Up Your S'mores Game Tenfold With Girl Scout Cookies

It's hard not to like s'mores. Anyone who says they don't is bending the truth or just hasn't had the pleasure of having one hot off the campfire. But if you (or someone you know) still aren't convinced, it might be time to consider upgrading an ingredient like the humble graham cracker for something a bit more interesting, like Girl Scout cookies.

Since we may have the Girl Scouts to thank for the invention of s'mores, it only makes sense to draw inspiration once more from the organization. Timeless as graham crackers may be, paired with marshmallows and milk chocolate, a flashier cookie can add layers of flavor and texture without the need for further modification. But which biscuit is best?

Between the chewy Caramel Chocolate Chip, buttery Toffee-tastic, and brownie-inspired Adventureful cookies, it's safe to say that you have options. However, the best Girl Scout cookies for the task tend to be those richest in chocolate. Think Samoas (or Caramel deLites, depending on where you live in the U.S.) or Thin Mints. Audibly crunchy, doughnut-shaped Samoas are coated in a layer of toasted coconut and silky caramel, all before being drizzled in dark chocolate. Instead, Thin Mints consist of chocolate cookies dunked in a layer of minty ganache ... which sounds a lot more appealing than a faintly sweet graham cracker, right?

Beyond being a sweeter substitute, these Girl Scout cookies can also streamline your s'more crafting. Since the entire bottom layer of Samoas and Thin Mints are already covered in a thick layer of fudgy chocolate, there's really no need to add more. This makes them ideal for when you forget to pack a bar of chocolate or want to avoid the hassle of holding the confection in place as everything melts into a semi-stable sandwich.

As far as assembly goes, if you're huddled by a smoky campfire, start by toasting a giant marshmallow until it's golden brown. Next, use the bottoms of any two decadent Girl Scout cookies to carefully slide the gooey confection off of its skewer. Wait a few seconds for the s'more to adhere (and cool slightly!) before digging in. Should you be recreating a "Girl Scout Cookie S'more" within the comfort of your own home, simply build the s'mores completely before adding them to a baking sheet and toasting for several minutes. Once the marshmallows are soft and the chocolate starts to ooze, they're ready.

If minimalism isn't your thing and you really want to go a step further, consider incorporating other ingredients like a layer of peanut butter or a pinch of sea salt in between the confection — just make sure not to overdo it. After all, Girl Scout Cookie S'mores offer more than enough decadence on their own!