Easy, real, and guaranteed to get sticky fingers and sleepy smiles
There’s something about that first proper chill of the evening, when the sun dips low behind the hills and the fire starts to crackle just right, that makes you crave hot chocolate. Proper hot chocolate. The kind that warms your hands and your insides. And while we’re at it – yes, we’re absolutely doing s’mores.
We made this last up in the North Pennines, tucked into a quiet patch of wild, at the sweet campsite of Usher Gap: just us, Badger, and a decent stack of firewood. I was seven months pregnant with Petra at this point and hot chocolate cravings were strong! Isla and Charlie were on marshmallow duty, arguing about the “perfect toast level” like it was a matter of national importance.
Anyway, here’s how we make ours:
Campfire Hot Chocolate (Makes 4 mugs)
You’ll need:
- 1 litre whole milk (or oat milk—it froths beautifully)
- 100g dark chocolate (70% or higher), roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey/maple if you’re that way inclined)
- A pinch of sea salt (trust me)
- A splash of vanilla extract (optional)
- Whipped cream or marshmallows (totally optional, but the kids will tell you they’re not)
How to make it:
- Pour the milk into a camping pot or enamel pan and warm it slowly over the fire. Don’t rush it – scorched milk ruins the vibe!
- Stir in the chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and vanilla (if using). Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- When it’s steaming hot (but not boiling), pour into mugs. Add toppings if you’re feeling generous.
- Warning: this stuff is rich!
Foolproof Firepit S’mores
You’ll need:
- Big marshmallows (not the mini ones -go big or go home)
- Chocolate (we use milk, Isla insists on Cadbury’s)
- Digestive biscuits or shortbread.
- Long sticks or skewers (safety first…ish)
How to make them:
- Toast your marshmallow slowly over glowing embers – not open flames unless you want a blackened lump.
- Sandwich it between two biscuits with a chunk of chocolate. Squish it until the chocolate starts to melt and the marshmallow begins to ooze out of the sides.
- Try not to drop it, like Luke did; you’ll only get one chance before the dog gets involved.
- Repeat. Accept that by now, the kids will have marshmallow in their hair, on their jumpers, and probably in their eyebrows!!
Final Notes from the Fire
There’s no real secret to this, other than not rushing it. Let the night settle in around you. Listen to the kids bicker over whose marshmallow is “the most golden.” Laugh when someone drops theirs in the dirt. This is the kind of mess that matters. The kind you remember.
And when everyone’s quiet, sipping their hot chocolate or licking their fingers clean… that’s when you know you’ve done it right.
Let me know if you try it, or if you’ve got your own wild versions. I’ve heard whispers of peanut butter s’mores but haven’t been brave enough. Yet!
