Indulge your sweet cravings with this incredibly easy and utterly decadent Skillet S’mores Dip. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert that brings all the joy of a classic campfire treat right into your kitchen!
Forget the need for a roaring bonfire; this recipe offers the perfect, mess-free solution to enjoy all the irresistible flavors of a Traditional S’mores Recipe any time, anywhere. Whether it’s a rainy day, a casual family gathering, or a festive celebration, this gooey, chocolatey marvel promises to delight every palate and satisfy your inner child.
Why This Skillet S’mores Dip Will Become Your Favorite Dessert
For years, variations of chocolate and marshmallow dips have captivated dessert lovers across the internet. While many simply combine chocolate chips and marshmallows, our approach elevates this beloved classic to an entirely new level of gourmet indulgence. We believe a little extra effort can yield extraordinary results, which is why we’ve chosen to build our dip on a luxurious ganache base.
- Unparalleled Richness with Ganache: Instead of plain melted chocolate, we opted for a creamy ganache. This simple addition introduces a velvety smooth texture and a depth of flavor that a basic melted chocolate simply can’t match, transforming an easy treat into a truly decadent experience.
- Silky Smooth Perfection: The heavy cream in our ganache works wonders, making the chocolate unbelievably rich and lusciously smooth. Each scoop promises a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that perfectly complements the gooey, toasted marshmallows.
- No Campfire, No Problem: One of the greatest advantages of this Skillet S’mores Dip is its accessibility. You don’t need a backyard, a fire pit, or even good weather to enjoy the classic s’mores experience. This makes it an ideal dessert for indoor parties, holiday celebrations like Memorial Day, the 4th of July, or Labor Day, and impromptu sweet cravings. Simply pop it under the broiler, and you’re good to go!
- Effortless Preparation: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe remains wonderfully simple. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up this impressive dessert in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy hosts or spontaneous indulgence.
Our journey began by melting cream and chocolate together in a skillet, creating that glorious ganache. This was then topped with a generous layer of marshmallows, quickly toasted to golden perfection under the broiler. Served with crisp graham crackers for dipping, it delivers the quintessential s’mores experience without any fuss. The unanimous approval from everyone who tried it confirmed: this is a dessert worth sharing!
Essential Ingredients for Your Decadent S’mores Dip
Crafting the perfect Skillet S’mores Dip relies on a few high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to achieve that irresistible balance of rich chocolate and gooey marshmallow:
- Premium Semi-sweet or Milk Chocolate Chips: The foundation of your ganache. While most brands will melt, we highly recommend Ghirardelli chocolate chips for their superior melting consistency and rich flavor, offering a smoother ganache compared to Nestles or generic alternatives. Alternatively, you can finely chop 12 ounces of high-quality milk or semi-sweet chocolate bars for an even more luxurious texture.
- Heavy Cream (36-40% Butterfat): This is crucial for creating a truly rich and velvety ganache. The high fat content ensures a stable emulsion and a wonderfully smooth, pourable chocolate base that sets perfectly as it cools slightly.
- Large Marshmallows: These are the stars of the show, providing that iconic toasted, gooey topping. You’ll need approximately 50 large marshmallows, but the exact quantity may vary depending on the diameter and depth of your skillet. Arranging them snugly in a single layer ensures even toasting.
- Graham Crackers for Dipping: The traditional and indispensable companion to s’mores. Break them into smaller, dippable rectangles. For those looking to explore beyond tradition, a variety of other cookies and treats also make excellent dippers, offering different textures and flavor profiles.
A Celebratory Treat Perfect for Any Occasion
This Skillet S’mores Dip isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience, making it perfect for sharing. I vividly recall the joy it brought when I shared it with my neighbors on the 4th of July. The interactive nature of the dip encourages laughter and connection – some guests preferred to spoon the warm dip onto their crackers, while others crafted more traditional s’mores sandwiches by pressing two graham crackers around a generous dollop.
S’mores hold a special place as a truly classic American summer treat, symbolizing warmth, good company, and nostalgic memories. Whether you’re toasting marshmallows over a crackling campfire or achieving that perfect golden-brown crust under your broiler, the essence remains the same: pure, unadulterated delight. The magic doesn’t end after the first serving either. Gently reheating the leftovers in the oven brought the dip back to life, drawing everyone back to the skillet with spoons in hand. My friend Nick, after careful consideration, even declared this dip superior to conventional s’mores – a testament to its exceptional appeal!
Pro Tips for a Perfect Skillet S’mores Dip Every Time
Mastering this simple yet spectacular dessert is a breeze with these expert tips. Get ready to add the easiest, most decadent treat to your culinary repertoire!
- Chocolate Choice Matters: Personalize your dip by choosing between milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier ganache, or semi-sweet chocolate for a richer, slightly less sweet profile. Both create a delightful base, so pick your preference!
- Quality Chocolate for Smoothness: While chocolate chips are convenient, using 12 ounces of chopped high-quality chocolate bars (like Ghirardelli) can yield an even smoother, more luxurious ganache due to their higher cocoa butter content and more consistent melting properties.
- Microwave Melting Mastery: The microwave is your best friend for quickly melting chocolate and cream. Employ short bursts of heat (15-30 seconds), stirring thoroughly after each interval. This prevents the chocolate from seizing or burning, ensuring a perfectly smooth ganache. Patience and frequent stirring are key!
