The 2024 Olympics hype regarding Paris was not just record-breaking but also about treats in the Olympic Village. Among those, a dessert stole the limelight when Simone Biles shared what is now her go-to treat: s’mores cookies. To fans and foodies everywhere, learning the GOAT of gymnastics’ favorite recipe was like being invited to her kingdom. It was not so much about sugar but about comfort, nostalgia, and gratitude for small things in the face of tough competition.
When a disciplined, balanced athlete such as Simone says she enjoys making cookies with chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows, everyone listens closely. She generally prefers lighter sweets such as whipped cream-covered fresh strawberries, but her admission about these messy cookies gave us something new to root for. Her words revealed that even someone who represents strength and finesse has a fun dessert every now and then.
It quickly became a serious challenge for others to bake. If a champion can whip this recipe up as a way to relax, then making it at home is a celebration of tenacity and joy. It’s evidence that indulgence doesn’t need to be troublesome. Four easy ingredients sometimes hold the magic of a gold medal moment in your own home.
The Secret Is in the Simplicity
The best thing about these cookies is that they’re so easy to make. Don’t let the idea that baking requires a lot of fancy equipment or know-how. Simone’s take reduces things to the simplest form: cookie dough, graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. These common ingredients, found in every supermarket, combine to produce something special. It’s not a matter of doing more; it’s a matter of doing enough.
This simplicity is what attracts busy individuals who yet desire homemade goodness. No worrying about elaborate flour blends, lengthy refrigeration periods, or multi-stage procedures. Indeed, this recipe reminds us of an age-old kitchen truth: simplicity is a key to happiness. The less formidable the barriers, the sooner you will bake, share, and smile at the consequences.
That is the true brilliance of Simone’s cookies. They teach us that kitchen perfection is not about showy techniques but about the correct ingredients put together with love. The oven takes care of the rest. It reflects Simone’s equilibrium of strength and elegance on the gymnastics mat delivering brilliance through concentration, intention, and faith in the fundamentals.
- Four ingredients are enough
- Store-bought dough is a winner
- No particular skills or equipment necessary
- The oven does all the work
S’mores Crescent Rolls Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Parchment Paper for easy cleanup and non-stick
- 1 Small Spatula or Butter Knife for spreading Nutella
Ingredients
Main
- 1 can 8 oz. refrigerated Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
- 1/4 cup Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 graham cracker broken in small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Unroll the can of crescent roll dough onto the prepared baking sheet, separating it into 8 individual triangles.
- Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon of Nutella onto the wide end of each crescent roll triangle, spreading it gently.
- Evenly distribute the mini marshmallows and milk chocolate chips over the Nutella on each triangle.
- Sprinkle the broken graham cracker pieces over the filling, ensuring some on each crescent.
- Starting from the wide end, carefully roll up each crescent triangle towards the pointed end, ensuring the filling is enclosed.
- Place the rolled crescent rolls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each.
- Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and the filling is melted and bubbly.
- Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the s’mores crescent rolls cool on the sheet for 2-3 minutes before serving, as the filling will be very hot.
Notes
Building the Perfect Cookie Core
Preparation begins with the cookie dough being distributed into thin disks as a canvas for the magic within. At its center is the classic s’mores triumvirate: a graham cracker, a piece of chocolate, and a marshmallow. Each has its role, drawing on contrasts in texture and flavor that make every bite exciting.
The art of folding is the key roll. It closes in the ingredients so that the chocolate melts, the marshmallow gets gooey, and graham cracker retains its soft crunch. It is not an assembly line; it is an art, where patience and precision spell the difference.
Spacing correctly on the baking sheet is just as important. Cookies spread when they are baking, and leaving space in between them keeps them from running together into a huge clump. That way, every cookie can stay separate like players who require space to shine on their own field.
