These S’mores Brownies are a delicious mix of rich chocolate and gooey marshmallows. Topped with homemade vanilla bean marshmallow, they’re like a cozy campfire treat, right from your oven!
Who wouldn’t love a brownie that tastes like a S’mores? I mean, it’s like hugging a chocolatey campfire! Perfect for sharing, but good luck not eating them all yourself! 😂
What I love most is how simple it is to whip these up. Just bake, layer, and enjoy! They make any day feel like a special occasion, especially when friends are around!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Graham Cracker Crumbs: These add a nice crunchy base to your brownies. If you’re out of graham crackers, you can use digestive biscuits or cookie crumbs as a substitute. They offer a similar texture!
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This helps give your brownies that rich chocolate flavor. If you don’t have cocoa powder, you could use dark chocolate instead, melting it down and adjusting the sugar slightly since dark chocolate is sweeter.
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are perfect here, but feel free to swap for milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips based on what you love. White chocolate chips can also add a unique twist!
Vanilla Bean Paste: This gives an amazing flavor to the marshmallow topping. If it’s not available, vanilla extract works just as well. The paste gives a more intense flavor, but extract is easier to find.
Cream of Tartar: This ingredient stabilizes the marshmallow topping. If you’re out, you can substitute with lemon juice or white vinegar, using the same amount needed in the recipe.
How Do You Get the Marshmallow Topping Light and Fluffy?
To make your marshmallow topping just right, it’s all about the whipping process! After boiling the sugar mixture, it’s crucial to let it cool slightly before adding marshmallows. This helps prevent the marshmallows from melting completely.
- First, keep an eye on the temperature of your sugar syrup; use a candy thermometer if you have one!
- Once your mixture hits the soft ball stage, remove it from heat. Be patient and let it cool for a moment.
- Then, pour it into your stand mixer with the marshmallows—as it whips, it’ll become fluffy and thick.
Whipping for about 5-7 minutes is key. If you’re using a hand mixer, be prepared to work a bit longer. The final texture should hold its shape well when spread over the brownies.
How to Make S’mores Brownies with Vanilla Bean Marshmallow
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Brownie Base:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
For the Vanilla Bean Marshmallow Topping:
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- A pinch of salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful dessert will take about 15 minutes to prepare and around 30-35 minutes to bake and set. So, in total, you’re looking at about 1 hour of your time before you’re ready to dig in!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get your 9×9 inch baking pan ready: grease it and line it with parchment paper, leaving extra paper hanging over the sides. This will help you lift the brownies out later!
2. Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust:
In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of sugar, and melted butter until it’s well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake it in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, then take it out and set it aside to cool a bit.
3. Make the Brownie Batter:
In a large bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips using a microwave or a double boiler on the stovetop. Once melted, mix in the cocoa powder, 1 cup of sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until everything is nice and smooth. Gently add in the flour and mix until just combined. Pour this luscious brownie batter over your graham cracker crust and spread it out evenly.
4. Bake the Brownies:
Now it’s time to bake! Place the brownies in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (but not wet batter!). Let them cool for about 10 minutes once you take them out.
5. Prepare the Vanilla Bean Marshmallow Topping:
While the brownies are cooling, let’s make the marshmallow topping! In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup of sugar, water, and cream of tartar. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then let it boil without stirring until it reaches a soft ball stage (about 240°F/115°C). This will take a few minutes.
6. Whip the Marshmallow Mixture:
Next, pour the hot sugar syrup into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add in the mini marshmallows, vanilla bean paste, and a pinch of salt. Using the whisk attachment, whip it all together on high speed for about 5-7 minutes until it’s thick and fluffy, like marshmallow cream!
7. Assemble the Brownies:
Once your brownies have cooled a little, pour the marshmallow topping evenly over the brownie base, spreading it out as needed to cover every nook and cranny.
8. Toast the Marshmallow Topping:
This is where the fun really begins! Using a kitchen torch, carefully toast the marshmallow topping until it’s golden brown and slightly charred for that classic s’mores effect. If you don’t have a torch, you can put the brownies under a broiler for 1-2 minutes—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!
9. Cool and Serve:
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan. Once they’re cool, lift them out using the parchment paper overhang, cut them into squares, and serve. Enjoy your scrumptious S’mores Brownies with Vanilla Bean Marshmallow! They’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Can I Substitute the Unsweetened Cocoa Powder?
Absolutely! If you don’t have unsweetened cocoa powder, you can use Dutch-processed cocoa for a richer flavor. Just note that it might slightly alter the final taste and texture. Alternatively, you can substitute a mix of melted dark chocolate for the cocoa powder, but reduce the sugar in the recipe to balance the sweetness.
How Do I Store Leftover Brownies?
Store any leftover S’mores Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, wrap them well and freeze for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying!
Can I Make These Brownies Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or add a teaspoon of it to help bind the ingredients together. Your brownies will still be deliciously fudgy!
What If I Don’t Have a Kitchen Torch?
No worries! If you don’t have a kitchen torch, you can achieve a similar effect by using your oven’s broiler. Just place the assembled brownies under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning. Rotate them as needed to ensure even toasting.