- Presentation & Bakeware: A cast iron skillet not only offers fantastic heat retention but also provides a charming, rustic presentation perfect for serving directly from oven to table. If you don’t have one, any broiler-safe dish like a pie plate or an oven-safe ceramic baking dish will work beautifully. Just ensure your chosen vessel can withstand direct high heat.
- Skillet Size Impact: We recommend a 10-inch diameter skillet for optimal marshmallow-to-chocolate ratio. However, a slightly larger or smaller pan will also work. A smaller pan will result in a thicker dip, while a larger one will yield a thinner layer. Adjust marshmallow quantity accordingly to cover the surface adequately.
- Broiling with Precision: Arranging marshmallows in a single layer over the ganache is crucial. When broiling, keep a vigilant eye on your oven. Marshmallows can go from perfectly golden to charred in mere seconds under intense heat.
- PRO-Tip for Broiling: NEVER walk away from the oven while broiling marshmallows. The intense, direct heat from the broiler can burn them very quickly. Watch continuously until they reach your desired level of golden-brown gooeyness. This vigilance will prevent disappointment and ensure perfect results.
- Creative Dipper Options: While graham crackers are a classic choice, don’t limit yourself! Experiment with an array of dippers to add variety. Consider crunchy pretzel rods for a sweet and salty contrast, shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers, Biscoff cookies, apple slices, or even fresh berries for a lighter touch.
- Serve it Warm: For the best experience, serve your Skillet S’mores Dip immediately after broiling while it’s still warm and the chocolate ganache is wonderfully scoopable and gooey. As it cools, the ganache will firm up slightly.
As a small note, if you spot any little quirks or typos, it’s all part of the charm of a bustling kitchen! Sometimes, even the most focused bakers have their delightful distractions.
Frequently Asked Questions About S’mores and Ganache
Ganache is a luxurious, versatile culinary creation made by combining chocolate with heated cream. The ratio of chocolate to cream dictates its consistency, ranging from a pourable glaze to a thick, truffle-like filling. It’s renowned for its rich flavor and silky smooth texture, making it perfect as an icing for cakes, a filling for pastries, or the decadent base for our Skillet S’mores Dip.
The delightful word “S’mores” is a charming contraction of “some more.” This catchy name perfectly encapsulates the universal sentiment experienced after enjoying one – everyone always wants “some more” of this irresistible treat!
Indeed! The Girl Scouts are widely credited with popularizing, if not outright inventing, the classic s’mores recipe. The earliest known published recipe for a s’more-like treat, then called “Graham Cracker Sandwiches,” appeared in a 1927 Girl Scout handbook titled “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” Before that, a photo of a Girl Scout roasting a marshmallow was even featured in a 1914 scouting magazine, solidifying their connection to this beloved camping staple.
Explore More Delicious Dessert Ideas
If you’ve fallen in love with this Skillet S’mores Dip, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic dessert inspirations:
- For even more s’mores variations, check out this post for Easy Indoor S’mores Dip 3 Ways from my friend Kelly of Life Made Sweeter.
- Craving a smaller portion? Here’s a brilliant Small Batch S’mores Dip recipe from Dessert for Two, often credited as the original creator of this amazing treat!
- My friend Danielle also offers another wonderfully decadent version on Hugs & Cookies XOXO.
- Find a wide array of mouth-watering summer desserts and beyond in the Desserts section of my Recipe Index.
- Plus, don’t miss out on all my Best Dessert Recipes for year-round sweet indulgence!
Stay connected and share your culinary creations with us! Follow @thatskinnychickcanbake on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes! If you adore the results, please consider leaving a 5-star rating in the recipe card below – your feedback means the world!
Skillet S’mores Dip
5 minutes
6 minutes
11 minutes
16 servings
A decadent and easy S’mores dip made conveniently in a skillet!
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate, or 12 ounces chopped chocolate bars)
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Approximately 50 large marshmallows (quantity may vary based on skillet size)
- Graham crackers, separated into rectangles (for dipping)
Instructions
- Combine heavy cream and chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl. Microwave in short bursts (15-30 seconds), stopping and stirring frequently until the chocolate is almost completely melted.
- Remove from microwave and let sit on the counter for one minute. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy, forming a rich ganache.
- Pour the prepared chocolate ganache into the bottom of a 9-inch cast-iron skillet. Alternatively, if preferred, gently melt the chocolate chips and cream directly in the skillet over low heat, stirring until smooth.
- Preheat your oven broiler. Carefully arrange a single layer of large marshmallows over the entire surface of the chocolate ganache in the skillet.
- Place the skillet under the preheated broiler for 1-5 minutes. Watch constantly and very carefully! The marshmallows will toast rapidly. Remove the skillet once they are golden brown and perfectly gooey. Do not walk away, as they can burn in an instant.
- Broiling time varies significantly based on the proximity of your pan to the heating element and your oven’s broiler strength.
Notes
For the best melting and smoothest ganache, Ghirardelli chocolate chips are recommended over brands like Nestles, though both will ultimately work for this delicious dip.
Recommended Products
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- Semisweet Chocolate Chips
- Le Creuset 10-inch Skillet
- 3 Pyrex Mixing Bowls
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 201Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 27mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 1gSugar: 27gProtein: 2g
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