The Graham Cracker Question Revisited
Oddly enough, one of the most popular articles on my blog is not about writing, theology, books, or Doctor Who. Rather, it’s a post that seeks to answer the question: What’s a suitable UK alternative the the US Graham Cracker? Clearly this is a pressing issue on the minds of many, and one that few other bloggers are willing to take up. Though this is not a foodie blog, I am willing to take on this issue.
In the original Graham Cracker Question article, I asked my brothers, who were visiting from the UK at the time, to try a Graham Cracker, and try to think what UK product comes closest in taste, consistency, and look. They suggested the taste of a Digestive, but the consistency of a Garibaldi minus the raisins.
Then the comments started. And there were some good suggestions. One that particularly intrigued me was from Teresa, an ex-pat American living in the UK. She suggested a new biscuit called Snap Jacks. They come in a honeycomb flavor that she says gives the same taste and consistency as a Graham Cracker, and are perfect for making cheesecakes (I presume she’s referring to the crust). I replied that I would have my family send me some to try out, and sure enough, my Mum came through, and she sent me a packet of honeycomb Snap Jacks.
I grabbed a Graham Cracker and the packet of Snap Jacks, and we had a family taste-test. The verdict: close, but the honeycomb flavor is not quite the same as the honey flavor of the Graham Cracker. (We also all agreed that the Snap Jacks were delicious, and we could easily polish of a packet or two in no time.) That said, it’s probably the closest to taste and consistency you’ll get. So for things that require a Graham Cracker crust, you can probably get away with using Snap Jacks. It might actually taste better than the Graham Cracker counterpart!
However, you can’t make s’mores with Snap Jacks. And I’m at a loss as to how someone in the UK would make one of these:
A S’more: Marshmallow and chocolate sandwiched between two Graham Cracker halves.
Then I had an idea.
What if I had a giveaway for people in the UK, the winner of which would receive from me a box of Graham Crackers? They could then try the Graham Crackers and report back on what they’ve found at their local supermarket that would substitute! So, that’s what I’m doing. If you are a UK resident (not necessarily a UK citizen, but living in the UK at the moment), and would like the opportunity to participate in the quest for the perfect UK Graham Cracker substitute, CLICK HERE, or on the tab at the top, and enter the UK Graham Cracker Giveaway! Remember, this giveaway is open to UK residents only. I’m keeping it open until August 31, and I will announce the recipient of the box of Graham Crackers soon after.
This should be interesting.
I like crackers, but usually don’t eat graham ones. I’m more of a Ritz person.
Personally, I too would take a Ritz cracker over a Graham Cracker any day. But, to be fair, they are very different types of cracker. Just like the word “biscuit” refers to very different things, depending on whether you come from the UK or the US.
Nevertheless, I’m interested to see what comes of this. 🙂
I’ve entered if only to find out who Graham Cracker is!
Ha! Sorry matey, but you’re disqualified since I’ll be sending Mum a box. If you speak nicely to her, she might share… 😉
Pfff… who do you think it was who told her where to buy them? I do all the work and she gets the credit! Don’t know why I… *wanders off muttering* 😛
Hey, them’s the breaks, li’l bro. 🙂 I’m sure she’ll play nice and share with you. She’s good like that. 😀
Just wanted to say thank you. I had to make my son a star wars birthday cake and ofc all the websites suggested that those famous crackers were best for making “sand”. I found your blog and the maryland cookies were an absolute treat as a replacement and the flavour worked great. Never had the graham cracker to give an opinion of difference but for the cake I made they were a brilliant subsitute.
Thank you so much for taking the time to say “thank you,” Samantha. I’m so pleased this worked for you. I have to say, Graham Crackers aside, those Maryland Snap Jacks are really tasty. 😀
A belated happy birthday to your son!
I too am very interested in this cracker debate as I’m living in South Africa (Brit ex-pat)and have often wondered what exactly a graham cracker is having come across it in several of my recipe books. We have something called a “tennis biscuit” here which has a honey and coconut taste but I’m wondering if that would be the right consistency. Or an “Oaties” perhaps – deliciously honeyish and crunchy? On further reflection s’mores are often made here with the tennis biscuit although we don’t have a particular name for it.
Thanks for this, Julie. I think the consensus here is that most places have a taste-substitute for graham crackers, and most places have something they can use to substitute a graham cracker crust (for a pie or a cheese cake). The problem is having something they can use to make s’mores.
I Googled “Tennis Biscuit” and from the pictures I can see how you can make something like a s’more with them, though they seem a bit small (bite-sized s’mores, perhaps?). The coconut flavor wouldn’t be the same, of course (though I’m thinking that sounds tasty!), and just from the pictures they might be a bit too biscuit-y, rather than cracker-y. But that’s hard to judge from a picture.