- Dough provides the cookie foundation
- Chocolate dissolves into gooey goodness
- Graham cracker maintains crunch
- Spacing correctly guarantees perfect cooking
Baking for Gold
It takes little time for them to become golden treasures with melty, soft centers, once the cookies are assembled and baked at 375°F for 10–12 minutes. It looks like waiting for the finale of a performance, those seconds ticking away, and all this time with growing anticipation.
The trick, however, starts from here. Giving them the time to sit on the baking tray for ten minutes allows them to set down without losing their goody goodness. A small detail, yet a difference-maker: this is what makes great cookies and not so good ones. While performers take off between routines, cookies need some off-moments too.
When slightly warmed, they achieve their ideal equilibrium: crunchy edges, fluffy center, and melted core. Every bite is a revelry, nearly ceremonial, in tribute to the essence of celebration and rivalry.
- Bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes
- Resting time guarantees form and taste
- Ideal harmony of crispy, soft, and gooey
- Each cookie tastes like a tiny triumph
Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- 1 Electric Mixer Stand or hand-held
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 Set of Cookie Cutters Assorted shapes as desired
- 2 Baking Sheets Lined with parchment paper or silicone mats
Ingredients
Main
- 2 ½ cups gluten-free flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
- Make the cookies: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
- Beat white sugar, butter, and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until mixture is smooth. Gradually mix in flour mixture until a dough forms. Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
- Form dough into a ball. Wrap ball with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mats. Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into shapes using desired cookie cutters. Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
- Bake in the preheated oven until edges begin to brown, about 10 minutes, switching racks halfway through. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool, 8 to 10 minutes more. Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
- While the cookies are cooling, make the icing: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a bowl using an electric mixer until well combined. Slowly beat in confectioners’ sugar until icing is smooth. Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
- Spread icing onto cooled cookies. Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
Notes
First Bite, Lasting Impression
Simone’s s’mores cookies are worth every ounce of hype. Large, bold, and defiantly decadent, they make a statement when they hit the plate. The crunch of graham cracker yields to gooey chocolate and gooey marshmallow, all wrapped up in luxurious cookie dough. It’s an explosion of flavor that carries long after the initial bite.
For lovers of chewy cookies, these are a dream come true. They bend and stretch rather than breaking, making them ideal for slow, conscious munching. A single cookie is more of an occasion than a random bite a treat that encourages you to slow down and taste.
Their size means they are perfect for sharing. Far from being devoured on the run, they’re best served on a plate, cracked into pieces, and shared with family or friends. This way, they capture the sharing ethos of dessert.
- Strong, bold flavor
- Chewy texture will be a hit with most
- Size forces people to share
- Enjoyed best in informal situations
S’mores Cookie
Equipment
- 1 Electric Mixer Stand or hand mixer for creaming butter and sugars
- 2 Large Mixing Bowls For dry and wet ingredients
- 1 Fine-mesh Sieve For sifting flour, baking soda, and salt
- 2 Baking Sheets
- 1 2-ounce ice cream scoop For uniform cookie size
Ingredients
Main
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ pound butter at room temperature
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix (such as Jell-O®)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or more to taste
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
- 1 cup honey graham cereal such as Golden Grahams®
- ½ 10.5 ounce package miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
- Beat butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add instant pudding and mix well. Add eggs and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly and scraping down sides of the bowl as necessary. Slowly add flour and mix well. Stir in chocolate chunks and cereal until well combined.
- Drop cookie dough onto an ungreased baking sheet using a 2-ounce ice cream scoop. Use rounded tablespoons if you prefer smaller cookies.
- Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, about 15 minutes. Place 5 or 6 marshmallows on top of each cookie.
- Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven’s broiler. Place cookies under broiler, leaving the door open. Bake until marshmallows are slightly toasted, 15 to 30 seconds, watching carefully. Remove cookies from oven. Let rest for 1 minute before cooling on a wire rack.
Notes
Tips for Cookie Success
Even simple recipes have tricks that elevate them. First, layering the graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow at the bottom ensures even baking. This prevents burning on the bottom while keeping the top soft and gooey.
