and add 2 C mini marshmallows. Stir until completely melted, and remove from heat. Add crushed graham cracker, and stir until well coated in marshmallow sauce. The crushed graham cracker crumbs may still appear dry.

NOTE: After you have completed step 3 a few times, you will most likely want to heat up another 1 ½ T butter, and stir in another 2 C mini marshmallows until melted. Add the marshmallow sauce to the graham cracker crumbs to re-moisten the mix. It is also easiest to pack and remove castles while the mix is still warm.

Step 3
Wash your sand castle molds using dish soap and water, and rinse well. Dry them off, and spray the inside with no-stick cooking spray. Pack a handful of your graham cracker/marshmallow mix into the sand castle mold, a little at a time, until full. You may want to use the tip of a small, pointy knife to cut around the very edge of the sand castle to loosen it from the mold. Shake, wiggle, and gently squeeze the “sand castle” out of the mold, and onto a plate. Set aside.

Step 4
Toast a large marshmallow over a fire, or in the microwave (for about 10-15 seconds) on half of a graham cracker and chocolate bar. Allow to cool for a few seconds, and then stack your sand castle on the marshmallow, with a graham cracker base, and chocolate center. Alternatively, you could also just place the castle on a cupcake!

Step 5 (Optional)
Use thin wire, washi tape, and scissors to create mini flags to stick on top of the castles. Cut off about 2” of washi tape, and a 2-3” piece of wire. Place the top of the wire in the center of the washi tape, and fold the tape in half over the wire. Cut the tape into a triangle, or cut a mini triangle into the tip of the tape. Cut the wire down to the height you prefer, and insert the end into the top of the castle.