give us some more s’mores, please

 Toasted, gooey marshmallow goodness combined with rich, decadent chocolate squished between two, crisp honey graham crackers. Yummy. My mouth is watering for a s’more as I type!

The summer-time favorite  can be prepared and styled so many different ways –  whether your hosting a fancy wedding or a backyard BBQ, you can never go wrong with a s’more. Your guests will be saying, “give us some more s’mores please!”

S’more Favors

S’more Cupcakes
{recipe by Pizzazzerie}

Ingredients
Crumbs
6 graham cracker boards (oblongs)
2 Tbsp each sugar and melted butter
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cupcakes
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup each canola oil and water
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Frosting
8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

Crumbs: Process graham crackers in food processor until fine crumbs. Add sugar and butter; pulse until blended. Spoon about 2 tsp into each muffin cup. Top with 1 tsp mini chocolate chips.

Cupcakes: In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt until blended. In medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, oil, water and vanilla until blended; whisk into flour mixture until smooth.

Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes.

Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined. Use immediately.

Top cupcakes with marshmallow frosting and garnish with chocolate bar and extra graham cracker crumbs!

S’more Cake
{by The Birthday Blog}

S’more Dessert Bar
{
check out the rest of the adorable camp party with the s’more dessert bar by Moore Minutes}

{Postcards and Pretties dessert buffet}

{Amy Atlas s’more food station}

Wash it all down with a
S’more Martini
{recipe by The Daily Find}

 2 Ounces Chocolate Vodka
2 Ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 Ounces Cream de Cacao
2 Ounces Vanilla Vodka
2 Ounces Heavy Cream
Graham Crackers, Crushed
Chocolate Syrup
12 toasted mini marshmallows or 4 large marshmallows

Dip the rim of 4 martini glasses in the chocolate syrup and then into the crushed graham crackers. Chill glasses in the freezer. Pour all the remaining ingredients except the marshmallows into a martini shaker filled with ice and shake until well blended. Skewer your marshmallows on a cocktail stick and place in the chilled glasses. Strain the drinks into the 4 glasses.

{images via: s’more party favors: pinterest, once wed, elizabeth anne designs, pinterest, salt harbor blog. s’more cupcakes: pizzazzerie. s’more cake: the birthday blog. dessert bar: moore minutes, post cards and pretties, amy atlas. martini: the daily find. marshmallows: bakerella

Cookie Monster Party

My kids 3rd and 1st birthdays are quickly approaching, so my mind is churning with ideas for themes, colors, etc. Since I was on the subject of toddler birthdays, I thought I would share my son’s last birthday party.

I was inspired to do a milk and cookies party for my son’s 2nd birthday party after coming across a blog posting by Anne from A. Party Style. My son, Jameson, LOVES cookies; after all, cookie was one of his first words. So, there seemed nothing more appropriate than throwing a cookies and milk party. I liked the brown and white color scheme, but wanted a touch of blue. My son also loves Cookie Monster from the kid-loved Sesame Street, so it seemed perfect…a cookies and milk party with special appearances from Cookie Monster! Once I had the theme, I hit the ground…and Michael’s…running! 

Many of the details are DIY, which I love.

I made the invitations (yes, I cut the cookies and added each chocolate chip with a sharpie in-hand, and the milk bottle). I printed the invites on my computer at home. You can find the paper to do this yourself at Fleur de Lis.

c is for cookie invitation

inside c is for cookie invitation

After “Jameson’s Art to Eating a Cookie” photo session, I had an idea to use an antique window pane I had in the garage for a photo display. I made a frame for all cookie photos using construction paper and double-sided tape.

antique window pane photo display

I couldn’t resist creating a balloon wreath after seeing this birthday wreath at HowDoesShe? It was simple to make and turned out adorable!

diy balloon wreath 

The DIY custom water labels posted on etsy.com from RyCreationShop were just too cute to pass up.  

cookie monster custom water labels

Due to the weather, I had to create a fun game for the toddlers to play inside – what better than a cookie decorating party at a cookie party? I made sugar cookies, and bought icing, a variety of sprinkles, food color pens, etc. The kids had a blast…and had faces covered with chocolate and sprinkles to prove it.

I hung balloons from the arch in the middle of the room, which was a cost-effective way to add color to the party.

balloons

I placed a Pottery Barn lantern with photos of Jameson in the middle of the table. Stay tuned for a DIY tutorial blog post on how to make these lanterns yourself. They are cute, and also serve as a warm ambiance with the candles glowing throughout the evening.  

lantern centerpiece

The party wouldn’t be complete without the birthday boy wearing a cookie monster t-shirt from the ShockNRoll Etsy Shop.

cookie monster shirt

I’m obsessed with striped straws.  The kids loved drinking their milk from them too.

striped straws and shortbread on a stick

The menu of cookie options included homemade chocolate chip cookies, homemade oatmeal cookies, homemade shortbread cookies, oreo cookies, and ingredients to make s’mores by the fire-pit outside.

cookie bar

The kids’ goody bags, with a custom name tag made from cupcake toppers from RyCreationShop, and a custom label printed at home on my computer, contained chalk, bubbles, shortbread cookies and milk with a custom label, “Jameson’s sweet 2% milk.”  

goody bags

shortbread for goody bags

chalk for goody bags

The party was a success, and my little cookie monster loved it!

{images via tutto bella}