Don’t s’mores just make you feel like a kid again? I think that’s why we all love them so much! Some of our other favorite s’mores desserts are my much-loved S’mores Bars, the easy and munchable S’mores Snack Mix, S’mores Dip, handheld S’mores Cupcakes, and Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookies.
You will love this S mores Birthday Cake
It took me quite a few tries to find a s’mores cake that I loved. There were a couple of other iterations of this recipe that got only “meh” reactions, including one with a graham cracker cake instead of a chocolate one that I had high hopes for but that just didn’t deliver when it came to s’mores flavor. My s’mores cupcake has graham cracker frosting that I’m kind of obsessed with, so my next thought was to go that direction. But again, it just wasn’t quite what I wanted in a tall layer cake that would be good for celebrations. It wasn’t until I finally tried a thick layer of graham cracker crust as a base for the chocolate layers that things started to really come together. You can actually taste the graham cracker and there is a crunchy texture that stands up to the other elements of the cake. The toasted marshmallow buttercream is made with marshmallows that you actually toast under the broiled until they are golden brown, then add them right to a classic butter and powdered sugar buttercream base. It’s crazy good and adds that toasty, almost burnt sugar flavor that I love about the original campfire s’mores. There is even a layer of homemade marshmallow fluff that I toasted with my kitchen torch. I fully anticipated this being a total vanity move and was prepared to tell you it was unnecessary since the cake it still super delicious without it. But no, it’s absolutely one of my very favorite parts of the over-the-top dessert. So even though it’s a bit of extra work right at the end when you are so close to being done, I encourage you to power through and make the marshmallow fluff. You won’t regret it! True, there are a few components to this cake and it takes longer to assemble than most of the other dessert recipes on this site, but I promise it’s 1,000 percent worth it. I cut up slices and delivered them to friends who helped with the taste testing and everybody raved about this one. I love researching cake recipes and definitely pulled inspiration from Life Love and Sugar, Cake By Courtney, and the Preppy Kitchen for my version. They are all such inspiring and creative bakers and if you haven’t checked them out, you really should!
Smore Cake ingredients
Graham crackers – These are both for the graham cracker crust that the cake layers are baked on as well as the decorating the top of the finished cake. Sugar – You will need granulated sugar for the cake and powdered sugar for the frosting. Butter – I use salted butter for all of my buttercream frosting recipes. Oil – I find that oil keeps the cake layers even more moist than using butter. Eggs – These help bind the ingredients together and gives a nice, fluffy cake texture.Vanilla extract Flour – I use regular all-purpose flour in this recipe, but you can use cake flour if you would rather. Cocoa powder – I used Hershey’s unsweetened natural cocoa powder but Ghirardelli is my other favorite brand that is readily available to most home bakers. Baking soda & baking powder – For light and fluffy layers. Salt Buttermilk – If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can make an easy substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a 1 cup measuring cup and filling it the rest of the way with milk. Let this sit for 5 minutes before using in place of the buttermilk. Hot water Chocolate chips – These are for making the chocolate ganache and you can use milk chocolate or semisweet. Heavy cream Marshmallows – These will be toasted for that classic, slightly charred bitter notes that are part of the campfire s’mores experience. Marshmallow fluff Corn syrup Hershey’s bars – Just for decorating.
Smore Cake substitutions and additions
Gourmet s’mores flavors. If you want to make this s’mores cake even more extra, you can think about replacing the graham cracker with Oreo cookies and the Hershey bar decorations with Reese’s peanut butter cups. Marshmallow fluff. Technically you could double the marshmallow fluff part of this s’mores cake recipe and use half of it for the jar of marshmallow fluff in the marshmallow buttercream frosting. Or you could replace the marshmallow fluff that is piped in swirls on top of the cake for decoration with a jar of store-bought marshmallow fluff (or omit making it altogether). Use a cake mix. If you are in a hurry, you could always replace the chocolate cake layer with your favorite chocolate cake mix.
How to make Smores Cake
Phew! That’s it! Now you can slice and serve your delicious creation! It’s a big cake and will feed a lot of people. If you have leftovers, I recommend slicing them and freezing individual slices wrapped well in plastic wrap so you can thaw and enjoy as much as you want at a time.
Tips for making s’more cake
Before we get started, there are a few things to know that will help take away a lot of the stress of making this recipe. None of the elements are very hard to make, but with a recipe like this where there are a number of different components, I want everyone to be successful on their first try! These are my best tips and tricks from an admittedly self-taught baker.
Whenever I’m doing a major bake like this one, I find it’s always best to read through ALL of the ingredients and instructions first to make sure I have everything I need going into it. I hate to be in the middle of assembling a cake and realize I forgot to make a filling component, or worse yet, have to run to the store for an ingredient I didn’t realize I was running low on (I’m looking at you powdered sugar)! Clear out some freezer space. If you want really professional looking results, the trick is utilizing your freezer when assembling the cake layers and decorating. It takes a little time and yes, you are in and out of the freezer, but setting the layers will really help the cake be more firm and easier to assemble and decorate.
Use cardboard cake rounds or acrylic cake discs for easier assembly and decorating. Once I started buying these inexpensive cardboard bases for my cakes, it made decorating so much easier! They are typically 1/4-inch larger in diameter than the cake pans, which gives you a perfect guide for applying the outer layer of frosting. And they provide much needed stability when transferring the cake in and out of the freezer rather than trying to figure out a way for your entire cake stand to fit. Then once the cake is finished, you can transfer the whole thing to a clean, beautiful cake stand by sliding a cake lifter under the cardboard round and setting the cake onto your cake stand. Give yourself time. A big cake like this one can be a nightmare if you try to rush it. I will usually make my cake layers and buttercream a day or more in advance. Both can be frozen for 1-2 months, if needed even. Then on the day I plan to assemble the cake, let them both come up to room temperature. Always transfer the buttercream back into a large bowl and beat it again for a couple of minutes to make sure it is smooth and spreadable before you start working with it.
How to store S’mores Cake
You can store any uneaten cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or you can store it in the fridge for about 5 days. Keep in mind that decorations like whole s’mores made with graham crackers will soften quickly and not be crunchy by Day 2. I recommend letting the cake come to room temperature before serving as cold cake can sometimes taste stale when it really isn’t. You can also freeze this cake for up to 2 months. Cake layers freeze really well if the cake is unassembled if you wrap them in plastic wrap and then keep them in a freezer-safe ziploc bag or other container. Or you can freeze the entire cake, although I recommend waiting to decorate until shortly before serving. Let it thaw completely for at least 3 to 4 hours at room temperature before serving.
More cake recipes that you’ll love
Cherry Crisp Cake Homemade Funfetti Cake German Chocolate Cake Aunt Becky’s Black Forest Cake
Vintage Cherry Cake
Best Homemade Red Velvet Cake
Mardi Gras King Cake
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
