Delicious No-Bake S’mores Cups: Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Campfire-Free Indulgence

Say goodbye to the campfire smoke and hello to these delightful No-Bake S’mores Cups! Crafted with a wholesome oat-date crust, a rich dark chocolate center, and a cloud-like cashew marshmallow topping, this dessert redefines the classic s’mores experience. Not only are they incredibly easy to make, but they are also completely vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, refined sugar-free, and paleo-friendly. Get ready for a decadent treat that requires no baking and absolutely no open flames.

Life can often feel like a whirlwind, full of unexpected twists and turns. Recently, my own plans took an unexpected detour when a much-anticipated trip to the West Coast was canceled. This sudden shift left me with a strange blend of conflicting desires: an urge to deep-clean every corner of my home, juxtaposed with the siren call of a lazy day spent in bed. Truth be told, I settled somewhere in the middle. My evenings became dedicated to catching up on popular series like “Love Is Blind” (seriously, if you haven’t watched it, you’re missing out!), consumed in an impressively short amount of time. My days, however, remained focused on work in my studio, punctuated by a new, refreshing habit: a daily 15-minute walk outdoors. It’s a simple ritual I hope to carry forward as we embrace the beauty of spring.

But amidst this peculiar week, something truly magical happened in my kitchen: I created these incredible s’mores, designed for indoor enjoyment and served in charming, edible cups. And let me tell you, I have a feeling you’re going to love them as much as I do. These No-Bake S’mores Cups are a revelation, coming together with just six simple ingredients to form a truly decadent, refined sugar-free dessert. All the nostalgic flavors of s’mores, none of the fuss of a campfire or even an oven!

Once you try these, you’ll be echoing the famous words: “Please sir, I want s’more.”

While I certainly appreciate the warmth and aroma of an oven-baked treat, there’s a unique joy that comes with no-bake vegan desserts. They offer a fantastic way to satisfy your sweet tooth without heating up the kitchen, making them perfect for warmer months or when you simply crave a quick, effortless indulgence. What makes these s’mores cups truly stand out is their impressive nutritional profile: they’re not just vegan, but also entirely gluten-free, grain-free, refined sugar-free, and even paleo-friendly. This means they can be enjoyed by a wide range of people with various dietary preferences and restrictions, making them an ideal treat for gatherings or simply for a wholesome personal indulgence.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, yet ingenious, three-layer construction. Each component plays a crucial role in delivering that authentic s’mores experience: a perfectly balanced date-oats crust forming the base, a rich and velvety chocolate ganache at the heart, and a wonderfully light and airy cashew marshmallow fluff crowning it all. This thoughtful layering ensures a symphony of textures and flavors in every single bite.

Crafting the Perfect Oat-Date Crust

Every great s’mores cup begins with a robust and flavorful foundation, and ours is no exception. These cups feature a sturdy, naturally sweet date-oat crust that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare. For this essential layer, you’ll need just two core ingredients:

• Gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats: These provide a wholesome, fibrous base and a delightful chewy texture. Using gluten-free oats ensures this dessert is accessible for those with sensitivities.
• Gooey Medjool dates: The star binder and natural sweetener, Medjool dates lend their rich, caramel-like flavor and sticky texture to hold the crust together without any added fats or oils.

The process is wonderfully straightforward. Simply combine the gluten-free oats and pitted Medjool dates in a food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse until the mixture transforms into a sticky, pliable ball. You’ll know it’s ready when you can pinch a piece between your fingers and it holds its shape without crumbling. If your dates seem a bit dry or firm, a quick soak in hot water for about 10 minutes before blending will soften them up, making them easier to incorporate and ensuring a more cohesive crust. Once blended, press this mixture firmly into a muffin tin, shaping it into miniature cups with a thick base and sturdy sides. Don’t worry about achieving absolute perfection in shape; their rustic charm is part of their appeal, and the most important aspect is creating a robust vessel for the delicious layers to come.

For those seeking a grain-free alternative, you can easily substitute the gluten-free oats with an equal amount of raw almonds or walnuts. Simply pulse the nuts into a fine meal before adding the dates, following the same process to create a delicious and equally sturdy crust. This versatility makes the recipe adaptable to even more dietary needs.

Indulgent Dark Chocolate Ganache Center

No s’mores experience is complete without a generous helping of chocolate, and for these no-bake cups, we’re crafting a luxurious dark chocolate ganache center. This intensely rich and smooth layer requires only two star ingredients:

• Quality dark chocolate: I highly recommend using a high-quality dark chocolate, such as Hu Kitchen’s Simple Dark Chocolate. The better the chocolate, the more profound and satisfying the flavor of your ganache will be. Break it into small, uniform pieces for even melting.
• Canned coconut milk: Full-fat canned coconut milk is essential here, providing the necessary richness and creaminess for a decadent ganache.

