Oh my goodness, who doesn’t just LOVE a good s’more? That gooey marshmallow, the melty chocolate, the hint of graham cracker… it’s pure campfire magic! Well, I’ve figured out how to capture all that nostalgic goodness without even needing a bonfire. My S’mores Brownie Bars are seriously the best of both worlds – a ridiculously chewy homemade brownie topped with all the s’mores fixings you could dream of. Trust me, these are going to be your new go-to treat for practically any occasion. I remember making these for the first time, and my kitchen instantly smelled like happiness!
Why You’ll Love These S’mores Brownie Bars
Honestly, what’s not to adore about these S’mores Brownie Bars? They’re ridiculously easy to whip up, meaning you get that amazing campfire taste without a ton of fuss. Plus, that incredible combination of super chewy brownie, melty chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and crumbly graham crackers is just pure magic in every bite. They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
Gather Your Ingredients for S’mores Brownie Bars
Alright, let’s get this baking party started! To make these absolutely incredible S’mores Brownie Bars, you’re going to want to round up a few key players. Nothing too fancy, just good ol’ pantry staples that come together like a dream. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted: Gotta have that rich base! Make sure it’s melted, and trust me, the proper way to melt butter really does make a difference.
- 2 cups granulated sugar: For that perfect sweetness and chewy texture.
- 4 large eggs: These bind everything together and give the brownies their structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Just a splash to wake up all those amazing flavors.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of our brownie.
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: This is where the deep, chocolatey flavor comes from!
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Just a little lift.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances out all that sweetness. Don’t skip it!
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Because more chocolate is always a good idea.
- 1 cup mini marshmallows: These are key for that gooey, toasted s’mores topping.
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs: Yes, you read that right! It adds that authentic s’mores vibe. You can crush up graham crackers yourself or buy them pre-crushed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making S’mores Brownie Bars
Okay, now for the fun part! Getting these S’mores Brownie Bars into your belly is super straightforward. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll be one step closer to s’mores heaven.
Preparing the Pan and Brownie Batter
First things first, get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). You’ll want to grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan so nothing sticks later. In a big bowl, whisk together your melted butter and sugar until they’re buddies. Then, beat in those eggs one by one, followed by the vanilla. In another bowl, mix your flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently add the dry stuff to the wet stuff, mixing just until it all comes together. Seriously, don’t overmix, or your brownies might get tough! Remember, the proper way to melt butter really does make a difference here.
Assembling the S’mores Brownie Bars Layers
Now for the layers! Spread about half of that gorgeous brownie batter evenly into your prepared pan. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth, we’ve got more goodness coming. Next, sprinkle a nice, even layer of those graham cracker crumbs right over the batter. It’s like building the campfire base! Then, scatter those semi-sweet chocolate chips all over the crumbs, getting them into the nooks and crannies.
Baking and Adding the Marshmallow Topping
Dollop the rest of your brownie batter over the chocolate chips. Try to get it as even as you can. Now, pop that pan into your preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for a toothpick to come out with just moist crumbs attached – that’s the sweet spot for chewy brownies. As soon as they come out, while they’re still piping hot, sprinkle those mini marshmallows all over the top. Quickly pop it back into the oven for just 2-3 more minutes, or until those marshmallows are puffed up and looking a lovely golden brown. For extra toasted marshmallows, you can even use the broiler for about 30-60 seconds, but watch them like a hawk, seriously!
Cooling and Cutting Your S’mores Brownie Bars
This is the HARDEST part: you absolutely have to let them cool completely before you even *think* about cutting them. If you try to cut them while they’re warm, they’ll just turn into a delicious mess. Once they’re totally cool, grab a sharp knife and cut them into nice, neat bars. Aim for about 24 bars so everyone gets a good portion of brownie, marshmallow, and graham cracker goodness.
Tips for Perfect S’mores Brownie Bars
Okay, you’ve made these amazing S’mores Brownie Bars, but how do you make sure they’re *absolutely* perfect every single time? It’s all about a few little tricks and paying attention to the details. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated! We want that perfectly chewy brownie, that gooey marshmallow situation, and that hint of graham cracker campfire magic. Trust me, these simple tips will elevate your S’mores Brownie Bars from good to unforgettable.
Ingredient Substitutions and Notes
While the recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to play around a bit! If you’re not a fan of semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips are totally fine for a sweeter bite. Sometimes I even throw in some dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor. You can also crush up cinnamon graham crackers or even chocolate graham crackers for a little twist! Just a heads-up, make sure your marshmallows are fresh; stale ones can get a bit sad and don’t toast up as nicely. And if you can’t find mini marshmallows, you can chop up larger ones, but it’s a bit more work!
Frequently Asked Questions About S’mores Brownie Bars
Got questions about these amazing S’mores Brownie Bars? I get it, baking is an adventure! Here are some things folks often ask, and the best answers I can give you.
How do I get perfectly toasted marshmallows?
For that perfect golden puff, the key is a quick blast of heat! After the bars come out of the oven, sprinkle on the marshmallows and pop them back under the broiler for just 30-60 seconds. Keep a super close eye on them, though, because they go from golden to burnt in a heartbeat!
Can I make these S’mores Brownie Bars ahead of time?
You bet! These S’mores Brownie Bars are actually even better the next day. Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay wonderfully chewy and delicious for about 3-4 days. If you’re in a super hot climate, pop them in the fridge, but let them come to room temp before serving for the best texture.
What kind of cocoa powder is best?
For these S’mores Brownie Bars, I really love using natural cocoa powder. It gives you that classic rich, slightly bitter chocolate flavor that works so well with the sweet marshmallows and sugar. Dutch-processed cocoa powder is great too, especially if you like a smoother, mellower chocolate taste, but natural is my personal pick here!
Nutritional Information for Your S’mores Brownie Bars
Now, let’s talk numbers! Of course, these are just estimates because your exact ingredients and how you cut your bars can change things up a bit. But generally speaking, one of these glorious S’mores Brownie Bars will give you about 250 calories, 12g of fat (with 7g saturated), 35g of carbohydrates, 30g of sugar, 3g of protein, and around 100mg of sodium. It’s a decadent treat, for sure, but totally worth it for that taste of pure happiness!
Share Your S’mores Brownie Bar Creations!
Now that you’ve whipped up your own batch of these incredible S’mores Brownie Bars, I NEED to hear all about it! Did they turn out perfectly chewy? Did your marshmallows get that amazing golden puff? Please, leave a comment below and tell me what you think, or even give the recipe a star rating! And if you snap any photos, please tag me on social media – I absolutely LOVE seeing your baking adventures!
Print
S’mores Brownie Bars
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chewy brownie bars topped with melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Spread half of the brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the brownie batter.
- Top with the chocolate chips.
- Dollop the remaining brownie batter over the chocolate chips.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached.
- Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle the mini marshmallows over the top. Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until marshmallows are puffed and lightly golden.
- Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For extra gooey marshmallows, you can briefly broil the bars for 30-60 seconds, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- You can substitute milk chocolate chips for semi-sweet if you prefer.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: smores, brownies, chocolate, marshmallow, graham cracker, dessert bars, chewy brownies