I really appreciate you giving us a South African perspective on this question! 🙂
I’m an American expat living in England and found your blog while searching where to find Graham Crackers here. We did S’mores over the charcoal grill in the summer, using Cadbury dairy milk chocolate (SO much better than Hersheys!!) but had to go to buy the Graham Crackers and Jet Puffed marshmallows (the ones at Tesco melt instead of puff up when roasted) from The Stateside Candy Company (www.AmericanSweets.co.uk). Was thinking about making s’more gift packs to give as Christmas gifts to UK friends this year, as they were a huge hit in the summer, but the Graham Crackers cost 6GBP per box, not to mention the 6GBP shipping cost, and Jet Puff are 4GBP per bag.
Ocado sells the marshmallows as well for one or two quid less, but there’s a 40GBP minimum per order, and they don’t have Grahams. A store in London (Partridge’s) has them for order online for about the same price. So while expensive, at least Graham Crackers are available at very select places in the UK (only online unless you live by one of the few specialy shops that sell them in store as well as online). Does this help anyone?
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and discoveries, Jess! I have to agree with you that Hershey’s doesn’t hold a candle to Cadbury’s. The best chocolate in the world, IMO. Hershey’s will do at a pinch (and don’t be fooled, those of you in the States–the Cadbury’s you buy here is from Hershey–check the label to be sure you’re getting the real thing), but Cadbury’s is best.
It never even occurred to me that the marshmallow wouldn’t be the same. That’s an interesting point. You’re right–the marshmallow should puff up when roasted.
I love the idea of making S’more gift packages for friends in the UK! It’s a shame it’s so expensive to get the graham crackers and marshmallows. Perhaps we need to petition Nabisco to start making graham crackers in the UK? Is there really no market for them? That’s not what I’m hearing. Roasting marshmallows and making s’mores sounds like the perfect addition to Bonfire Night festivities! 🙂
Hello just thought I’d let everybody know that tesco are now selling American marshmallow ! Especially for s’mores 4.95 big bag ! So we just need to persuade them to get the crackers !
Yay! Thanks, Joanne. Hopefully Graham Crackers will be next… 🙂
Hi there! Just to let you know, Tesco are now selling Graham Crackers in most stores. They now have a special aisle of “world foods” with an American section with marshmallows and Graham Crackers hurrah! Not sure of the price – I’m sure it’s overpriced but it’ll be good for a treat! Maybe if everyone starts buying them the price will go down? I can hope!
Thank you, Samantha–I know that’s good news for a lot of people. It’s funny to consider Graham Crackers as “ethnic food” but I suppose to those outside the US they are! 🙂 And if buying Brit food in US grocery stores is anything to go by, I’m sure Graham Crackers are overpriced in Tesco. But at least you can get them there now. And maybe, as you say, demand will drive the price down. Or better still, Nabisco will be persuaded to manufacture them locally.
Just found your blog… Surprised you have gone into business exporting them to the uk… Ud make a fortune if you can get them here for less than a Fiver!!! X
It certainly seems to be a popular concern, Ashleigh! I’m not sure I would be the right person to do this, but I’m surprised someone hasn’t taken the reins and make a business out of British Graham Crackers. Perhaps someone in the UK could start making and selling them, cut out the import costs? Call them Graeme Crackers. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to enjoy the rest of the blog. 😀
Hiya… i just wanted to say how I make smores… I’m an expat who’s lived in the UK for 16 years now. Last bonfire night, 5th Nov, my local supermarket were stocking the huge marshmallows. So huge they are actually bigger than the ones from Us, like a marshmallow and a half. And you can get them from Tescos for 2.50 and on amazon.
My favourite graham cracker substitute are Hobnobs. http://www.mcvities.co.uk/products/hobnobs
Digestives aren’t gritty enough, they’re as crispy but they’re missing the sandy crumbliness that graham crackers have, plus digestives have no flavour and are much more boring. I feel hobnobs have the same ‘essence’, as in they’re not quite the right flavour, but they are close and are tasty on their own, plus the texture, being oaty, is crispy but crumbly enough to remind me of graham crackers. I also use them in place of a graham cracker crust for pies and cheesecakes.
For chocolate, if you want to have a solid bar, I wouldn’t use cadburys as its much sweeter and milky, less semi-dark than the hersheys bar. I would use a lindt bar or some other darker bar. Because hobnobs are round and wouldnt fit a square of choc, I used a chocolate spread (malteasers), which was easier and very tasty, esp as the marshmallows were so huge, adding a slab of choc would have been too much.
Hope this helps smores addicts in the UK. :0)
Or you can make your own : https://smittenkitchen.com/2009/05/graham-crackers/
You can get graham flour on Ocado