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S’mores Cake Recipe

S’mores Cake Recipe

This yummy s’mores cake has graham cracker flavored layers frosted with chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream and delectable marshmallow fluff. Make it for a gathering and be ready for a shower of accolades coming your way.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 People

Ingredients
  

For the graham cracker cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 sleeve or 8-9 sheets of graham crackers
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ¼ tbsp salt
  • ¼ tbsp cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup oil
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ tbsp vanilla extract

For the meringue or marshmallow frosting

  • 6 large egg whites
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ tbsp vanilla bean paste

For the chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream

  • ½ of meringue frosting
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 oz dark chocolate chips
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions
 

For the graham cracker cake

  • Grease and line 3 6-inch cake tins with cooking spray and parchment paper, respectively.
  • Place a sleeve of graham crackers in a food processor and put it on high till there are no more big chunks
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and graham cracker crumbs together. Set this dry ingredients’ mixture aside.
  • Use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to beat the butter, granulated sugar, oil, vanilla extract and brown sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. It takes about 2-3 minutes.
  • Now add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after adding each. Ensure that you scrape the bottom of the bowl as and when needed to avoid lumps
  • Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the egg batter in 5 increments such that you begin and end with the dry ingredients.
  • Beat the mixture on medium speed just until the flour gets fully incorporated
  • Spread the batter evenly in all the prepared cake tins and bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for 30 minutes until the cake springs back when poked
  • Remove the cakes from the pans and let them cool completely before proceeding with the frosting

For the meringue or marshmallow frosting

  • Clean the aluminum bowl and whisk attachment of the stand mixer thoroughly as they can’t have any fat residue when making the frosting. Once they are clean and dry, put the egg whites and granulated sugar in the bowl.
  • In a small saucepan, simmer ½ cup of water. Keep it simmering in low heat as you place the aluminum bowl containing the egg whites and sugar on top of it, creating a double boiler.
  • Whisk the egg whites and sugar for 5-10 minutes until the latter is completely dissolved. [N.B. You can check it by feeling it between your fingers or using a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to a temperature of about 150°F]
  • Remove the bowl from the heat and place it in the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
  • Beat it on medium-high speed until stiff peaks are formed
  • Add the vanilla bean paste and beat the mixture till it is no longer warm. It will take around 10-15 minutes
  • Transfer half the meringue to a separate bowl and set it aside.

For the chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream

  • In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to simmer
  • Pour it over the dark chocolate kept in a medium bowl and let it melt for 1-2 minutes
  • Stir it into a smooth mixture
  • Allow it to cool completely
  • Put the stand mixer containing half of the meringue on medium speed
  • Slowly add the softened butter, 2-3 tbsp at a time
  • Even after the butter is fully incorporated, continue beating for a few minutes till it emulsifies into buttercream. It may go through soupy or curdled stages in between but comes together in a matter of 5-10 minutes
  • Add cocoa powder, salt and half the melted chocolate ganache. Set aside the other half.

For assembling the cake

  • Place one of the graham cracker cakes on a cake board and spread a thin layer of the chocolate buttercream over it
  • Then add a layer of meringue frosting and a swirl of chocolate ganache from the parts that were kept aside [N.B. If you want, you can reheat the chocolate in the microwave for 5-10 seconds before throwing it in]
  • Repeat the steps with a second layer of graham cracker cake
  • Place the 3rd layer of the graham cracker cake on top
  • Smooth out any buttercream excesses that pop out between the layers and refrigerate for an hour, at least
  • Place the remaining buttercream on the top and work its way down the sides using an offset spatula
  • Lightly spread dabs of meringue frosting and chocolate ganache from the parts set aside
  • Top off with extra graham cracker crumbs