Dsc_0012_onecolumn

S'mores Chocolate Marshmallow Pie

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Chocolate, graham cracker and homemade marshmallow make up this unforgettable dessert.

  • Serves: 8 to 16
  • Active Time: 1 hr 15 mins
  • Total Time: 5 hrs
  • Comments: 29
  • Views: 7102
  • Success 100%

Step 1: Making the Graham Crust

Making the Graham Crust

Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Using a 9" pie plate, lightly butter to prevent sticking. If you use a non-stick or glass pie plate you can omit this part.

Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground. Alternatively you can use a clear plastic bag and a rolling pin to crush them.

Next melt the butter and add to the graham crackers, along with the sugar and salt. Mix together until evenly combined. Press the mixture into the pie plate, making sure to evenly cover the bottom and sides.

Bake for about 12 minutes, or until it just starts to firm up. Not too long as it will be baked again with the chocolate filling.

Once done, place onto a cooling rack and let cool at room temperature for approx. 30 to 45 minutes.

Keep oven at 350° F for the filling.

  • 1 tsp for buttering pie plate (if needed)
  • 10 graham crackers, about 1 1/2 cups or 6 oz)
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Step 2: Making the Ganache Filling

Making the Ganache Filling

Roughly chop the chocolate and place into a large bowl. In a medium-sized pot, bring the cream just to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let sit for about a minute. Gently whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. See the note in Step 3 for adding the salt (salt can be added at this point of after the pie bakes).

Next, gently whisk in the egg until evenly combined. Pour into the crust.

  • 7 oz quality chocolate (semi or bittersweet)*
  • 1 cup heavy cream (at least 33% milk fat)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature

Step 3: Baking the Filling

Baking the Filling

To bake the pie (350°F), cover the edge with a pie shield or cover the edges with a piece of foil.

Bake the pie for about 25 minutes or until the filling is just set. It should still shake or jiggle slightly in center. Once done, place onto a cooling rack and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.

If desired, lightly sprinkle the chocolate with a bit of fleur de sel as soon as it comes out of the oven. This will give the pie a nice sweet/savory contrast.

Note: Alternatively, you can add a pinch or two of salt to the chocolate and cream before you bake it.

  • 1/2 to 1 tsp fleur or gray salt

Step 4: Making the Marshmallow Topping

Making the Marshmallow Topping

Note: You will need a candy thermometer to make the marshmallow topping.

In a large, deep heat-proof bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over a 1/4 cup of the cold water. Let stand until softened, about 1 minute.

Next, in a clean heavy pot, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, a pinch of salt, and the remaining 1/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Boil this mixture until the thermometer registers 260°F (or 126°C), about 6 minutes or so.

Using an electric mixer, quickly beat together the water and gelatin. With the mixer set to medium speed, carefully start to pour in hot syrup in a slow and steady stream. Try to avoid hitting the beaters and side of bowl with the syrup.

Once all of the syrup has been added, increase the speed to high and continue beating until the mixture has tripled in volume and is very thick. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes.

Next, add the vanilla and beat just until combined.

  • 1 tsp unflavored gelatin (1/4 oz. pkg.)
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • candy thermometer

Step 5: Chilling the Pie

Chilling the Pie

Now immediately spoon the topping over the cooled pie filling. Gently spread the mixture to evenly cover the top of the pie.

Chill, uncovered for about 1 hour. Cover loosely with a piece of lightly oiled plastic wrap (oiled side down) and chill for at least 3 more hours.

Step 6: Serving the Pie

Serving the Pie

Just before serving the pie, transfer it to a baking sheet.

There are two ways to obtain a nice brown crust on top.

1) Preheat the broiler. Cover the edges of the pie with a pie shield or foil. Broil 3 to 4 inches away from the broiler, rotating the pie if necessary. Keep an eye on it and let it cook just until golden. This should take approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

2) Use a blow torch. Carefully turn on the torch and use the flame to color the marshmallow topping.

Once done, let the pie cool slightly. To serve the pie, dip a sharp knife into a tall jug of very hot water. This will make it easier to slice. Clean the knife and dry on a towel each time you cut a slice.

This pie is very rich so a small piece is plenty.

  • 1 jug hot water

Notes

* We used a chocolate that was approximately 70% cocoa mass...not too sweet...and not too bitter.

This was inspired by a recipe from Gourmet magazine. I have had the torn page on my desk for the last 2 years, so I thought I should finally give it a try. We have since made it again as everyone seemed to like it.

Juliana A

Type of Crust

Can the Graham Crust be replaced by a Sucrée Crust?

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Type of Crust

Sure why not, it would be pretty good actually. The only thing is it will make it less like a "s'more" - but otherwise it would be great. In fact, it might even be better as it won't be as sweet.

Juliana A

Baking the filling

You did not specify the oven temperature, is it 350ºF?

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Oven Temp...

Yes 350° F, is correct. Sorry about that I will update the recipe now.
Good luck!

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Oven Temp

I just checked it's actually already there in step 1 - it's the first line "Preheat your oven to 350ºF".

Anyways best of luck...it's yummy!

Juliana A

Not clear

Wasnt really clear that it apply for the rest of the steps.
Thanks for your luck im on it now :)

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Not Clear

I have updated the recipe to be more clear. Thanks for the heads up. I am here if you have any other questions - Cheers!

Juliana A

Nice that you are here :) Thanks and:

How long will a dessert like this stay fresh?