Second, don’t enclose the marshmallow completely with dough; leave only a peek showing on top. It offers a toasted, golden look without compromising structure. It also keeps the dreaded marshmallow “escape” from creating flat, sloppy cookies.
Last but not least, baking on a silicone mat is a revelation. Unlike metal pans, silicone bakes evenly and doesn’t result in burnt bottoms. Parchment paper is second best, yielding bakery-perfect results all the time.
- Stack ingredients with care for balance
- Peeking at marshmallows adds to the display
- Silicone mats provide even baking
- Parchment paper stands as backup
A Scratch-Made Twist
Well, for the home bakers, there is a version that goes further. This one uses melted butter, white and brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and baking powder to make the scratch dough. The stars that are added are chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows.
Here, marshmallows may be added in two methods some folded into dough and some set on top for a second bake. The outcome is cookies topped with beautifully toasted marshmallows, a nod to the campfire heritage that motivated the treat.
More time-consuming, this approach allows bakers to have greater control over sweetness, chewiness, and flavor. It’s ideal for individuals who view baking as an art form, not merely an outcome.
- Homemade dough provides richness and depth
- Two methods of marshmallow placement
- The more time, the more satisfaction
- Perfect for bakers who enjoy creativity
4-Ingredient Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Parchment Paper
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Fork
- 1 Wire Rack for cooling
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup peanut butter
- ½ cup low-calorie natural sweetener such as Swerve®
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon sugar-free vanilla extract
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Combine peanut butter, sweetener, egg, and vanilla extract in a bowl; mix well until a dough is formed. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Roll dough into 12 (1-inch) balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet and press down twice with a fork in a criss-cross pattern. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Cool for 1 minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Notes
Baking Tips to Remember
Outside of recipes, baking always has a lesson. Perhaps most valuable is measuring flour correctly. Scooping from the bag tends to pack in too much and results in cookies that are dry. Instead, lightly spoon and level flour for optimal texture.
Cooling is another step often skipped. Though the aroma beckons you to dig in, permitting cookies to cool enables their texture and flavor to set. That small restraint makes the process much more enjoyable.
Refrigerating dough is not necessary but beneficial. Chilling it for a couple of days yields thicker, more chewy cookies. It’s a simple sleight to add flexibility to your baking schedule.
Peanut Butter Simplicity
At times, cravings demand substitutes, and peanut butter cookies are the ideal solution. With simply peanut butter, sugar, and an egg optional vanilla if you prefer you can create soft, chewy treats in mere minutes. Their simplicity equals Simone’s s’mores cookies.
They’re gluten- and dairy-free in their nature (unless you add extras), so diets of most types can indulge. Spread with chocolate chips or a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt for further levels of taste. It’s a highly satisfying cookie with intense peanut aroma.
Similar to s’mores cookies, the trick is waiting. Waiting for them to cool ensures that their chewy texture develops completely, which means every bite is as good as the promise of the fragrance.
- Three ingredients with optional vanilla
- Free from gluten and dairy, of course
- Salts or chips can be added to customize
- Chill time yields optimal texture
No-Bake Cookies
Equipment
- 1 Medium Saucepan Heavy-bottomed to prevent scorching
- 1 Whisk or Heat-Proof Spatula For constant stirring
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 1 Teaspoon For portioning cookies
- 1 Waxed Paper For cooling surface
Ingredients
Main
- 1 ¾ cups white sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup crunchy peanut butter
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- waxed paper
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring often. Boil for exactly 1 ½ minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Add oats and vanilla; stir until well combined. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Let cool until hardened. Enjoy! Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Notes
Storage and Sharing
Cookies this good require proper storage. Stored at room temperature, they keep one to two days in an airtight container. Though graham crackers become soft, the cookies are still tasty, with an alternate but equally appealing texture.
