Tonight my 6-year-old neighbor boy came knocking on our door to invite us over after dinner to make s’mores. Ignoring the fact that I’d just polished off a bowl of homemade banana softserve, I gladly accepted his adorable invitation. Really, who turns down s’mores on a relatively warm, Saturday night in July!?

When I got home from our backyard campfire, my tummy was two s’mores fuller, my old swim team sweatshirt was saturated with smoke, my toes were chilled to the bone, and I had terrible nostalgia of my childhood summer camping trips with my family to Ruth Lake — where every long day in the sun was finished with a community campfire and traditional s’mores.

I can’t think of many more things that scream summer like s’mores do. They may seem like an adolescent recipe, but let me tell you, even my 50+ year-old dad couldn’t get enough of them puffy marshmallow sandwiches tonight.

All that sugar got me to thinking… why oh why can’t a classy co-ed enjoy s’mores this summer to!? A backyard campfire is casual way to spend an evening socializing with new and old friends, and simple s’mores are an easy recipe that will please any guest.

CLassic S’mores

1 bag large marshmallows
1 box graham crackers
Hershey’s milk chocolate bars — you can never have too many!

Light a fire and let burn until flames have calmed somewhat. Place 1-2 ‘mallows on roasting stick — wood or metal — and roast until gooey in the center and golden brown. Place between two pieces of sweet graham with hunk of creamy milk chocolate. Enjoy… and don’t forget to lick your sticky fingers!

Healthified Version

several ripe bananas
1 batch of healthy, homemade grahams
dark chocolate

Place bananas (with peel) on the grill for 5 minutes on each side, or until peel gets dark. Peel bananas and scoop pulp out in a bowl. Pulp turns custard-like. Place 1-2T of grilled banana between 2 pieces of graham with a generous piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate.

* A smear of hearty-healthy peanut or almond butter would be a delicious addition, too!

Don’t forget to check out Kelsey’s advice for Becoming a Savvy Party Hostess with the “Mostest” before inviting your friends over. Wishing you s’more success this summer!  : )

Hillary is an intern at College Lifestyles and student of Food & Nutrition Communication at California State University, Chico. She thinks you are never too old or too classy for a classic s’more.