Grilled S'mores (Canadian Muskoka Style) | Arteflame

Introduction

Imagine the scent of pine needles mixing with the sweet aroma of toasted sugar as you bite into a warm, buttery cookie. That is the essence of this Muskoka-style s'more. By trading standard graham crackers for Maple Leaf cream cookies, we create a dessert that is rich, velvety, and deeply comforting. The cookie warms gently on the grill, softening the maple filling until it melds perfectly with the gooey marshmallow and melting chocolate. It is the perfect treat for a crisp autumn evening or a summer night by the lake, bringing a touch of gourmet flair to the campfire.

Why This Upgrade is Essential

I love this recipe because it elevates a childhood classic into a genuine experience without adding complexity. The Arteflame grill allows for a unique dual-cooking method: roasting the marshmallow over the open fire while simultaneously warming the cookies on the flat top. This ensures the chocolate melts evenly—no more biting into hard, cold squares! The balance of the maple flavor with the smokiness of the fire creates a taste profile that is authentically Canadian and utterly delicious.

Kitchen Wisdom

• Low and Slow: When warming the cookies on the flat top, stick to the coolest outer edge. The high sugar content in the cookies means they can go from toasted to burnt in seconds.
• The Marshmallow Bind: Ensure your marshmallow is roasted through to the center. You need that internal heat to slightly liquefy the maple cream filling when you squish the s'more together.

Make It Your Own

If you cannot find maple cream cookies, golden vanilla sandwich cookies make a fantastic substitute. For those who find the double-sugar hit too intense, swap the milk chocolate for a square of 80% dark chocolate to cut through the sweetness.

Ingredients

• 8 Maple Leaf Cream Cookies (or similar maple-flavored sandwich cookies)
• 4 Large Roasting Marshmallows
• 1 Bar of High-Quality Milk or Dark Chocolate (divided into squares)
• Optional: Candied Bacon strips (for a savory twist)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Grill

1. Fire up your Arteflame grill and allow it to reach a steady cooking temperature. You want a bed of hot coals in the center for roasting, but a medium-heat surface on the flat cooktop.
2. Clean the flat top ring to ensure no savory residue transfers to your dessert, or designate a specific "sweet spot" on the griddle surface.

Step 2: Warm the Cookies

1. Separate your Maple Leaf cookies carefully. While you can keep them whole, separating them allows you to warm the cream center directly.
2. Place the cookies on the outer, cooler edge of the flat top grill plate. Let them warm for about 30 to 60 seconds—just enough to soften the maple cream filling without burning the cookie itself.

Step 3: Melt the Chocolate

1. Place a square of chocolate on the bottom half of each warming cookie.
2. Allow the residual heat from the griddle to soften the chocolate until it begins to look glossy. This ensures that when you take your first bite, the chocolate is velvety smooth rather than a hard, cold chunk.

Step 4: Roast the Marshmallow

1. Skewer your marshmallows and roast them over the open fire in the center of the Arteflame.
2. Rotate consistently to achieve a golden-brown exterior and a gooey, liquefied center. For this recipe, a thoroughly melted interior is crucial to bind the heavy maple cookies together.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

1. Carefully slide the roasted marshmallow onto the chocolate-topped cookie.
2. Top with the second cookie half and press down gently to squish the marshmallow and spread the melted chocolate.
3. Serve immediately while warm and gooey.

Tips

Achieving the perfect Muskoka-style s'more requires a bit of finesse, particularly when dealing with maple cream cookies, which have a higher sugar content than graham crackers and can burn quickly if left unattended. When warming the cookies on the flat top grill, always stick to the coolest outer ring; you are looking to awaken the oils in the cookie, not toast it crispy. Furthermore, the choice of chocolate makes a significant difference. Because the maple cookies are intensely sweet, consider using a semi-sweet or dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa) to provide a necessary bitterness that balances the sugar overload. If you are roasting marshmallows over the center grate, use a long metal skewer to keep your hands safe from the intense heat of the Arteflame. Finally, have a damp cloth nearby—these treats are notoriously messy, but the sticky fingers are well worth the delicious experience.

Variations

While the classic maple cookie combination is iconic, there are several ways to customize this Canadian treat to suit different palates or dietary needs. The robust nature of the Arteflame grill allows you to experiment with ingredients that might otherwise be difficult to manage over a standard campfire. Here are a few creative twists to try next time you fire up the grill:

• The Lumberjack: Add a strip of crispy, salt-cured bacon between the marshmallow and the chocolate. The salty crunch cuts through the maple sweetness perfectly.
• The Nutty Canadian: Smear a thin layer of almond butter or peanut butter on the cookie before adding the chocolate for a protein-packed, savory undertone.
• Berry Bliss: Place a slice of fresh strawberry or a few raspberries on the melting chocolate to add a tart, fruity brightness to the dessert.
• Double Dark: Use chocolate maple cookies instead of the vanilla variety and pair with 70% dark chocolate for a decadent, truffle-like richness.
• The Boozy twist: Briefly dip your roasted marshmallow in a shot of Irish Cream or coffee liqueur before assembling for an adult-only version.

Best pairings

To fully enjoy the rich, sugary decadence of a Muskoka-style s'more, your beverage choice should act as a palate cleanser or a complementary flavor enhancer. You want drinks that can stand up to the intense sweetness of the maple cream and marshmallow without getting lost. A hot, black coffee is perhaps the most traditional pairing; the bitterness of the roast contrasts beautifully with the sugar, making every bite taste fresh. For an evening option, a smoky single-malt scotch or a Canadian rye whisky echoes the smoky notes from the wood-fired grill, tying the culinary experience together. If you prefer beer, opt for a dark Stout or Porter with coffee or chocolate notes, which harmonizes with the dessert rather than fighting it. For the kids or non-drinkers, a cup of hot cocoa made with dark chocolate and a pinch of sea salt is the ultimate cozy companion.

Conclusion

The Canadian Muskoka-Style Grilled S'more is more than just a dessert; it is a celebration of outdoor living and the comfort of shared meals. By utilizing the Arteflame grill to perfectly toast the marshmallows and gently warm the maple cookies, you transform a simple sugar fix into a gourmet event. This recipe captures the essence of the Canadian wilderness—sweet, rustic, and unforgettable. Whether you are hosting a summer barbecue or gathering around the fire pit on a crisp autumn evening, these maple-infused treats are guaranteed to become a new tradition. So, ditch the graham crackers, embrace the maple leaf, and get ready to experience the ultimate campfire indulgence. Gather your friends, fire up the grill, and savor the sweet taste of the North.