For extended storage, freezing is perfect. In refrigerator-safe containers, they’ll last for up to three months. A brief microwave reheat has them fresh from the oven again.
This ease makes them perfect for busy families, unexpected visitors, or late-night snacking. Having them ready-to-use is like having a stash of comfort food available whenever you want it.
- Room temp: 1–2 days fresh
- Frozen: up to 3 months stored
- Microwave to revive warmth
- Spontaneously ready for impromptu cravings
Inventive Flavor Pairings
S’mores cookies are infinitely versatile. Substitute dark for milk chocolate to intensify or white chocolate to enrich. Peanut butter cups introduce a salty-sweet riff that appeals to fearless taste buds.
Some bakers incorporate crushed pretzels for added crunch or dust sea salt flakes on top prior to baking for a sophisticated flair. A spoonful of Nutella or cookie butter included makes for a wonderful surprise filling.
Seasonal exchanges also provide variety. Pumpkin spice marshmallows during autumn or peppermint chocolate during winter turn the cookies into celebratory holiday cookies. Each exchange brings new excitement to the original recipe.
Baking with Kids and Families
One of the greatest aspects of this recipe is just how family-friendly it is. Children enjoy assisting with dough, assembling chocolate and marshmallows, and cutting out cookies. It’s almost more like craft time than it is cooking.
Because the recipe isn’t complicated, children of all ages can participate. Parents do the oven work, while children partake in the excitement of the hands-on parts. Peeking at cookies growing through the oven window is added entertainment.
These moments together become treasured memories. Baking is not merely about the cookies but about laughter, collaboration, and ritual. Munching warm cookies fresh from the oven secures the event as family tradition.
- Kid-friendly recipe instructions
- Fun, craft-like preparation
- Safe delegation of tasks for parents and children
- Creates sweet family traditions
Healthier Baking Options
All cookies don’t have to be dense. Health-conscious bakers can replace some all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, providing more fiber and nuttiness. It’s an easy swap that adds nutrition without diminishing flavor.
Sugar-free marshmallows and high-cocoa dark chocolate cut back on sugar and add more antioxidants. Baking smaller, bite-sized cookies also moderates indulgence.
For dairy-free diets, vegan butter substitutes or coconut oil can be used. Vegan marshmallows are available too. Therefore, the recipe must be accessible to all.
- Whole wheat flour is available with extra fiber.
- Dark chocolate or sugar-free chocolate
- Bite-sized cookies help in portion control.
- Vegan substitutes are available for marshmallows and butter
Combining with Beverages and Celebrations
Each cookie glows with the proper beverage. S’mores cookies are perfect with cold milk, hot cocoa, or even coffee. Dark roasts enhance chocolate, and chai lattes match graham cracker spice.
They also fit most occasions. From holidays and family movie nights to backyard campfires, these cookies feel perfectly at home. They are ideal as post-practice treats for teams or as relaxed snacks with friends.
They even lend themselves well to gifts. Presented in beautifully decorated tins tied with ribbons, they convey a personal, considerate touch. Sharing them brings joy far beyond the kitchen.
- Ideal paired with milk, cocoa, or coffee
- Excellent for holidays and everyday gatherings
- Considerate, homemade gift opportunity
- Ideal for kids or adults
More Than Just a Cookie
At its core, Simone Biles’ favorite s’mores cookies are dessert more than anything. These represent happiness in the simplest form and the charm of little sweet treats. Even champions always make time for comfort foods.
- Joy in simplicity and nostalgia
- Cookies as a bridge for connection
- Memories created in every batch
- Small victories baked into daily life
They remind us that greatness may not always come from complication. Sometimes greatness comes from respecting tradition, repeating old flavors, and finding similarities through food. As we prepare them, we are writers of a greater tale of balance and joy.
Whatever you do with Simone’s original recipe, try a DIY spin or get creative with peanut butter substitutes, the move is more than baking. It’s about the nostalgia, laughter, and wins you build.
