S'mores Brownies

This will be my third Fourth of July away from the States. So like every holiday in my life - well, not just every holiday, its more like every outing, every meal, every thought - it's all about the food. So even though I'll be 6,000 miles away from home, I'm still making my list of what I would serve at my Fourth of July BBQ. Burgers, brisket, brats, coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob, flag cake, followed by s'mores. 

Unfortunately there will be no Fourth of July BBQ or bonfire on this side of the Atlantic as I will be traveling but I can make a portable treat to enjoy on the day...S'mores Brownies.

The ubiquitous and very American combination of graham, chocolate and marshmallows without a bonfire can be recreated in a brownie version. There's a million recipes for s'mores brownies...some layered with a graham cracker crust and a gooey marshmallow top, and some with graham pieces and marshmallows mixed through. I decided to go with the layered version - a graham cracker crust that is pre-baked, then a deep, dense, dark chocolate brownie (could easily use a box version), and then sprinkled with marshmallows.

I would have used the large marshmallows, as those are the ones used for s'mores, but they aren't very easy to get in London, so I went with the mini marshmallows. Graham crackers are also difficult to source...I usually bring a few back with me every time I go home, but I used the last box for this Key Lime Pie. I did find one package of cinnamon grahams in my cupboard, so I went with that. I had to stretch my crust, but the following recipe will give you a more healthy amount of graham crust than pictured. This recipe makes 16 brownies.

S'MORES BROWNIES

For the crust:

• 1 box of graham crackers (14.4oz)
• 7 oz. unsalted butter, melted and cooled gently

Make graham cracker crumbs by pulsing in a food processor or smashing to smithereens in a heavy duty freezer bag. Pour melted butter over the crumbs and combine till it feels like wet sand. Press into 8 x 8 inch square cake pan that is lined with parchment with a lip for easy removal. Bake for about 12-15 minutes in a 350F oven till the crust is set and gently browned. Meanwhile start making the brownie mix.

For the brownie:

• 8 oz. unsalted butter
• 8 oz. dark chocolate (I use Valhrona Guanaja, 70% cocoa)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 6 oz. granulated sugar
• 6 oz. light brown sugar
• 4 oz. all-purpose flour
• 16 large marshmallows or 30+ mini marshmallows

In a double boiler melt together butter and chocolate. In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, salt, and sugars. Do this just as the chocolate and butter is melted, it is not desirable to leave eggs and sugars together for any length of time. Pour melted butter and chocolate into the egg mixture, whisking as you pour to ensure the warm chocolate does not "cook" the eggs. Fold in the flour. Pour the brownie mixture directly over the graham crust out of the oven (does not need to be cooled). Evenly space the marshmallows onto the brownie mixture, pressing in slightly. Place back into the 350F oven, baking for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean, but take care not to over bake! I usually remove when it's the teeniest bit gooey in the middle...once cooled it sets up to be the richest brownie. If you like your marshmallows very toasted and they aren't by the time the brownie is set, toast them a bit by broiler. Do not walk away when you do this, it will only take a few seconds!

Let cool completely before cutting into squares. These brownies can be stored in the fridge for a few days - just make sure they are wrapped so they don't absorb any other smells in the fridge. Serve at room temperature.

So who's bringing these to the BBQ?

Happy Fourth of July to all my family & friends and Americans at home and abroad!  

Comments

[Kristin]

I've actually never heard of s'mores brownies, but now that I have, I can't wait to try these! The fact that my little girl loves marshmallows - and was born on the 4th of July, if you can believe it - only adds to their appeal.

[Tangled Noodle]

Oooh! Brownies with a crust - putting scrumptiousness on top of deliciousness! I confess that I've never had a true s'mores experience but I certainly don't feel deprived when there are s'mores inspired goodies like this to keep me perfectly content. 8-)

Safe and fun travels during this holiday weekend and a Happy 4th of July to you!

[The Duo Dishes]

Oh why. They have a crust and marshmallows! So great because they have crunch and creaminess. Yum!

[Anne's Kitchen]

Oh, I had never hear of this type of browie, sounds delish, as I love marshmallows and cinnamon! Yum! Happy 4th of July in advance!
xx

[Margo]

Yumo! Those toasted bits of loveliness peaking out of the brownie there are calling my name! Can you hear them? Oh, well, I guess it is just me....

[OysterCulture]

Yum, I have an undying love of s'mores. There's something about that first experience as a kid making them in front of a bonfire that makes them have infinite appeal forever. At least that was the case for me. What absolutely yummy sounding brownies. Now these just look like I'd be unpatriotic not to make.

[gastroanthropologist]

Thanks all for comments and hope everyone is very much enjoying their Fourth of July!

[Bren]

Cudos to you for cooking all that while you're not home on a holiday weekend! That's determination! I enjoyed taking the week off from cooking! :) Brownies look sexalicious!

Nice finding you! and hope you had a fab 4th

[lisa]

Decadent! These remind me of home and fun times as a kid in my parents' backyard. Very comforting, I have an endless love for s'mores. Hope you had a great 4th!!

[Jamie]

Ah, yes, no 4th of July for me either. And not even a cake to bake this year for son's July 5th birthday as he is now in the US. But these s'mores brownies are all for ME!!! Just what I love!

[Lori]

These look great. I hope you had a great 4th. This was our first 4th back in the States and it honestly felt a little odd, kind of emotional for me too.

[Daily Spud]

Hope you had a lovely 4th of July wherever you were! Those s'mores brownies look like they were a wonderfully portable way to enjoy your celebration :)

[Sarah, Maison Cupcake]

I love a good brownie - I made graham cracker for Daring Bakers in January but have never found them for sale in the UK. If you know of anywhere do let me know!

[Sophie]

Waw,...Your Smores brownies look to die for,...MMMMMMMMMMMMMM,...a great treat!

[valentina]

I have failed to get my commnent published a few times. I love new brownie recipes. I had not seen one with marshmallows before and I have already written it down as a) recipes are a crowd pleaser and b) a very good friend not only like brownies but also adores marshmallow. Hope you had a great 4th July.

[gastroanthropologist]

Valentina - Sorry you've had trouble posting comments - let me know if you have more problems.

[Rebeccatu]

Hi! I love your blog, thanks for the wonderful recipes and ideas! I just tried making this and I think the mini marshmallows work better because the big fat ones just melted into the brownie and made the brownie watery and jiggly.

[gastroanthropologist]

Rebeccatu - I know the marshmallows will melt into the batter if they are stirred in, but surprised they did so if sprinkled on top! But, am glad the mini marshmallows worked - I actually prefer using the mini ones too because the large ones are pretty sticky to cut through once the brownies are done. If the marshmallows melting happens again you might want to bake the brownies and then add the marshmallows on top half way through the baking time. You can always broil them for a minute at the very end just to brown the marshmallows if they haven't browned by the time the brownies are done. Hope this helps, thanks for visiting my blog!