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: How Long Will it Keep

For me, it has never been around for more than one day. Most people have seconds and then we eat the rest the next day :-)

It will keep for a day or two, but after that the marshmallow topping will start to lose some of its fluffiness. It can also weep in the refrigerator. It will still be good though, just not the same as the first day you made it.

Juliana A

Can't wait!

Okis, thanks. Im almost done with it, now its chilling for the last 3 hours. I cant wait to try it!!! :)

The difficulty i had was with the marshmallow topping, pouring the hot syrup over the water and gelatin mixture. I almost had to start over because some of the syrup get really hard in the process :S

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

yeah!

I know the marshmallow part is tricky for sure! but in the end this is a fun and yummy dessert. Let us know how you like it.

Juliana A

I will!

:)

Juliana A

Delicious!

Next time i hope i can get semi or bittersweet chocolate. Anyway the one i just made tasted delicious! :)

Karina O

Delicious!

From Argentina, thenk you!
The pie was delicious and everybody wanted more.
It was easy and quick. Thanks

Lauren K

edges

Hello,
why do I need to cover the edges with foil?
Just wrap it all around the sides of the pie dish?

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Why Cover the Edges of the Crust

You only cover the edge of the pie, as it is pre-baked and could become too brown. If you were to cover the whole pie, it wouldn't bake properly.

Dee P

corn syrup

Hi there I want to make this dessert but I live in Europe and I don't think they have corn syrup here. What can I use as an alternative?

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Substitute for Light Corn Syrup

If you do not have light corn syrup you can substitute with equal amounts of treacle or honey. I think you might even be able to use the British "Golden Syrup" but I am not 100% sure on that one.

If you cannot find any of those you could always make your own light corn syrup. Just do a google search for how to make light corn syrup and you will find a few recipe for how to make it. Hope this helps!

Dee P

corn syrup

Thanks Dawn, I think your advice on making my own is probably best and while not being sure, I bet it is very easy!!

Ilene R

no fluff!

Oh so sad: we were so thrilled to work on this masterpiece! The crust and the filling are magnificent and the fluff didn't. We have a candy thermometer, so there was no guess work in this. But after 10 minutes and more we have a syrupy, gray, droopy mess.

The only thing that is different from your recipe - not even different but may make a difference - is that we used Kosher gelatin. I can't see how that would make a difference, but it is the only outlier ingredient.

We'll chill the pie and see what we can do. I'd hate to use processed stuff from the store; we'll prob just whip some (more) cream. Boo hoo!

Joe G
Rouxbe Staff

Standby... I'll get Kimberley to respond shortly

she's the in-house baking and pastry expert but is on set right now. Are you pressed for time? If so, I'll interrupt and ask her?

Kimberley S
Rouxbe Staff

RE: No Fluff

Sorry to hear you are having trouble. Working with sugar can sometimes be tricky.

The gelatin should not have made a difference. The pot you use to cook the sugar in must be extremely clean. I'm not entirely clear if you continued with the recipe when you say you had a "syrupy, gray, droopy mess"...or if you just stopped. If you did continue, the marshmallow will have quite a soft texture (not super stiff).

Also, sometimes, I hate to say, your thermometer can be off. When working with sugar, it is crucial that you reach the proper temperature to achieve a particular result. If you have time (I'm not sure if this is for Thanksgiving tomorrow or not), try again.

If you don't have time, I would even buy some marshmallows, place them on top, and lightly torch them with a kitchen blowtorch. It would look and taste very nice! Hope this helps! And Happy Thanksgiving!

Ilene R

thanks for your replies

two questions: what exactly should the marshmallow look like? I actually expected a soft texture sort of like egg whites for merangue - that high and fluffy but not stiff.

This was more like the consistency of a glaze for cake vs something with air.

next is: the recipe calls for 1 tsp of gelatin and in parens it says 1/4 oz. The packet of gelatin I had was .3 ounces, so I used 1 teaspoon as indicated. Should I have weighed it? Was it ok to use 1 tsp or was that the problem?

It is for thanksgiving and I'll give it a shot tomorrow again if I can; otherwise: whipped cream was the consensus around the troubleshooters in our house!
Thanks again,
ILene

Kimberley S
Rouxbe Staff

RE: No Fluff

The marshmallow topping won't form stiff peaks like a meringue. Hover over the pictures in the steps and the image will enlarge so you can see it a bit closer. I remember this topping being quite soft (sort of like semi-melted marshmallows) and it just barely held its shape.

I don't think you measured the gelatin incorrectly. You must have had very little left in the package if you measured 1 tsp. The difference between 1/4 ounce and 1/3 ounce won't make much of a difference here, so don't worry. A bit more gelatin would make it just a bit stiffer.

Good luck on your next try. Wish we could physically be there to help you out! I hope it turns out for you. Keep us posted. Cheers!

Ilene R

Thanks for getting back to me - i'll let you know the outcome!

- ilene

Jennifer D

can this crust be made gluten free

I am gluten intolerant and was wondering are there any ways to make this gluten free.

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

RE: Gluten Free Crust for S'mores Pie

I am sure you could use any gluten free crust for this pie. I did a quick online search and found many recipes for gluten free graham crusts. Here is a link to some gluten free graham crackers. Cheers!

Echo S

using store-bought marshmallows...?

is it possible to use store-bought marshmallows and melt them over a double broiler then using as pie topping? I have this HUGE package of marshmallows and have no idea what to do with them...

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Using Store-Bought Marshmallows?

We have not tried this ourselves but it would likely work. Give it a try and post your results. Cheers!

You must be a Rouxbe student to ask questions and comment. If you are already a Rouxbe student, please login. Note: Individual lessons purchased a-la-carte do not include this service.