Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting the most irresistible S’mores Brownies you’ll ever bake! Imagine a rich, fudgy brownie base, generously layered with classic Hershey’s chocolate bars and delightful graham cracker crumbs, then crowned with perfectly toasted marshmallows. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a sensory journey that captures the essence of warm summer nights, crackling bonfires, and cherished memories with every single bite. Get ready to create a masterpiece that combines the chewy perfection of your favorite brownie with the nostalgic charm of a classic s’more, elevating this beloved treat to an entirely new level of homemade deliciousness. Whether you’re planning a summer gathering, a cozy night in, or simply craving something extraordinary, these S’mores Brownies are guaranteed to be your new go-to recipe.
Hello, fellow baking enthusiasts! Molly here from What Molly Made. I’m thrilled to be sharing my passion for baking, where I develop, photograph, and write about both wholesome and indulgent treats. It was a pleasure meeting Carrian at the Everything Food Conference, and her genuine enthusiasm for culinary creativity truly inspired me. As a long-time admirer of Oh Sweet Basil, I’m incredibly honored to contribute some of my favorite recipes to this wonderful community. With summer just around the corner, what better way to kick off the season’s festivities than with a recipe that embodies everything we love about warm weather and outdoor fun? S’mores are more than just a snack; they’re a symbol of carefree days, laughter shared around a campfire, and the simple joy of good company. This recipe for S’mores Brownies is my fun and innovative twist on that beloved classic, designed to bring those delightful summer vibes straight to your kitchen.
The Quintessential Summer Treat: Understanding S’mores
Before we dive into baking our extraordinary S’mores Brownies, let’s take a moment to appreciate the magic behind the original S’more. At its heart, a S’more is a delightful, gooey sandwich featuring a toasted marshmallow and a piece of chocolate, all nestled between two crisp graham crackers. This iconic treat has a surprisingly rich history, with its origins tracing back to the early 20th century. The first documented recipe for “Some More” (the precursor to “S’more”) appeared in the 1927 Girl Scout guidebook, “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” It quickly became a campfire staple, a quintessential part of American outdoor culture, loved for its simple assembly and wonderfully sweet, comforting flavor. The combination of crunchy graham cracker, melting chocolate, and warm, fluffy marshmallow creates a textural and taste experience that is truly unmatched. My creative process often involves reimagining traditional flavors in exciting new ways, and these S’mores Brownies are a perfect example of transforming a beloved campfire classic into a decadent baked dessert.
My initial idea for these brownies involved simply incorporating chocolate into the brownie batter itself. However, as I refined the recipe, I realized that to truly capture the authentic S’mores experience, it needed a distinct layer of genuine Hershey’s chocolate. That’s when inspiration struck: why not embed whole Hershey’s chocolate bars right into the heart of the brownie? This ingenious layering technique involves pouring half of the fudgy brownie batter into the pan, then carefully arranging the chocolate bars on top, ensuring full coverage. The remaining brownie batter is then spread over the chocolate, encasing it in a luscious chocolatey embrace. This method guarantees that every bite offers that unmistakable, satisfying melt of a classic Hershey’s bar, making these brownies an undeniable tribute to the S’mores tradition. This technique is incredibly versatile, too; imagine the possibilities with other candy bars, like a delightful Reese’s brownie! But for this particular recipe, a genuine Hershey’s chocolate bar is absolutely essential for that authentic S’mores flavor profile.
Before we delve into the exciting final touches of graham cracker crumbs and perfectly toasted marshmallows, let’s take a moment to appreciate the foundation of this incredible dessert: the brownie batter itself. Achieving that perfect, rich, and utterly fudgy texture in a brownie is an art, and I’m about to share some of my favorite “nerdy” baking secrets to ensure your S’mores Brownies are nothing short of spectacular. The fudginess isn’t an accident; it’s the result of carefully considered ingredients and techniques.
The Secret to Unforgettable Fudgy Brownies
Creating brownies that are rich, dense, and wonderfully fudgy requires a few key elements. These simple ingredients work together harmoniously to produce a texture that’s the antithesis of cakey. Here’s how we achieve that decadent fudginess:
1. The Magic of Melted Butter
Melted butter is a game-changer for chewy baked goods, and it’s absolutely essential for our fudgy brownies. When butter is melted and gently whisked with sugar, it prevents the formation of air bubbles in the batter. Air bubbles are the primary culprits behind a cakey texture, which is precisely what we want to avoid here! Furthermore, this recipe intentionally omits traditional leavening agents like baking soda or baking powder. This means we don’t have to worry about them reacting with dairy in the butter, which could also lead to a lighter, more cake-like crumb. In these S’mores Brownies, it’s all about that dense, gooey fudge from start to finish!
2. Dual Chocolate Power: Melted Chocolate & Cocoa Powder
The strategic combination of a significant amount of melted semi-sweet chocolate and a touch of unsweetened cocoa powder is crucial for both fudgy texture and a deep, complex chocolate flavor. The melted chocolate provides essential moisture and richness, contributing directly to the gooey, melt-in-your-mouth quality we crave. Meanwhile, the cocoa powder intensifies the overall chocolate taste, ensuring that every bite is packed with robust, authentic chocolate goodness. This synergistic approach ensures a multi-dimensional chocolate experience that truly stands out.
