S'mores Birthday Brownies

Oh yeah. You read that right.

These chocolaty, homemade brownies with graham crackers and a toasted marshmallow top are pretty fantastic.

Now, I'm not necessarily a die-hard chocolate lover, but I had one in mind when I made the brownies. January 14th was the 2nd birthday of Tyler James, my soon-to-be nephew, son of my best friend since high school, and cutest little boy I know. And his momma is one of the biggest chocolate lovers I know, so I'm sure she has him in training!

So in addition to the gift that I was shipping off to Florida, I decided to include something sweet for Mom and Ty to share — a nice box full of S'mores Birthday Brownies.

Needless to say, the brownies seemed to be well-received (thanks for the pics Jen!).

I adapted my recipe from one that Joy the Baker posted a couple of years ago.


S'mores Brownies (makes 12 large brownies)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
5 large eggs
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup graham crackers, roughly crushed
12-24 big marshmallows (see note below about quantity)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13×2-inch baking pan. 
• Combine the first 3 ingredients in small bowl. 
• In a medium-sized glass bowl, stir butter and chocolate together over a saucepan of simmering water (double boiler). Stir chocolate and butter in this double boiler until melted and smooth.

This...

...turns into this!

• Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Stir in warm chocolate mixture, and then add dry ingredients. 

• Fold in graham crackers, and then pour batter into prepared pan. And try to keep your fingers out of it — it will be tough!

• Dot with 12-24 large marshmallows. I used 12 (one per brownie), but I thought it could use more. Then again, I'm not a die-hard chocolate lover and probably liked the way the marshmallow cut the richness of the brownie — this is pure preference!
• Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 30-40 minutes. Marshmallows will be toasted and delicious.

• Cool for at least 20 minutes. Then slice with a sharp knife, cleaning the knife with hot water if it gets too sticky. Serve or wrap individually in wax paper or plastic wrap for storing.

Now go. Make some brownies. Then eat a brownie with a nice glass of ice cold milk. Then maybe your smile will be as big as Tyler's! Happy birthday Ty — with lots of love from your Aunt Dani!