Name: Gooey S'mores Cookie Cups
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup graham cracker crumbs; 1 cup all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 12 large marshmallows, halved; 12 mini chocolate bars or 1 cup chocolate chunks

These Gooey S’mores Cookie Cups bring the classic campfire treat indoors with a delicious twist. Imagine all the flavors of traditional s’mores—graham crackers, melty chocolate, and toasted marshmallows—transformed into adorable cookie cups that are perfect for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No campfire needed! Enjoy the classic s’mores flavor year-round
Individual servings make them perfect for parties and gatherings
The crisp cookie cup edges with gooey centers create an irresistible texture contrast
Kid-friendly recipe that’s also sophisticated enough for adults
Great make-ahead dessert option that stores well
Easier and less messy to eat than traditional s’mores
Customizable with different chocolate varieties for endless variations

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Graham cracker crumbs provide that classic s’mores flavor base and add a wonderful texture to the cookie cups. You can purchase pre-made crumbs or make your own by pulsing whole graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground.

All-purpose flour forms the structural foundation of these cookie cups, giving them stability while maintaining a tender bite. It blends perfectly with the graham cracker crumbs for that ideal cookie texture.

Baking soda helps the cookie cups rise slightly during baking and contributes to their golden color. This leavening agent ensures your cookies have the perfect chewy-yet-tender consistency.

Salt enhances all the flavors in these cookie cups and balances the sweetness. Even this small amount makes a big difference in the final taste profile.

Unsalted butter brings richness and helps create that perfect cookie texture. Make sure it’s properly softened (but not melted) for the best results when creaming with the sugars.

Brown sugar adds moisture and a caramel-like depth of flavor that complements the graham crackers beautifully. It helps give the cookies their chewy texture.

Granulated sugar contributes sweetness and helps create those slightly crisp edges on your cookie cups. The combination of both sugars gives these treats their perfect texture.

Egg acts as a binder that holds everything together while adding moisture and richness. It’s crucial for the structure of your cookie cups.

Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the recipe with its warm, aromatic notes. It’s subtle but makes a significant difference in the overall flavor profile.

Marshmallows provide that quintessential gooey, sticky sweetness that defines a proper s’more. When slightly toasted in the oven, they develop that irresistible golden top and melty center.

Chocolate pieces deliver rich, melty goodness that combines with the marshmallow for that classic s’mores experience. You can use chocolate chunks, mini chocolate bars, or even chocolate chips depending on what you have on hand.

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a muffin tin.
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with brown and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms. Scoop about a tablespoon of dough into each muffin cup and press to form a little cup shape.
Bake for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden.
Remove from the oven, press a marshmallow half and a piece of chocolate into each cookie cup.
Return to the oven for 2–3 minutes or broil briefly until marshmallows are toasty and chocolate is soft.
Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes before removing.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 12 delicious s’mores cookie cups. The preparation takes about 10 minutes, with a cooking time of approximately 15 minutes, bringing the total time to 25 minutes. Each serving contains around 190 calories, making them a reasonable treat option that won’t completely derail your daily calorie intake.

Variations

Chocolate Lover’s Version: Use dark chocolate chunks and add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the cookie dough for an extra chocolatey experience.

Peanut Butter S’more Cups: Add a small spoonful of peanut butter beneath the chocolate piece for a peanut butter cup meets s’more fusion.

Caramel Drizzle: After baking, drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra layer of indulgence.

Berry S’mores: Place a small piece of fresh strawberry or raspberry between the chocolate and marshmallow for a fruity twist.

Mint Chocolate: Use mint chocolate pieces instead of regular chocolate for a refreshing variation.

Cinnamon Graham: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the dough for a warm, spiced version.

White Chocolate Cranberry: Substitute white chocolate and add a few dried cranberries for a sophisticated flavor profile.

Storage/Reheating

Counter Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Refrigerator Storage: For longer freshness, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. The texture may firm up slightly when chilled.

Freezer Storage: These cookie cups freeze beautifully! Place in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating: To recapture that fresh-baked gooeyness, microwave refrigerated or room temperature cookie cups for 10-15 seconds. If frozen, thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes, then microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm.

Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the cookie cup bases ahead of time, then add the marshmallow and chocolate right before serving and briefly broil for that freshly made experience.

FAQs

Can I make these s’mores cookie cups gluten-free?

Yes, you can make these gluten-free by substituting a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour and using gluten-free graham cracker crumbs. Just ensure all your other ingredients are certified gluten-free as well.

What if I don’t have a muffin tin?

If you don’t have a muffin tin, you can make these as regular cookies on a baking sheet. Simply flatten the dough slightly, bake, then top with chocolate and marshmallow. They’ll be more like s’mores cookies rather than cups, but still delicious!

Can I use mini marshmallows instead of large ones?

Absolutely! If using mini marshmallows, place 3-4 on each cookie cup instead of half a large marshmallow. They’ll melt more quickly, so watch them carefully when broiling.

Why did my cookie cups crack?

Cracking usually happens if the dough is too dry or if the cups were baked too long. Make sure your butter is properly softened and don’t overmix the dough. Also, ensure you’re creating a gentle depression rather than a deep cup shape.

How do I know when the cookie cups are done baking?

The cookie cups should be lightly golden around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool in the tin.

Can I use chocolate chips instead of chocolate bars?

Yes, chocolate chips work perfectly in this recipe. Use about 5-6 chips per cookie cup, or roughly 1 tablespoon.

My marshmallows browned too quickly. What should I do?

If your marshmallows are browning too quickly under the broiler, position the rack further from the heat source or skip the broiler entirely and bake at 350°F for 2-3 minutes instead.

Can I make these cookie cups in a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats?

Definitely! For mini muffin tins, use about 1-2 teaspoons of dough per cup and reduce the baking time to 6-8 minutes. Use smaller pieces of chocolate and marshmallow for topping.

How can I prevent the cookie cups from sticking to the muffin tin?

Make sure to grease the muffin tin well before adding the dough. If sticking is a persistent problem, try using paper liners or silicone muffin cups for easy removal.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes, the cookie dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If refrigerated, let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before shaping to make it easier to work with.

Conclusion

These Gooey S’mores Cookie Cups brilliantly capture the nostalgic magic of traditional s’mores in a convenient, year-round treat. The combination of graham cracker-infused cookie base, melty chocolate, and toasted marshmallow creates that perfect balance of flavors and textures that makes s’mores so beloved.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility – perfect for casual family desserts, birthday parties, holiday gatherings, or even as a sweet gift for friends and neighbors. The individual portions eliminate the mess typically associated with traditional s’mores while maintaining all the flavor you love.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, these cookie cups offer a foolproof way to create a memorable dessert that will have everyone asking for “some more.” Give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving that perfect combination of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker goodness!

Gooey S’mores Cookie Cups