A Fireside Dessert with Strawberries, Chocolate and Sweet Chilli
S’mores might not be a British original, but toasted marshmallows and melted chocolate don’t need much convincing. This version keeps the familiar elements and adds a simple twist… strawberries cooked over the fire and finished with Harrisons Sweet Chilli Sauce.
You’ve got an easy peasy dessert that’s warm, slightly smoky and balanced rather than overly sweet. It works just as well outdoors over a fire pit as it does indoors under the grill or in the oven, making it a flexible option for colder evenings.
Why This Recipe Works
Strawberries respond well to heat. When cooked briefly, they soften and release their juices without collapsing, becoming jammy while still holding their shape. That natural sweetness pairs easily with chocolate and marshmallow, but on its own it can tip too far into sugary.
This is where Harrisons Sweet Chilli Sauce comes in. Rather than adding more sweetness, it introduces balance:
- Chilli heat adds contrast and prevents the dessert from tasting flat
- Acidity sharpens the fruit and cuts through melted chocolate
- Gentle sweetness supports the strawberries without overpowering them
Used sparingly, the sauce acts as a seasoning rather than a topping, pulling the flavours together instead of sitting on top.
Have you ever cooked with sweet chilli sauce? It behaves well over heat. It glazes rather than burning, which makes it easy to use around open flames or under a grill.
Texture Is Doing a Lot of the Work
This recipe succeeds because it layers texture as well as flavour.
- Toasted marshmallows bring softness and a light caramelised edge
- Melted chocolate adds richness and body
- Warm strawberries provide moisture and acidity
- Biscuits or crackers give structure and crunch
The sweet chilli ties these textures together, coating rather than soaking, so each bite still feels distinct.
A Dessert That Fits the Setting
These s’mores are designed for relaxed cooking. They don’t rely on precision, plating or timing to the second. Everything can be assembled by hand, adjusted to taste, and cooked in batches as needed.
They suit:
- outdoor fire pits
- log burners
- grills
- or a simple oven setup
Because the strawberries and sauce do most of the flavour work, the recipe still feels complete even if the marshmallows aren’t perfectly toasted.
A Fireside Treat Worth Sharing
The open heat adds a subtle smokiness that works particularly well with fruit and chocolate. Strawberries pick this up gently, while marshmallows develop a toasted exterior that contrasts with their soft centre.
The sweet chilli sauce benefits from this too. When warmed, its aroma opens up and the chilli becomes rounder rather than sharp, helping it blend into the dessert rather than stand out.
This is where restraint matters. A light drizzle is enough to season the s’mores - be careful, too much and it would dominate. Used correctly, it adds depth without distracting from the core ingredients.
Created with Jacks Meat Shack
This recipe was developed in collaboration with Jacks Meat Shack, who has extensive experience cooking over fire and understands how heat, smoke and sweetness interact.
Jack focused on keeping the smoke subtle, allowing the strawberries to soften without burning and using the sweet chilli sauce to lift the fruit rather than mask it. The balance was tested and adjusted so the chilli warmth complements the dessert rather than turning it savoury.
The recipe is easy to replicate, even if you’re not confident cooking over flames.
One to Keep in Your Back Pocket
Sweet Chilli Strawberry S’mores are the kind of dessert that work when you want something warm and satisfying without committing to a full pudding. There’s no specialist equipment, no long prep, and no need to plan ahead.
They’re also flexible, feel free to swap strawberries for other soft fruits and just use whatever biscuits you have to hand.
It’s a practical dessert built around flavour balance rather than presentation. Straightforward, adaptable, and designed to be enjoyed while it’s still warm.
Ingredients
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
- 200g fresh strawberries, hulled
- 12 large marshmallows
- 8 chocolate squares (milk or dark)
- 8 digestive biscuits or graham crackers
- Harrisons Sweet Chilli Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to 200°C and set it up for two-zone cooking. If you’re cooking over an open fire, get close enough to cook comfortably, but not so close that the heat is too intense.
- Thread the strawberries onto skewers. Place them over direct heat and grill for 2–3 minutes, turning gently until softened and lightly charred. Remove once they’re warm and just starting to release their juices.
- While the strawberries are cooking, place a small saucepan over low heat on the side burner or indirect area of the grill. Add the chocolate and allow it to melt slowly, stirring occasionally.
- Once melted, stir through the Sweet Chilli Sauce until fully combined. Remove from the heat and set aside to keep warm.
- Toast the marshmallows over the grill or fire until golden on the outside and soft in the middle. This can be done by hand or shared out so everyone toasts their own.
- To assemble, place a digestive biscuit on the base, top with grilled strawberries and a toasted marshmallow. Drizzle over the warm chilli chocolate sauce, then finish with a second biscuit.
How to Serve It
- Serve Harrisons Sweet Chilli Strawberry S’mores straight from the fire while everything is still warm and gloriously gooey. This is not a dessert that waits patiently.
- Lay them out on a large board or tray in the middle of the table and let people help themselves. No need for plates if you don’t want them, napkins are far more important. Expect sticky fingers and the odd drip of melted chocolate. That’s part of the fun.
- For best results, assemble each s’more just before serving so the marshmallow stays soft, the chocolate melts naturally, and the strawberries keep their warmth. Finish with a light extra drizzle of Harrisons Sweet Chilli over the top for that final sweet-heat hit.
- Eat standing up, chatting round the coals, while the fire is still warm and the evening hasn’t quite finished yet.
