Irresistible S’mores Brownies: Your Ultimate Gooey, Fudgy, and Toasted Marshmallow Dessert
If you’re a true dessert enthusiast, you likely already know the magic of homemade brownies. Their rich, fudgy texture is an undeniable weakness for many, myself included. While my blog already boasts a wonderful collection of brownie recipes, there’s always room for more chocolatey goodness in the world!
Years ago, I created these S’mores Cookie Bars, and they became an instant hit, disappearing from every gathering in record time. Inspired by their immense popularity, I decided to elevate the classic s’mores experience by combining it with my beloved brownies. The result? These incredible S’mores Brownies: rich, intensely fudgy brownies baked on a delightful graham cracker crust, then topped with perfectly toasted marshmallows and generous chunks of milk chocolate. Every bite is pure heaven, a symphony of textures and flavors that will transport you straight to a campfire under the stars.
Why S’mores Brownies Are a Must-Try Dessert
There’s an undeniable charm to s’mores that consistently wins people over. Perhaps it’s the nostalgic memories of childhood camping trips and bonfires, or simply the irresistible combination of melted chocolate and gooey, toasted marshmallows. Whatever the reason, s’mores-inspired desserts are always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re making S’mores Cookies, a decadent S’mores Pie, or these spectacular brownies, you can be sure they’ll be a resounding hit. This recipe brings all those beloved campfire flavors into your kitchen, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate s’mores experience year-round, without the need for a fire pit!
What Makes These S’mores Brownies So Special?
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The distinct taste of graham crackers, the deep richness of chocolate, and the sweet, gooey marshmallows come together in perfect harmony.
- Irresistible Textures: A crunchy graham cracker base, a dense and fudgy brownie center, and a soft, chewy, slightly crisp marshmallow topping create a delightful textural contrast.
- Homemade Goodness: While you can use a boxed brownie mix, crafting them from scratch ensures an unparalleled depth of flavor and a truly decadent experience.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for parties, potlucks, family gatherings, or just a special treat for yourself. Everyone loves s’mores!
- Year-Round Comfort: No need to wait for summer campfires; enjoy the comforting taste of s’mores any time you crave them.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect S’mores Brownies
You’ll find the complete, printable recipe card with exact measurements at the very bottom of this post!
- Graham Crackers: The backbone of our crust, providing that signature honey-vanilla flavor and crunch. Make sure to crush them finely for an even base.
- Sugar: Both granulated sugar for the crust and brownies, contributing to sweetness and moisture.
- Butter: I always opt for unsalted butter in baking to control the overall saltiness of the dessert. It’s crucial for both the crust and the fudginess of the brownies.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder creates a deep, intense chocolate flavor. If you want an even darker, less acidic brownie, Dutch-processed cocoa powder is an excellent alternative.
- Eggs: Large eggs are essential for structure, moisture, and binding the brownie batter, contributing to its rich, chewy texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just enough to give the brownies structure without making them cakey. Avoid overmixing once the flour is added.
- Salt: A touch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and deepening the chocolate notes.
- Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are best for an even topping and quick toasting. They melt beautifully and create that classic gooey s’mores layer.
- Hershey Bars: The quintessential s’mores chocolate. Breaking them into pieces ensures melted chocolate pockets throughout the marshmallow topping. Other chocolate bars or chocolate chips can also be used.
While a store-bought brownie mix can definitely speed up the process, making homemade brownies from scratch is surprisingly quick and simple, and the superior taste is absolutely worth the minimal extra effort. If you’re short on time but still want homemade flavor, consider keeping a batch of my Homemade Brownie Mix on hand – you’ll be able to whip up these brownies in minutes!
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your S’mores Brownies
Making these s’mores brownies is a fun and straightforward process. Follow these simple steps for a truly show-stopping dessert:
- Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later. In a bowl, combine your finely crushed graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and resemble wet sand. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Bake the crust for about 8 minutes; this slight pre-bake helps set the crust and prevents it from becoming soggy under the brownie batter.
- Whip Up the Fudgy Brownie Batter: While your graham cracker crust is baking, prepare the brownie batter. If you’re using a box mix, follow the package instructions. For homemade brownies (which I highly recommend for ultimate fudginess!), start by combining the melted butter and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated. Next, beat in the sugar and eggs until the mixture is lightened in color and very well combined. Finally, gently fold in the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix until just barely combined – be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough, cakey brownies. A few streaks of flour are fine; they will disappear during baking.
