Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: August 10th, 2022. Did you know today is National S’mores Day and also National Banana Split Day. I don’t know about you but if Charlie had the chance he would want a Smore. While David would take a Banana Split. I would pass both of these holidays up as I don’t care for Smore’s or Banana Splits.
We honor the most commonly packed camping snack by celebrating National S’mores Day on August 10th. Summertime is finally here and with it comes camping and gathering around the firepit in the great outdoors. Originating right here in the U.S.A., the S’more has us salivating in anticipation of toasted Marshmallows with a slab of Chocolate between two Graham Crackers.
History of National S’mores Day
While the origins of National S’mores Day remain unknown, S’more, is the great American camping treat, has a long, delicious history. The first mention of such a treat was in the 1920s in a book of recipes published by Campfire Marshmallows, home of the original Marshmallow and still in business today. At that time, the recipe was called a ‘Graham Cracker Sandwich’ and suggested the treat had already been made popular by the Boy- and Girl Scouts.
Later, in 1927, the Girl Scouts published a similar recipe in “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” but they called it ‘Some More.’ Finally, in the late ’30s to late ’50s, various recipes gave the name as we know it today, S’mores.
The ingredients for the original S’mores are: one Marshmallow, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate squares, and two Graham Crackers. The traditional method for making S’mores is by a campfire. We all know it’s hard to beat that experience. Part of the fun is each person searching for their own long, sturdy stick capable of holding a mound of Marshmallows over the fire for toasting.
Then comes the toasting debate. How toasted do you want your Marshmallows? Of course, this leads to a full-on psychological evaluation. Do you set your Marshmallow on the fire and blow the flame out once it is burnt? Do you allow your Marshmallow to hover over the flame and toast to a less than charred yet Caramelized state? Or do you barely get the Marshmallow tan?
Whatever your preference on Marshmallow toasted-ness, the end result is the same: smiles and full bellies. Enjoy your time today with family, and S’mores!
Chocolate, Graham Crackers, and Marshmallows facts:
- Hershey Company makes more than 373 million HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Bars a year. That’s enough to make 746 million S’mores!
- HONEY MAID Graham Crackers were introduced in 1925. They are the leading brand of Graham Crackers in the U.S.
- Every HONEY MAID Graham Cracker is made with the goodness of 5 grams of Whole Grain per serving and real Honey.
- Americans buy around 90 million pounds of Marshmallows every year.
- Did you know? S’mores were ‘invented’ by the Girl Scouts
Ways to Celebrate National S’mores Day
- The best place to be today is around a campfire, preferably in the Woods with family. Did you know, 50% of the Marshmallows sold during the Summer are toasted around the campfire? Raise a toasted Marshmallow in honor of camping’s favorite treat.
- Invite familyover for a night around your fire pit to enjoy a S’mores bar. Make a beautiful spread of the main ingredients but have a few surprise additions including Strawberries, Raspberries, and Chocolate Sauce for drizzling. Did you know you can purchase Chocolate Stuffed Marshmallows? A campfire crowd-pleaser!
- We live in the age of ‘limited edition flavors’ of every snack food known to man. S’mores is a wildly popular flavor so look for a few to sample as a tasty twist on classic treats like: Muffins, Trail Mix, and Granola Bars.
5 Facts About S’mores
- 41% of people surveyed in a recent study enjoy S’mores most during the Summer. The 20% die-hards enjoy S’mores year-round.
- It’s no surprise that 60% of people say roasting Marshmallows is the best part of creating the perfect S’more.
- 31% of those who have eaten Smores have only made them over the Campfire.
- Over half of people surveyed in a study know of at least one alternative way of making S’mores instead of over a Campfire.
- 75% of parents say they enjoy S’mores with their kids during Summer.
- Did you know the Banana Split was invented in 1904 at Strickler’s Drug Store in Pennsylvania?
- A Banana Split starts with a Banana split lengthwise. Topped with scoops of Ice Cream, assorted Syrups. Topped with Whipped Cream and a Maraschino Cherry.
- A Banana Split is an Ice Cream-based dessert. In the Banana Splits classic form it is served in a long dish called a boat.
- A Banana is cut in half lengthwise hence the split in Banana Split and laid in the dish.
- There are many variations, but the classic Banana Split is made with scoops of Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry Ice Cream served in a row between the split Banana.
Today is the day to go Bananas. On August 9th, it’s National Banana Split Day! Give your taste buds the thrill of Ice Cream and Chocolate covering a Banana topped with Nuts, a Maraschino Cherry and Whipped Cream.
The original Banana Split wasn’t created in an Ice Cream Parlor but in a pharmacy in 1904. Banana Splits were the brainchild of David Evans Strickler, a pharmacist’s apprentice who enjoyed experimenting with new soda fountain Sundaes in his free time. These dished were so popular with the college crowd that students willingly paid 10 cents, double the price of a normal Sundae. Try a Banana Split and you’ll understand why the Banana Split is a classic!
National Banana Split Day Activities
- The best thing you can do to celebrate a Banana Split is to enjoy a Banana Split with family. Grab spoons and battle your way to the last Fudgy, Banana-filled bite!
- Use National Banana Split Day to up your Banana Split game with creative ways to cook the Bananas. Fry the Bananas up and dust them with Cinnamon and Sugar, caramelize the Bananas like Bananas Foster, freeze the Bananas and dip them in Chocolate. You’ll go Bananas for these new recipes!
- Gather all the tasty ingredients you want in your Banana Split and throw the ingredients in a blender. In seconds, you’ll blend your way to a frosty treat that’s good until the last drop!
Why PEOPLE Love National Banana Split Day
- A Banana Split is usually served with 3 scoops of Ice Cream, Fudge, Whipped Cream, a Banana split in half, and a Cherry, the perfect family-style dessert.
- Choose your Ice Cream flavors and toppings. Drizzle different Chocolates on top and slice your Bananas in different ways. The Banana Split offers endless flavor combos so you can change a Banana Split to our own, unique tastes.
- For decades, Banana Splits have been a family favorite in Ice Cream Parlors and Soda Fountains across America. Maybe it’s because Banana Splits rekindle that childhood nostalgia, helping us find the joy in simple, old-fashioned things like Ice Cream, Fudge, and Bananas.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
