Pocket Camping S’Mores

Some people gather their families, or friends, and off they go to find the perfect camping spot. Other people prefer a bit more solitude. Are you in the last group? Love to get away from everyone, and everything, and just be alone for awhile? It can be fun and challenging to hike out on your own, and rough it for a few days, right? But a few comforts of home can help you get through those occasional moments of lonesomeness. Something like s'mores can be a delicious way to end a night alone in the wilderness. But a single person might not want to carry along a bag of marshmallows, a pack of chocolate bars, a box of graham crackers - it's way too much to pack. But when you condense all that into a single portion, just for you, you can carry your dessert in your pocket. When you're ready for it, just heat it up and enjoy.

An Altoids or similar tin is the perfect pocket container for the s'mores. The tins of breath mints are sold at grocery and drug stores, and come with a hinged lid. Open the emptied tin and line it so the s'mores don't stick. Cut a piece of wax paper, parchment, or even foil, and place it in the bottom of the tin. Cut it larger than the bottom so that the excess will cover the sides. Cut an additional piece of foil or paper, to be a perfect fit for the lid. Set this piece aside for now.

Break pieces of graham crackers and line the bottom of the tin with them. Or, crumble the grahams and put a thick layer of the crumbs in the bottom. Next, break up chocolate bars and cover the graham crackers completely. After the chocolate bars are in place, cover the whole thing with miniature marshmallows. It's okay if they rise above the tin; it will all fit once you close the lid. Lay the second piece of foil or paper over the marshmallows, and snap the lid shut.

There are various ways you can heat up the Altoids tin and melt the chocolate and marshmallows. One way, of course, is to set it in a fire. Another way is to put the tin on the dashboard of your vehicle on a hot day. The sun, streaming through the windshield, will melt the chocolate. Or, use a grill fire starter. Hold the fire under the tin, using a potholder, or put the flame directly on the marshmallows, with the lid open. No matter how you heat it, you'll love it!