Save Soft, chewy cookie muffins infused with warm chai spices, studded with chocolate and graham cracker pieces, and topped with gooey toasted marshmallows—this playful twist on the classic campfire treat brings together all your favorite flavors in muffin form for a comforting dessert.
I first tried this chai spiced smores cookie muffin idea on a cool fall weekend, craving the nostalgia of campfire treats but wanting something easy to make in the kitchen. The combination of warming spices with graham and melted chocolate immediately won over my family.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
- Graham cracker crumbs: 1 cup (100 g)
- Baking soda: 1 tsp
- Baking powder: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1 1/2 tsp
- Ground cardamom: 1/2 tsp
- Ground ginger: 1/2 tsp
- Ground cloves: 1/4 tsp
- Ground allspice: 1/4 tsp
- Ground black pepper: 1/4 tsp
- Unsalted butter, melted and cooled: 1 cup (225 g)
- Brown sugar, packed: 3/4 cup (150 g)
- Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup (100 g)
- Large eggs, room temperature: 2
- Pure vanilla extract: 2 tsp
- Milk: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
- Semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate: 1 1/4 cups (210 g)
- Large marshmallows (or mini marshmallows): 12 (or 24 mini marshmallows)
- Coarsely chopped graham crackers (extra, for topping): 1/2 cup (50 g)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven & Pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, allspice, and black pepper.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Stir in vanilla extract and milk.
- Combine Mixtures:
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Mix-ins:
- Stir in chocolate chips and chopped graham crackers.
- Fill Muffin Tin:
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about 3/4 full).
- Bake & Add Marshmallows:
- Bake for 12 minutes, remove from oven, then gently press a marshmallow (or 2 mini marshmallows) into center of each muffin. Sprinkle with extra graham cracker pieces.
- Final Bake:
- Return to oven and bake for another 4 minutes, or until marshmallows are puffed and light golden, and muffins are set.
- Broil:
- For toasted tops, broil on high 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Cool & Serve:
- Let cool in pan 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack. Serve warm or room temperature.
Save My kids now ask for these every time we do family movie night. Seeing their excitement as they watch the marshmallows toast is always a special moment.
Required Tools
Basic mixing bowls, a whisk, measuring cups and spoons, a muffin tin, spatula, and a wire rack are all you need to bake these treats.
Allergen Information
Contains: wheat, milk, eggs, soy. Check labels for nuts in chocolate. Options for gluten-free versions exist.
Nutritional Information
Each muffin has about 310 calories, 14 g fat, 44 g carbohydrates, and 4 g protein.
Save Serve these muffins warm for the best gooey effect. Pair with chai tea or coffee for a perfect cozy treat.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Which spices create the chai flavor?
Ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, allspice, and black pepper work together to infuse a robust chai flavor.
- → How are the marshmallows toasted on top?
After baking, marshmallows are broiled for 1-2 minutes, resulting in puffed, golden tops with a classic campfire taste.
- → Can I substitute types of chocolate?
Yes, use semisweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips or chopped chocolate based on personal taste preferences.
- → Are gluten-free options available?
Gluten-free graham crackers and flour can be used to create a gluten-free version while maintaining flavor and texture.
- → What is the best way to serve these muffins?
Serve muffins warm or at room temperature, pairing them with chai tea, coffee, or cold milk for extra enjoyment.
- → Are there allergen considerations?
Contains wheat, milk, eggs, and soy. Check ingredient labels for possible nut traces, especially with chocolate.