Cherry S'Mores

No campfire needed for these. Graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows get the s’mores treatment right in the microwave, with a spoonful of cherry pie filling on top that takes the whole thing from nostalgic to genuinely interesting. The warm cherries, melted chocolate, and puffy marshmallow all mingle together on that crunchy cracker base.

The three-stage microwave approach matters. Chocolate first, then marshmallow, then cherries. Each component needs a different amount of heat. Chocolate just needs to start melting (overcook it and it seizes), marshmallows puff up in seconds, and the cherry filling just needs a quick warm-through.

The cherry pie filling adds a tart, fruity counterpoint that cuts through the sweetness of the marshmallow and chocolate. It’s the same flavor combination as a chocolate-covered cherry, but in s’more form.

Kitchen Tips

• Watch the marshmallows carefully. They go from puffy to exploded in about 5 seconds in the microwave.
• Use a full-sized chocolate bar, not chips. The flat pieces sit better on the cracker and melt more evenly.
• Let them cool for about 30 seconds before eating. The cherry filling and melted chocolate are surprisingly hot straight out of the microwave.

Variations

• Use strawberry or blueberry pie filling instead of cherry for a different fruit pairing.
• Swap the milk chocolate for dark chocolate for a richer, less sweet version.
• Drizzle with a tiny bit of peanut butter for a chocolate-cherry-peanut butter combination.