Sheet Pan S’mores Tart: Your Ultimate Guide to Year-Round Indoor S’mores Perfection
Sheet Pan S’mores Tart – Forget the campfire! This delightful tart brings the classic s’mores experience indoors with a unique graham cracker crust, a luscious chocolate layer, and a heavenly light marshmallow meringue topping. Perfect for any season!
As the vibrant hues of summer gently fade into the crisp embrace of autumn, a sense of routine often returns to our homes. While the warmth of those long summer days might be a recent memory, the joy of a good s’mores treat doesn’t have to be limited to outdoor campfires and starry nights. In fact, we’ve found the perfect way to bring that beloved gooey, chocolaty, and toasted marshmallow flavor right into your kitchen, ready to be enjoyed all year long: the Sheet Pan S’mores Tart. It’s a game-changer, especially during those busy transitional periods when life feels like a whirlwind of activities, but you still crave comforting homemade treats.
Our household, much like many others, has been adjusting to new rhythms. With my husband and I navigating trips, family visits, and then another short journey, the first half of the school year felt like a constant motion. But now, with a more settled routine taking shape, there’s a quiet satisfaction in returning to simple pleasures. My son, thankfully, has embraced middle school with enthusiasm, wanting to dive into every club and sport imaginable. While we’re still figuring out the practicalities of a limited schedule, his excitement is a wonderful reminder to savor these moments. And what better way to celebrate new routines and cozy evenings than with a dessert that evokes happy memories and creates new ones?
Why Choose a Sheet Pan S’mores Tart?
The beauty of this sheet pan s’mores tart lies in its sheer convenience and its ability to deliver the quintessential s’mores experience without the need for a roaring fire. No more dealing with smoky clothes, unpredictable flames, or sticky fingers from individual marshmallow roasting. Instead, you get a beautifully structured dessert that feeds a crowd and looks incredibly impressive, yet is surprisingly easy to assemble. It’s the ideal treat for birthday parties, family gatherings, holiday potlucks, or just a cozy night in. This recipe transforms the classic campfire treat into an elegant, shareable dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, proving that s’mores truly aren’t just a summer exclusive.
Crafting the Perfect Graham Cracker Crust
The foundation of any great s’mores is a delicious graham cracker. For this sheet pan tart, we’ve opted for a crust that’s a slight departure from the traditional butter-heavy version, offering a lighter yet equally satisfying base. By incorporating egg whites, we manage to cut down on some of the fat and calories typically found in all-butter crusts, while still achieving that delightful crunch and flavor. This innovative approach yields a crust that’s firm enough to hold its shape beautifully, yet crumbles delicately with each bite. If you have a tried-and-true graham cracker crust recipe that you absolutely adore, feel free to substitute it! Just be sure to prepare enough to cover a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan. A standard pie crust recipe might need to be doubled, or you could simply halve the filling and topping ingredients and bake this delectable dessert in an 8-inch square baking dish for a smaller batch. Flexibility is key when it comes to delicious homemade treats!
The Luscious Chocolate Layer: Heart of the S’mores Tart
What would s’mores be without that melting, rich chocolate? Our sheet pan s’mores tart features a generous layer of semi-sweet chocolate chips that are gently melted right on the warm crust. The key here is uniformity – sprinkle the chips evenly after the crust comes out of the oven, give them a couple of minutes to soften, and then spread them into a smooth, decadent layer. This creates a flawless, gooey chocolate foundation that perfectly complements the crunchy crust and fluffy topping. While semi-sweet is a classic choice, don’t hesitate to experiment with milk chocolate for a sweeter profile or a mix of dark and milk chocolate for added depth. The quality of your chocolate can truly elevate this dessert, so choose your favorite!
