This easy s’mores trifle recipe is a tasty twist on the classic campfire treat. With a few simple steps, you’ll have all the elements of s’mores turned into a decadent layered dessert in a jar.
Eat S’mores By The Spoonful
I love an indoor s’more! While it’s always fun to make traditional summer s’mores over an open flame, this revised recipe is just as delicious, a bit more fancy, and every bit as perfect, especially when eating by the spoonful.
The basics for the conventional, finger-licking goodie have always been the same: graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallow. But our version is a less messy, easily layered dessert with the same ooey-gooey goodness–no campfire required.
Since national S’mores Day is on August 10th this year, I decided to honor the iconic campfire comfort food by creating my very own rendition of this rich and decadent dessert.
Imagine heavenly layers of crunchy graham cracker crust, creamy chocolate pudding, and fluffy marshmallow creme all beautifully assembled in a mason jar. While this holiday may only be on the calendar once a year, why wait until summer when you can celebrate all year-round.
Easy S’mores Trifle
Originally I wanted to make this s’mores trifle recipe “no-bake” because the summer sun already provides enough heat in my kitchen. But then I decided to make it extra special and more s’mores-like by browning the mini marshmallows under the broiler for a few quick minutes.
So technically this (optional) last step exempts my treats from being truly “no-bake.” However, it does make them look authentic and gives them the perfect final touch. And since I broiled the marshmallows instead of baking them, I am just going to call these s’mores trifles my favorite “no-bake” homemade indoor indulgence!
Why We Love This S’Mores Trifle in a Jar Recipe
- Easy to make
- Simple steps for layering
- As delicious as it is pretty to look at
- (mostly) no-bake
- Fun twist on a classic campfire treat
- Make-ahead, single-serve dessert
- No sticky fingers
- Made in portable mason jars
- Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or barbeques
- Make them as homemade as you like
Ingredients / Shopping List
- Mini marshmallows: For the gooey goodness!
- Hershey’s chocolate bars: If Hershey’s chocolate isn’t your favorite, feel free to use your favorite type of chocolate bar or even baking chocolate bars.
- Whole or 2% milk
- Instant chocolate pudding: Feel free to make your own homemade chocolate pudding. I use instant pudding in this recipe to save time.
- Marshmallow crème: Also known as marshmallow fluff.
- Cream cheese: Make sure your cream cheese has softened.
- Whipped topping: I use store-bought whipped topping to save time, but you certainly can make your own.
- Graham cracker crumbs: Feel free to use plain or honey graham crackers. You can crush your own into crumbs or use store-bought crumbs to save time.
- Salted butter: Unsalted butter will be a fine substitute here. You could also replace the butter with melted coconut oil for a healthier option.
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How to Make S’Mores Trifle in a Jar
Making a s’mores trifle in mason jars is as simple as layering chocolate pudding and marshmallow creme on crushed graham crackers, and topping it all off with mini marshmallows. So easy but so good!
I like to make each component separately and set them aside until I am ready to assemble it all together.
For the chocolate pudding layer, melt the Hershey’s chocolate bar in the microwavable bowl. Allow the melted chocolate to cool slightly while preparing the pudding.
Follow the package instructions to prepare the instant pudding.
Mix in the cooled, melted Hershey’s chocolate with the pudding and stir until combined. Set this aside.
In a separate bowl, prepare the marshmallow creme layer by beating the marshmallow crème and cream cheese together until completely combined, about 2-3 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping and set aside with the other components.
Now it’s time to grind the graham crackers into crumbs using a food processor. Once your graham crackers are in crumb-form, pour them into a medium-size mixing bowl with the melted butter and mix to create a crust-like consistency.
It’s time to put your dessert together!
In each of your half pint (8 ounce) regular mason jars, press a layer of the graham cracker crust firmly into the bottom of the jar. Follow it with a layer of the chocolate pudding, then the marshmallow crème mixture. Repeat all three layers until the jar is full. Top with mini marshmallows.
If you’d like to have a nice golden brown marshmallow topping, you can place the mason jars on a sheet pan and heat the mini marshmallows under the broiler in the oven until the tops are browned, about 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully because they brown very quickly.
Garnish with additional chocolate squares and crumbled graham crackers. Dig in with your spoon and enjoy!
Variations / Options / Add-In’s
- Crust: Make “s’moreos” by using crushed oreos instead of the graham crackers.
- Chocolate nut butter s’mores: Add a thin layer of peanut butter, almond butter, or your favorite nut butter spread under the pudding to create chocolate nut butter s’mores.