- Bake the Brownie Base: Pour your luscious brownie batter evenly over the pre-baked graham cracker crust in the baking dish. Return the pan to the oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. You want them to be slightly underbaked for that perfect fudgy texture.
- Add the Toasted Marshmallow & Chocolate Topping: Once the brownies are baked, remove the pan from the oven and immediately turn on your broiler. Generously scatter mini marshmallows over the warm brownies, covering the entire surface. Break up your Hershey bars (or chocolate of choice) into small pieces and sprinkle them evenly over the marshmallows. Place the pan back into the oven, directly under the broiler, for just 2-3 minutes. Keep a very close eye on them, as marshmallows can go from golden to burnt in seconds! You’re looking for beautifully golden-brown, puffy, and slightly caramelized marshmallows.
- Cool and Slice: This is arguably the hardest step! Once removed from the broiler, you must let the brownies cool completely before attempting to slice them. I know, the intoxicating aroma of toasted marshmallows and warm chocolate is incredibly tempting, but trust me on this. If you cut them warm, you’ll end up with a glorious, gooey mess – delicious, but not ideal for clean slices. Allowing them to cool allows the chocolate and marshmallows to set, ensuring neat, perfectly fudgy squares. Patience is a virtue here!
Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect S’mores Brownies
- Your Favorite Brownie Base: The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to use your go-to homemade brownie recipe, a convenient box mix, or the detailed recipe provided below in the recipe card. Any fudgy brownie will work wonderfully as the base.
- Graham Cracker Alternatives: If graham crackers are hard to find in your region, Digestive Biscuits are a fantastic and widely available alternative. They offer a similar texture and subtle sweetness that works perfectly for the crust. Vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies, finely crushed, could also be used for a different twist.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: These brownies are actually ideal for making the day before serving. This allows the marshmallow and chocolate topping to set completely, making for much cleaner and easier slicing. Simply cover them loosely once cooled and store at room temperature.
- Optimal Storage: Store your s’mores brownies at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days. For best results and to prevent the marshmallows from getting sticky, cover them with foil or plastic wrap. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week, but let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- Broiler Vigilance: When toasting the marshmallows, do not walk away from the oven! Broilers can be intense and marshmallows can burn very quickly. Watch them constantly until they reach your desired golden-brown perfection.
- Even Marshmallow Layer: For the most visually appealing and texturally satisfying topping, spread the mini marshmallows in a relatively even layer across the brownies. This ensures consistent toasting.
- Chocolate Variety: While Hershey bars are traditional, feel free to experiment with other chocolates. Dark chocolate chunks can add a sophisticated bitter counterpoint, while white chocolate chips offer extra sweetness.
If you have a chocolate lover in your life, or simply someone who adores the classic s’mores experience, you absolutely must make these s’mores brownies for them. They will forever sing your praises (and perhaps owe you a favor!). Just look at that luscious, gooey, fudgy brownie crowned with perfectly toasted marshmallows! And if you’re craving that traditional campfire s’more vibe in the dead of winter, don’t forget to check out my Oven S’mores for an equally delightful indoor treat!
More Irresistible Dessert Recipes to Try
- Decadent Peanut Butter Bars
- Ultimate Gooey Brownie Pie
- Easy No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
- Fun M&M Chocolate Oat Bars
- Addictive Chocolate Toffee Bars
S’Mores Brownies
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Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 3/4 cup graham crackers, crushed
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
Brownies
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 whole large eggs
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 Hershey candy bars, broken in pieces
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350º F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
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Mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the baking pan. Bake for 8 minutes.3/4 cup graham crackers, 2 Tablespoons sugar, 3 Tablespoons butter
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Meanwhile, prepare the brownie batter. Mix together melted butter and cocoa powder. Add sugar and eggs, and mix until well combined. Mix in flour and salt until everything is well blended. Pour over baked graham cracker crust.3/4 cup butter, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3 whole large eggs, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt
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Return to the oven and bake fro 30-35 minutes, until brownies are almost fully cooked. Remove from oven and turn on the broiler.
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Top the brownies with marshmallows and broken pieces of candy. Return to the oven, and heat until marshmallows are golden brown (2-3 minutes). Watch carefully.2 cups mini marshmallows, 2 Hershey candy bars
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Remove from oven, and allow to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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