What's better than a s'more? How about the Ultimate S'mores Sundae, loaded with homemade toasted marshmallow ice cream, dark chocolate ganache, candied bacon, and graham cracker crumble. #thisiswhyimfat
Yea, I get it. You probably would have liked this recipe towards the beginning of the summer. Sorry. My bad.
But you know what? Summer's still here. And guys, this may just be good enough to eat year round. Screw that. It is that good.
After taste-testing those 15 Creative S'mores Recipes a few weeks back (a painstaking process I tell ya... but all in the name of bringing you the best 😉 ), the candied bacon one was definitely a big winner. And then I got thinking. What about making this into a sundae. What about...
Homemade toasted marshmallow ice cream.
Rich dark chocolate ganache.
Buttery graham cracker crumble.
and... candied bacon. CANDIED BACON.
Ermagherd. People. I think you'll fall in love with this Ultimate S'mores Sundae. I know I have.
I'm not going to lie. Making an ultimate s'mores sundae is not one of those easy peasy desserts like this. Or this or this. There's some prep involved.
But it's worth it. I promise.
And when it comes to promises involving dessert, I don't mess around. Dessert is serious business.
The good news is that all the components of this sundae can be made ahead of time. You're welcome 😉
Look at that gorgeous-ness right there. Oh how I wish there was some of this left in the freezer. Toasted marshmallow ice cream with candied bacon? Yes freaking please.
And of course, just crumbling up graham crackers and throwing some chocolate syrup on this sundae isn't quite good enough. The graham cracker crumble is crispy buttery goodness. And this dark chocolate ganache... where have you been all my life?! You are so easy and delicious!
The Ultimate S'mores Sundae
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
for the Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups heavy cream, divided
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup sugar
- Pinch Kosher salt
- 5 egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
for the Graham Cracker Crumble
- 1 sleeve (from a 14 ounce box) graham crackers
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- Pinch Kosher salt
for the Dark Chocolate Ganache
- 8 ounces good quality dark chocolate
- ½ cup heavy cream
for the Candied Bacon
- Bacon
- Brown Sugar
- Extra toasted mini marshmallows, for garnish
Instructions
- Scoop toasted marshmallow ice cream into bowls. Top generously with dark chocolate ganache, graham cracker crumbles, candied bacon, and extra toasted mini marshmallows for garnish. Devour immediately.
for the Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream
- Preheat broiler and line a baking sheet with parchment paper sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Spread mini marshmallows into a single layer on sheet and broil until golden brown and toasted, about 2-3 minutes (make sure to keep a close eye on your marshmallows to keep them from burning!).
- Combine 1 cup of the heavy cream, milk, sugar, and salt in a medium pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture comes to a scald (just beginning to steam and before bubbles start to appear).
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk egg yolks. Whisking constantly, very slowly pour half of the scalding milk mixture into egg yolks and fully incorporate. Pour egg yolk mixture back into the pot with rest of milk mixture.
- Cook custard over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon. When you run your finger across the spoon, it should leave a definite trail. If using a thermometer (which I always do), aim for 170-175°F.
- Immediately pour mixture into blender with toasted marshmallows and blend until smooth. Make sure to firmly hold lid in place (the hot steam will try to pop it off!).
- Add remaining cup of heavy cream and vanilla extract into a large bowl with a mesh strainer set on top. Strain the ice cream mixture into the bowl and stir to combine with the heavy cream. Immediately place bowl over an ice bath, stirring constantly to completely cool the mixture quickly.
- Refrigerate mixture until very cold, at least 1 day and up to 3 days. Pour custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's directions. Remove ice cream to a container and freeze until ready to serve.
for the Graham Cracker Crumble
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Add graham crackers to a food processor and process into fine crumbs. Add sugar, pinch of salt, and melted butter and pulse until the mixture is well incorporated. Pour out onto baking sheet and form into one large, evenly layered "cookie" about ¼" thick.
- Bake until light golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely, and then break into crumbles. Can be stored in a ziploc bag for a day.
for the Dark Chocolate Ganache
- Finely chop chocolate into tiny chards and place in bowl. Heat heavy cream on the stove or in microwave until hot. It doesn't need to be bubbling or anything, just hot enough to melt the chocolate. Pour heavy cream over chocolate and stir until completely incorporated. Can be refrigerated until ready to serve. Reheat gently on stovetop or in microwave.
for the Candied Bacon
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Sprinkle both sides of strips of bacon with a bit of brown sugar. Place on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet and cook in oven until golden brown and crisp, about 15-25 minutes. Transfer candied bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Once cool, cut into bite sized pieces. Can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Take out of refrigerator for a bit before serving so it can warm up to room temperature.
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
Melanie
Wow Chris! You've totally outdone yourself with this one! My calorie counting is wiped out for the day.
Happy Wednesday!
Chris
Hahahah pssshhh... calories smhmalories.
Shashi
"Dessert is serious business" - this is truer than true Chris!
I am glad you saved this cornucopia of summer ice cream with fall's toasted marshmallows till now instead of the beginning of summer - this is perfectly timed for me - I have a hard time letting go of summer (sometimes I eat fro yo with a sweater on and extra hot coffee to chase it down) but the toasted marshmallows in the ice cream and a toasted one on top - makes this an ideal transition dessert!
Chris
Glad you hold on to summer too 🙂
Bianca
I want a bowl of that with extra graham cracker crumbles please!
Chris
Coming right up 😉
Cindy
Toasted marshmallow ice cream sounds amazing! Definitely worth the effort 😀 This looks seriously delicious!