To create this silky-smooth ganache, heat the coconut milk in a small saucepan until it’s steaming hot but not vigorously boiling. Then, pour the hot coconut milk directly over the chopped dark chocolate pieces in a heat-safe bowl. Cover the bowl and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This allows the gentle heat from the coconut milk to slowly melt the chocolate, resulting in a beautifully smooth and glossy ganache. After 5 minutes, uncover and stir until all the chocolate has completely dissolved and the mixture is uniform. If any stubborn chocolate chunks remain, you can gently heat the mixture further in a microwave in short 10-second bursts, stirring in between, or briefly over a double boiler. Initially, the ganache will be quite fluid, so it’s crucial to transfer the bowl to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period will allow it to thicken to a scoopable consistency, perfect for filling your prepared oat-date cups without making them soggy.

The Fluffy Cashew Marshmallow Topping

What are s’mores without that iconic, sweet, and fluffy marshmallow component? For our vegan and refined sugar-free version, we’re creating an irresistible Cashew Marshmallow layer that’s surprisingly easy and utterly delicious. You’ll need just three key ingredients for this creamy, dreamy topping:

• Raw cashews: These are the secret to achieving that rich, creamy, and slightly sweet texture reminiscent of traditional marshmallow fluff. Cashews blend into an incredibly smooth cream, providing a fantastic plant-based base.
• Coconut milk: A small amount of full-fat canned coconut milk helps achieve the perfect blendable consistency and contributes to the overall richness.
• Pure maple syrup: For natural sweetness that complements the other flavors beautifully. Adjust the amount to suit your personal preference.

Preparation begins with the cashews. To ensure they blend into an ultra-smooth fluff, it’s best to soften them first. I prefer a quick-soak method: simply place the raw cashews in a bowl and cover them with hot water for about 30 minutes. If you’re planning ahead, you can also soak them overnight (8 hours) in cool water, though in my experience, the quick soak works perfectly for this recipe. Once softened, drain and rinse the cashews thoroughly.

Next, combine the soaked cashews, coconut milk, and pure maple syrup in a high-speed blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, thick, and creamy, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed to ensure everything is fully incorporated. If the fluff appears too thick or isn’t blending smoothly, gradually add a little more coconut milk, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Finally, taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness with more maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter marshmallow topping. This cashew fluff is so good, you might find yourself making extra to enjoy on its own!

Effortless Assembly and Serving Suggestions

Assembling these No-Bake S’mores Cups is as straightforward as the individual layers. Once your crusts are firm and your chocolate ganache and cashew marshmallow fluff have reached their ideal consistency, you’re ready to bring them all together. Carefully remove the oat-date crusts from the muffin tin – a gentle twist or nudge with a small offset spatula usually does the trick. Place them on a parchment-lined plate or tray to prevent any sticking.

Next, spoon the thickened chocolate ganache into each crust, filling them approximately two-thirds of the way full. Allow this chocolate layer to set up in the fridge until it’s mostly firm to the touch. This step is crucial to prevent the layers from mixing and to provide a stable base for the marshmallow topping. Finally, generously spoon the creamy cashew marshmallow fluff over the chocolate layer, filling each cup to the top of the crust. For a beautiful finish, you can swirl the marshmallow with the back of a spoon to create peaks. To elevate these cups even further, adorn them with a sprinkle of shaved dark chocolate, a few chocolate chips, or even a drizzle of extra melted dark chocolate for an added touch of decadence. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest textures and flavors.

These No-Bake S’mores Cups are truly the perfect raw dessert, offering all the joy of s’mores without the need for a campfire. This recipe yields a bit of extra cashew marshmallow fluff, which is a delightful bonus! Don’t let it go to waste; it’s fantastic spooned onto toast, rice cakes, pancakes, or even enjoyed straight from the spoon. For the best taste and texture, especially if refrigerated, allow the cups to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. This softens the layers slightly, enhancing the overall experience. Store any leftover s’mores cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Share Your Creations & Discover More

I genuinely hope you try these incredible No-Bake S’mores Cups and fall in love with them! If you do, please don’t hesitate to let me know what you think. Your feedback truly brightens my day. Share your beautiful creations with me on Instagram and make sure to use the hashtag #floraandvino so I can see your delicious cups!

Looking for more culinary inspiration? Head over to my Pinterest page to pin this recipe and discover a treasure trove of other wholesome and delicious plant-based recipes to try later!

If you’re particularly fond of raw treats, you’ll be thrilled to explore more of my no-bake creations. I highly recommend my Raw Almond Butter Superfood Bars – they’re packed with goodness and perfect for a quick energy boost. And for a taste of summer any time of year, don’t miss the 5-Ingredient Raw Strawberries ‘N’ Cream Tarts. Both are simple, nutritious, and absolutely delightful.

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XO Lauren

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