3. Sugar’s Role: Granulated for Cracks, Brown for Chew
While granulated sugar makes up the majority of the sweetener in this recipe, it’s the small but mighty addition of packed light brown sugar that is key to achieving that signature chewy brownie texture. Granulated sugar plays a vital role in the baking process; it rises to the surface of the brownies, creating those beautiful, delicate crackles that are a hallmark of a perfectly baked brownie. However, brown sugar, with its inherent moisture and molasses content, significantly enhances the chewiness, contributing to the dense, satisfying bite that defines a truly fudgy brownie. This careful balance of sugars ensures both visual appeal and a superior texture.
4. Eggs: The Sole Leavening Agent
In these fudgy S’mores Brownies, the eggs are the sole leavening agent. This is a deliberate choice to ensure maximum fudginess. Using three large eggs in this recipe provides the necessary structure and moisture without introducing excessive air, which, as mentioned, leads to a cakey outcome. The eggs bind the ingredients, contribute to the rich color, and most importantly, help create that wonderfully dense, moist, and supremely fudgy consistency we’re striving for. They are indispensable for achieving the perfect brownie experience.
Why Brownies Sometimes Come Out Cakey (and How to Master Fudginess)
Understanding why brownies can sometimes turn out cakey is key to consistently baking fudgy perfection. The primary culprit is often too much air incorporated into the batter. That’s why, despite using simple ingredients, our mixing method is crucial. Instead of relying on a stand mixer or electric beaters, which can whip excessive air into the mixture, we gently whisk the ingredients. This minimal aeration technique is vital for maintaining that dense, fudgy texture. The added bonus? Fewer dishes to clean! No heavy machinery needed for these delicious treats.
Once your rich brownies have baked to perfection with their delightful graham cracker crumb layer, it’s time for the absolute best part: topping them with fluffy marshmallows! This step transforms already amazing brownies into an iconic S’mores experience. After removing the pan from the oven, generously cover the entire surface of the brownies with mini marshmallows, ensuring an even layer. Then, carefully return the pan to the oven for an additional three minutes. During this short bake, the marshmallows will soften and beautifully puff up, almost doubling in size, creating a cloud-like topping. For that classic golden-brown, toasted marshmallow effect, activate your oven’s broiler. Watch them meticulously during this phase, as marshmallows can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. In my experience, about one and a half minutes under the broiler usually achieves that ideal caramelized hue and wonderfully gooey texture. The aroma filling your kitchen will be utterly irresistible!
Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to cutting these magnificent brownies! After the marshmallows are toasted, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period is absolutely essential. Allowing the brownies to fully cool ensures that the Hershey’s chocolate bars nestled in the center solidify again, providing a clean, defined chocolate layer when you slice into them. If you attempt to cut them too soon, the warm chocolate will be melty and may smudge, making it difficult to achieve neat squares. For exceptionally clean cuts, a simple trick works wonders: wipe your knife with a warm, damp paper towel between each slice. This prevents sticking and ensures every brownie square looks as perfect as it tastes.
Get ready to delight your taste buds and impress your friends and family with these extraordinary S’mores Brownies. They’re the ultimate celebration of summer, combining rich, fudgy brownies with the beloved flavors and textures of a classic campfire treat. Happy (almost) summer, everyone!
Our Best S’mores Brownies Recipe
The Ultimate Chewy S’mores Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter
- 8 Ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
- 3 Large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2/3 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 Tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 5 Hershey’s Bars
- 1/2 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 3 1/2 Cups Mini Marshmallows
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and semi-sweet chocolate, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes. Alternatively, melt in a medium microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments until smooth and completely melted.
- Remove the mixture from the heat, pour it into a large mixing bowl, and allow it to cool slightly for 8-10 minutes.
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×9 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, ensuring there’s an overhang on all sides. This will make removing the brownies much easier after baking.
- Set the prepared pan aside.
- Once the chocolate and butter mixture has cooled slightly, whisk in both the granulated and brown sugars until well combined.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking thoroughly until smooth after each addition.
- Whisk in the vanilla extract, then gently fold in the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Be careful not to overmix the batter; mix just until no dry streaks remain.
- Pour half of the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
- Place the Hershey’s chocolate bars directly on top of the batter, covering the entire surface. You may need to break pieces to fit; it’s okay if there are small gaps.
- Pour the remaining half of the brownie batter over the chocolate bars and gently spread it out to create an even layer.
- Gently sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 35-36 minutes, or until the edges of the brownies begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately cover the entire top surface with mini marshmallows.
- Return the pan to the oven and continue to bake for an additional 3 minutes. The marshmallows will soften and puff up (they might almost double in size).
- If the marshmallows aren’t as golden and toasted as you’d like, turn on your oven’s broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch them very closely during this step, as marshmallows can brown quickly under the broiler.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan, set on a wire rack. This is crucial for the internal chocolate layer to set.
- Once completely cooled, use the foil or parchment overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Slice them into squares using a warm, clean knife for the cleanest cuts.
Recipe Notes
For optimal freshness, these S’mores Brownies should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and will stay delicious for up to 4 days at room temperature. For longer storage, they can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Nutrition
Calories: 305kcal,
Carbohydrates: 41g,
Protein: 3g,
Fat: 15g,
Saturated Fat: 9g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 5g,
Trans Fat: 1g,
Cholesterol: 47mg,
Sodium: 115mg,
Potassium: 140mg,
Fiber: 2g,
Sugar: 29g,
Vitamin A: 229IU,
Calcium: 24mg,
Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below and share your experience. Your feedback helps us and other bakers!
Find more delicious recipes from Molly:
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Try these other fantastic S’mores inspired desserts:
Chocolate Chip Cookie S’mores Bars
And don’t miss these other amazing brownie creations:
Skillet Rocky Road Brownies