Chris
DEF worth the effort!
Zainab
I am DYING over here!! Wow!! Love everything about this. And you are right, this is too good not to enjoy year round 🙂
Chris
Thanks Zainab!
Ashley
It's definitely still summer here with the heat so I think this is perfect timing! It looks outrageously good Chris! That toasted marshmallow ice cream ... the dark chocolate, bacon... gah!
Chris
I know... the heat is gross. Why was it mild all summer, then as soon as school starts.... boom HOT!
Krista
I dub thee... S'more King of the World!
Your s'more recipes are all killer! Can't wait to try this one too Chris!
Chris
Hahaha whoa, what an honor! Do I get to wear a crown or something?
Sarah
Summer is TOTALLY still here. (Says the girl who still has her s'mores recipe in the queue...). When I first saw that picture I was like, "OMG DOES THIS HAVE BACON IN IT?!" Then I started reading and nearly fell out of my chair. You know how to win me over.
Chris
I had to impress the candied bacon dessert queen! Your ice cream and cupcakes with candied bacon look ridiculously good!
Medha
Oh my god, yum! For me, s'mores are definitely more of a fall treat, so this is actually perfect for getting into autumn 🙂
Chris
Yes, fall treat. Exactly Medha! Hahaha
Helen
Really, with bacon? OK, I'd give that a try!
🙂
Chris
Yes, you totally need to try it 😉
Ceara
There's this amazing homemade ice cream spot in Toronto ("Greg's" if you are ever in town!) and the Toasted Marshmallow ice cream was always my favorite! This ice cream combo sounds amazing! I love it!
Chris
I've always wanted to get to Canada. Never have but I hear it's beautiful!
David
Candied bacon could quite possibly be the greatest food invention since, well, bacon. I love using it in salad, but I've never added it to a s'more. That, my friend, is pure genius! Well done! #golfclap #WolfpackEats
Chris
Hahaha agreed. I wonder what the next great food invention will be...
Sandra
Definitely Ok for the whole year....oh Chris, you might have gone too far with this one! I want to cry this looks so good 🙂
Chris
It's okay Sandra... let it out. Everyone needs a good food cry now and again.
Becca from It's Yummi!
Ohmigerd... You had me at candied bacon, and you just kissed me with those toasty marshmallows! *swoon*
Chris
Haha thanks Becca! Candied bacon tends to have that effect on my too
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen
AWESOME recipe, Chris! Definitely my kind of treat 😉
Chris
Thanks Olivia!
Alessandra // the foodie teen
Aaah, CANDIED BACON! Also, that marshmallow shot is so, so stunning! Yum!
Chris
Thanks so much Alessandra 🙂
nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
Good lord Chris!! THIS is amazing! Been drooling over it on Instagram since yesterday!!!
Chris
Hahaha thanks so much Nicole!
Kelly
Totally still summer around here with our scorching weather we're still getting so I say heck yes to MORE s'mores! I am loving all your brilliant s'mores recipes and this sundae looks mouthwatering! Candied bacon +sundae +gooey marshmallows = S'mores Genius! Pinned!
Chris
I know... the heat is crazy still, isn't it?!
Alice
A s'mores sundae with candied bacon and ganache?! freaking love this. this is brilliant!
Chris
Thanks so much Alice!
Taylor
I. Can't. Even. I want this for my Friday night treat. With a glass of whiskey on the side.
It's happening.
This is AMAZING Chris! Pinned!
Chris
Hope it happened! Hahaha!
Mike
You, my friend, are the S'more Overlord, I bow to you.
BTW adding candied bacon is a really nice touch! #WolfPackEats
Chris
Why thank you, thank you. Hahahahah
Laura Dembowski
Marshmallow ice cream! Enough said! Of course then you went and gilded the lily with toppings.
Chris
Hahaha thanks so much Laura!
Meghan
Toasted marshmallow ice cream and candied bacon! This is definitely the ultimate s'mores sundae! And thanks for stopping by! Looking forward to meeting you at the BHG event as well!
Chris
Thanks so much Meghan! I know... bacon is kinda cheating. Bacon anything has to be good. See you in a few days!
Nicole
Love your hashtag #thisiswhyimfat! You know that saying "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"? Well, they are wrong. Exhibit A: This Ultimate Smores Sundae!
Chris
Hahaha I'm not a fan of that phrase... because I cank think of about 1048393 things that definitely tastes better than skinny feels 😉
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
This is over the top in the best possible way! S'mores forever and ever amen.
Chris
Amen indeed!
Bri | Bites of Bri
Total STUNNER! Wow! The effort that went into this shows and it is mouth watering!
Chris
Thanks so much Bri!
Amy | Club Narwhal
Oh, have MERCY! This is the most glorious sundae I have ever seen. I am trying to restrain myself from licking the screen 🙂
Chris
Hahha, I find myself licking my laptop screen all the time #foodbloggerproblems
Dannii
How amazing do those marshmallows look!
Chris
Pretty amazing 😉 Hahaha thanks Dannii!
Kathy
This is on a whole new level of good. I've been wanting to make s'mores for some time now.
Chris
Hahaha thanks Kathy!
Lindsay
You have the most clever/creative s'mores recipes! This looks SO good! I need this in my belly..now!
Chris
Thanks Lindsay!
Tash
This look incredible! So simple and so comforting...
The photography behind this is also pretty amazing! I love the "cozied winter night" kinda theme that you have going! Pinned.
Chris
Thanks Tash!