Smores Layer Cake Recipe
This three-layer smores cake is a definitely a showstopper and is comprised of so many wonderful textures and flavors. There’s a graham cracker crust which lends a sugary, sandy, crunch under a moist, soft, and tender chocolate cake. The chocolate cake layers are divided by a thick, smooth, marshmallow buttercream that is rich and decadent. On top of the cake there’s a thin layer of marshmallow fluff that’s then topped with homemade marshmallows. They’re toasted to bring in the classic flavor of roasty-toasty smores. Smores cake is very rich, decadent, and is the essence of summer around a campfire, minus the actual campfire.
Ingredients in Smores Cake
To make the scratch chocolate cake batter for the smores cake, you’ll need the following ingredients:
All-purpose flour — This is the basis of our cake and is the primary structure. Granulated sugar — Sugar not only adds sweetness to the cake, it also aids in the texture and structure. Cocoa — This is what gives the cake its chocolate flavor. Baking soda & baking powder —These work in conjunction to help the cake rise. Salt — This enhances all of the flavors in this delicious cake. Eggs — Eggs help to bind the cake by creating structure and stability. Buttermilk — Besides adding moisture to the cake, buttermilk adds in a light tang and helps to create a soft cake. Oil — We use oil in this cake instead of butter as it is softer and results in a more moist and tender cake. Vanilla — Vanilla is used for an added, complemental flavor to the chocolate. Hot water — Hot water is added to help bloom the cocoa and break it down so that the cake has a rich cocoa taste without clumps of cocoa powder throughout.
To make a homemade scratch graham cracker crust that’s fast and easy, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Graham crackers — These are the basis of the graham cracker crust. Granulated sugar — Adds sweetness to the crust. Brown sugar — This brings out the richness of the graham crackers a little better than regular granulated sugar does. It enhances the crust which helps it stand out in this multi-layered cake with lots of big flavors. Butter — Butter helps to bind the graham cracker crust together.
Supplies Needed to Make a Homemade Smores Cake
Medium and large mixing bowls Whisk Rubber spatula Three 8-inch round cake pans Offset spatula Piping bag, coupler, and #1a piping tip Torch
How to Make a Smores Cake
Below is simply an overview of how the smores birthday cake is made. For detailed instructions and measurements, please head to the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
Step 1: Make the Chocolate Cake Batter
Step 2: Make the Graham Cracker Crust
Step 3: Assemble the Smores Layer Cake
Step 4: Make a Crumb Coat
For the third layer, layer on the last graham cracker crust and chocolate cake. Frost the top and sides of the cake with a thin layer of marshmallow buttercream. This is just the crumb coat (shown below) so don’t worry if the graham cracker crust comes apart and there are pieces of it throughout the frosted cake. The crumb coat should almost be thin enough to see the cake through. Place into the fridge for 20 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set so that once you frost it, the pieces in the crumb coat don’t move through the frosting.
Step 5: Frost the Smores Cake
This rich, sweet marshmallow buttercream is the best frosting for this cake. It keeps structure between layers. Once the crumb coat has set, frost the sides and the top with the remaining frosting. Using an offset spatula, smooth the sides out by holding the spatula parallel to the cake at a 45-degree angle. It will take a few times around the cake to smooth it out. To smooth out the top, place the offset spatula at a 45 degree angle at the edge and pull in towards the center of the cake. Go around the cake until the edges are smoothed down and somewhat square. Pipe dots about the size of a quarter onto the cake a centimeter from the edge. Pipe the remaining frosting in a circle in the center of the cake which helps hold the marshmallows in place. Using your hand, press crushed graham crackers onto the sides of the cake to add extra visual appeal as well as crunch.
Step 6: Decorate the Smores Cake
Homemade marshmallows garnish the cake and be toasted for a gorgeous finish!
Storage Instructions
Smores layer cake may be stored on a cake stand with a dome lid for 2 to 3 days at room temperature, or for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Tips for Making a Homemade Smores Cake
Although I wouldn’t describe the smores cake as “quick and easy,” it’s easier than you’d think. No individual component is overly difficult, although yes, it’s a time commitment. And as I mentioned, to save time use store-bought large marshmallows rather than making homemade. I put a couple of whole mini chocolate bars on as well as a few broken pieces. The chocolate pieces will begin to slightly melt on their own from the residual heat in the marshmallows if you’re using homemade. If they do not melt but you want them a bit melty, you can use your torch to heat them for just a few seconds. However, be careful because if you get too close to the chocolate or heat it for too long, it will burn.
Favorite Smores Recipes:
Soft and Gooey Loaded S’mores Bars — No campfire required for these soft, gooey, rich s’mores bars that are loaded with texture and flavor! The combination of chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows, all suspended in a buttery, brown-sugar based dough, is just magical. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! S’mores Bars — SO EASY, NO-BAKE, just FOUR ingredients, and ready in FIVE minutes!! It doesn’t get any better than that and no campfire required! A hit with kids and adults at parties, potlucks, and picnics!! Chocolate Chip S’mores Cookie Bars — Between layers of super soft chocolate chip cookie dough there’s chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbs for the most DECADENT smores ever!! So EASY and just 4 main ingredients!! S’mores Cake — Chocolate cake gets poked all over and soaked in a marshmallow creme mixture before being topped with crushed graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and hot fudge sauce. S’mores Brownie Pie — Each bite of the pie is so satisfying and starts with a base of dense, fudgy, rich brownies, topped with melted chocolate chips, fluffy gooey marshmallows, and sprinkled with crunchy bits of graham crackers! Soft and Chewy S’mores Cookies — Loaded with chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers!! The best smores you’ll ever eat and no campfire required! Peanut Butter S’mores Cookie Pie — A peanut butter and graham cracker cookie underneath gooey marshmallows and melted chocolate!! You don’t need a campfire for these easy and AMAZING smores! Grab a spoon and dig in!