- Pudding: You can make the pudding from scratch or use a boxed mix. Experiment with different flavors of chocolate–milk chocolate and dark chocolate s’mores are delicious! Or you can swap out the pudding for a layer of chocolate hazelnut spread or chocolate brownies.
- Serving for more: Instead of making s’mores in individual mason jars, you can add your layers to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
- Garnish: For a fruity topping and pop of color, garnish with fresh berries.
Tips
- This dessert has many different components to prepare before it can be assembled. After each layer is prepared, it can be set aside until you are ready to put it all together.
- Make sure all of the ingredients are cool before you assemble your trifle.
- Make sure you assemble the trifle layers carefully. Seeing all of the different layers is what makes this dessert look amazing.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make each component ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble.
Place a lid on the top of these trifles, put them in the refrigerator, and eat within 1 week. You can also freeze them for a few months, though they may not thaw well so I recommend using them for a tasty frozen treat.
You can make the trifle in a casserole dish and freeze the entire trifle, covered tightly for up to 2 months. (you will likely need to increase the ingredients)
Broiling and topping the trifle with mini marshmallows can be tricky. Here are a few suggestions to make this easier.
– Broil on “low” instead of “hi” in order to minimize the danger of burning the marshmallows.
– Instead of broiling the marshmallows while they are already assembled, use a sheet pan instead. Cover the sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone sheet and broil the marshmallows directly on top of the sheet pan. Wait for them to cool before placing them on top of your trifle.
– If you have a kitchen blow torch or heat gun, place the marshmallows on the top of the assembled dessert and brown them that way.
– Place the marshmallows on top of a small piece of graham cracker, set them on the sheet pan, and broil as normal. This will make it easier to pick up the cracker with the marshmallows on top. You can easily set both of these on top of the rest of the trifle. The graham cracker tastes delicious and usually can’t even be seen under the marshmallows!
– If you burn the marshmallows, wait for them to cool, and peel them off of the top. They will come right off! Start over again with a new set of mini marshmallows.
More Easy S’mores Recipes
S’mores Bars | S’mores Cookies | S’mores Dip | S’mores Hand Pies | S’mores Cookie Cups | S’more Bites | Peeps S’mores Dip | S’mores Thumbprint Cookies | S’mores Cupcakes | S’mores Dessert Trifle
S’mores Trifle
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup (about four 1.55 ounce) Hershey’s chocolate bars save two or three squares for garnish
- 3 cups cold whole or 2% milk
- 5.9 ounce instant chocolate pudding
- 1 jar marshmallow crème
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1½ cups whipped topping
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (~1 package of 8 graham crackers)
- 3 tbsp salted butter melted
Instructions
- This dessert has many different components to prepare before it can be assembled. After each piece is prepared it can be set aside until you are ready to put it all together.
- To prepare the chocolate pudding layer, melt the Hershey’s chocolate bar in a microwavable bowl in increments of 15-30 seconds. Stir often until the bars are completely melted. Allow the melted chocolate to cool slightly while preparing the pudding.
- Follow the package instructions to prepare the instant pudding by whisking together the cold milk and pudding blend together until smooth. Once smooth, mix in the cooled, melted Hershey’s chocolate. Stir until combined and set aside with the mini marshmallows.
- To prepare the marshmallow creme layer, beat the marshmallow crème and cream cheese together in a medium bowl until completely combined, about 2-3 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping and set aside with the other components.
- Finally, use a food processor to grind the graham crackers into crumbs. Pour them into a medium mixing bowl with the melted butter to create a crust-like consistency. Now you are ready to put your dessert together!
- Assemble your S’mores in 3-4 half pint (8 ounce) regular mason jars by pressing a layer of the graham cracker crust firmly into the bottom of the jar. Follow it with a layer of the chocolate pudding, then the marshmallow crème mixture. Repeat all three layers until the jar is full. Top with mini marshmallows
- Optional step: To get a nice golden brown marshmallow topping, turn the oven onto the broil setting. Place the jars on a sheet pan and heat the marshmallows in the oven until the tops are browned, about 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully because they brown very quickly.
- Garnish with additional chocolate squares and crumbled graham crackers, optional
Jenn’s Notes
- This dessert has many different components to prepare before it can be assembled. After each layer is prepared, it can be set aside until you are ready to put it all together.
- Make sure all of the ingredients are cool before you assemble your trifle.
- Make sure you assemble the trifle layers carefully. Seeing all of the different layers is what makes this dessert look amazing.
What kind of jars can u use
There is a 3.9 box of instant pudding that requires two cups of milk?? I didn’t see a 5.9