Mastering the Marshmallow Meringue Topping
Perhaps the most exciting and visually appealing part of this s’mores tart is the light, marshmallow-like meringue topping. Many home bakers shy away from meringue, fearing it’s too complicated or temperamental. However, with a few simple steps and a trusty timer, you’ll achieve a perfect, ethereal topping every single time. The secret lies in a hot sugar syrup, which not only stabilizes the egg whites but also creates that wonderfully fluffy, glossy texture reminiscent of toasted marshmallows. Don’t be tempted to cut short the beating time – letting your electric mixer work for the full recommended duration ensures stiff, beautiful peaks. The transformation from liquid egg whites to a cloud-like confection is truly magical and surprisingly straightforward.
Once your meringue is perfectly whipped, spreading it over the cooled chocolate layer is a simple task. Then comes the grand finale: a quick trip under the broiler. This step is crucial for achieving that iconic golden-brown, slightly caramelized crust that makes s’mores so irresistible. Watch it closely, as broilers can vary in intensity, but in just 2-3 minutes, you’ll have a stunning, perfectly toasted meringue. The contrast between the crisp, airy meringue, the melting chocolate, and the firm graham cracker crust creates a symphony of textures and flavors that will have everyone reaching for another slice.
I recall seeing this recipe in a “Cooking Light” magazine and instantly knew I had to make it. Initially, I anticipated a complex baking project, but once I started, I was genuinely surprised by its ease. It truly is a simple recipe with impressive results. So, trust the process, gather your ingredients, and prepare to impress your family and friends with this incredible sheet pan s’mores tart this weekend!
Sheet Pan S’mores Tart
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Ingredients
Crust
- 1 14.4-oz. box graham crackers
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 whole egg
- 1 egg white
Filling
- 2 12 oz bags semi-sweet chocolate chips
Topping
- 4 egg whites
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Prepare a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan by spraying it generously with non-stick cooking spray.
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To make the crust, crush graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, melted butter, salt, one whole egg, and one egg white. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared jelly roll pan, ensuring it forms a compact layer. Bake for 8 minutes.
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Remove the crust from the oven and immediately sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the hot crust. Return the pan to the oven for 2 minutes, allowing the chocolate chips to soften and melt. Take it out of the oven and use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread the melted chocolate evenly over the entire crust. Let the chocolate layer cool completely at room temperature, or briefly in the refrigerator, to set.
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Once the chocolate is set, preheat your oven’s broiler.
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For the meringue topping, place the remaining 4 egg whites (ensure they are at room temperature), vanilla extract, cream of tartar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt into the clean bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until the egg whites form soft peaks.
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In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1/3 cup of water. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring just until the sugar dissolves. Continue to cook without stirring until a candy thermometer inserted into the syrup reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120°C).
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With the electric mixer running on medium-low speed, very slowly and carefully pour the hot sugar syrup in a thin, steady stream into the egg whites. Be careful not to pour directly onto the whisk. Once all the syrup has been added, increase the mixer speed to high and continue to beat until the meringue is thick, glossy, and forms stiff peaks, about 5-7 minutes.
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Evenly spread the marshmallow-like meringue over the completely cooled chocolate layer on the tart.
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Carefully place the sheet pan under the preheated broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the meringue turns beautifully golden brown and lightly toasted. Keep a very close eye on it to prevent burning, as broilers can brown quickly.
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Allow the tart to cool completely before cutting it into desired slices or squares to serve. Enjoy your homemade Sheet Pan S’mores Tart!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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Even More S’mores Recipes You Might Like:
- Fluffy S’mores Dip by Homemade Hooplah – A warm, gooey dip perfect for sharing.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies S’mores by Nutmeg Nanny – A delicious twist combining two favorite desserts.
- S’mores Bark from Sparkles to Sprinkles – A simple, no-bake treat for quick s’mores satisfaction.
- S’mores Peanut Butter Cups by Spend with Pennies – Indulge in individual cups of s’mores goodness.
- Classic Oven S’mores – For those who prefer the traditional deconstructed s’mores experience, baked in the oven.