I’m hosting a bridal shower for my lovely friend Hannah next month. There’s a loose theme of sweets/desserts so I decided to make gourmet s’mores kits for the favors. Homemade marshmallows were a given, but I’d never attempted to make homemade graham crackers. Every recipe and blog post I saw gushed on and on about how amazing they are and I didn’t doubt it, as most homemade versions are better than store bought.
I tried two different recipes and the crackers did turn out well, but were more like soft cookies (similar to gingerbread cookies) than crunchy store bought crackers. When I rolled them out very thinly, they did snap and crunch, but were more like crispy crackers than graham crackers. The first recipe from King Arthur Flour was simple and really good, although Nancy Silverton’s recipe was richer, with an underlying flavor of molasses.
While I loved the soft texture of the thicker graham crackers, they weren’t quite right for s’mores, and I didn’t like the thin version, which was too thin and crispy for my taste. Plus, they are fairly time consuming to make – rolling out the dough, chilling, cutting, poking holes in it, etc. takes a long time and I have to make several for each guest (there will be 20-25).
I’m opting for store bought graham crackers, but will make homemade vanilla bean marshmallows (recipe coming soon), which definitely trump store bought any day. Add in Ghirardelli milk chocolate squares, a cute label and bag, and hopefully I’ll have a favor that people will love. If you received a kit like this at a party, would you be happy? Also, do you have a favorite brand of graham crackers? Or do you think they’re all the same?
L
July 21, 2010 at 2:56 pm (14 years ago)Simply put, they’re not all the same. Which kind you want though would depend on the kind of people you’re making favors for. Are they more mainstream and nostalgic for the campfire classic? That would be Honey Maid all the way. Are they more into healthy/organic/unique stuff? There are a pretty wide variety of graham crackers made for markets that are more into heartier grainier textures, stronger molasses flavors, more sweet, less sweet, more vanilla flavor, less vanilla flavor, and offer products with healthier fats and sugars.
Stephanie
July 27, 2010 at 5:52 pm (14 years ago)I think I’m going with Honey Maid to satisfy everyone and save some $. Personally I also love the hearty all-natural crackers!
Dani
July 21, 2010 at 3:36 pm (14 years ago)what do you EVEN MEAN, would you be happy? Who wouldn’t be happy with an adorable little kit like that?! You could sell those on Etsy and make a bundle, especially in the summer.
Stephanie
July 27, 2010 at 5:52 pm (14 years ago)Thanks for the idea and info, I am thinking about it…
FrenchPressMemos
July 23, 2010 at 6:49 pm (14 years ago)Beautiful idea! Graham crackers are basically the only thing I buy (not make) for my daughter and I supposed I can change that! Thanks for sharing.
Magic of Spice
July 24, 2010 at 1:59 pm (14 years ago)The thicker version sounds good to me:) And they look great!
Carol Egbert
July 26, 2010 at 6:17 am (14 years ago)These crackers look perfect. This week I’m making gingersnaps, I’m not sure how they’ll compare in texture to the box kind. But like these graham crackers I’m sure they’ll be more delicious than what you buy at the grocery store.