We're melting

When the temp outside looks something this:

(thanks weather channel)

standing in front of a fire to toast the perfect marshmallow for a tasty summer time treat is the last thing you want to do.  Today, following Family Fun Magazines instruction we made Solar S'more (http://familyfun.go.com/badges-of-fun/go-green/solar-smores-673886/). 

Since we were working on earning our Go Green badge (again from FFM--the above link should get you to Badges of Fun info), if figured it would be best to use the supplies that we had on hand to make these little cookers.  One of our day care dad's had gifted us with the perfect boxes (thanks Scott).  I have no idea what was in these gems, but they were the right size for us.  FFM had used a pizza box--really any box that allows you to have a hinge at the back is going to work. 

In place of the clear plastic we used CD cases that have been around collecting dust forever.  We also took the black CD holder part to use in place of the black construction paper.  Not sure if I would use that part again because this happened:

See how the one corner is curled up.  Non of the other ovens had this issue, but I think I would stick with the construction paper next time.  Experimenting is so much fun. 

So after I cut the box, foil was added, glued down & our black square was set in place.

It was then time to build a yummy foundation of graham, chocolate bar/carob chips, and festive star shaped mallows.  Our ovens were then carried out into the heat source, clear plastic placed on top and left in the sun to bring us closer to ooey gooey goodness. 

Then we waited.  And checked.  And waited. And checked. And waited until...

The number on the bottom left is the temp inside the box.  168 degrees

Melty perfection was achieved.

Normally I would not enjoy a puddle of chocolate with my s'mores, but we wanted the marshmallow to be soft.  I would recommend waiting to add your chocolate of choice until closer to the end of melting time.  A certain temp is not required before the product was done, we just wanted to know how hot our box got.  Check frequently, especially if the temp is or feels like 106 degrees outside.  We got busy doing other things indoors and ended up cooking longer than we really should have. 

Even though it was goo-zing with drippy chocolate, they were really good.  Schmoozie mallow, chocolate and warm grahams how could you go wrong.  Here are pictures of the chefs enjoying their labours of love. 

Comment below as to who you think may have said "This is the best s'more I've ever had"

Was it Poppy?

Could it have been Emma?

Perhaps it was Caden.

Would Martin have uttered such a phrase?

The fun, however, did not end at s'mores.  We made an attempt to cook an egg and what we got was eggs with skin, not really cooked, but changed.  A hot dog was also placed in the oven and cooked through.  I was told that it was pretty good.  If there had been anything else to solar cook up, we would have experimented s'more.  Maybe next time. 

Don't forget to vote on who you thought said "this is the best s'more I've ever had".  The winner(s) will get bragging rights--nothing better than that.