Layered S'mores Brownies

Layered S'mores Brownies are the perfect way to elevate that classic summer treat into something a little fancy! It's a decadent dessert made in an 8" x 8" baking pan that layers toasted mini marshmallows, fudgy brownies with milk chocolate caramel squares, followed by a buttery, graham cracker crust. It's a must try for summer, fall, or really anytime of the year!

how to make perfectly layered s'mores brownies

This classic layered S'mores Brownies recipe is an easy one that's broken out into 3 layers —the graham cracker crust, super fudgy brownies with milk chocolate caramel squares, followed by the toasted mini marshmallows.

graham cracker crust

The first layer in this brownie recipe is the graham cracker crust. It combines only 2 ingredients: melted butter and graham cracker crumbs.

That's it!

Using my food processor I pulverize 12 graham crackers, then add in the melted butter. Next, you'll spoon the crust into the bottom of a prepared 8" x "8 baking pan and press down using the bottom of a measuring cup or glass until level.

I make this part of the recipe first because it requires a little bit of chilling in the freezer while you make the brownie batter.

fudgy brownies with milk chocolate caramel squares

For this part of the layered s'mores brownies recipe, I've tweaked my Double Chocolate Mint Brownies recipe to make them even fudgier!

The ingredients include: all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, unsweetened cocoa, unsalted butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, and vanilla extract.

In place of the melted Andes chocolates I used in the mint brownies, I'm using 9 Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares. The difference this time around is you don't melt the squares. You'll simply unwrap them and place them in a grid pattern in between two layers of the brownie batter. I've also increased the baking time slightly because of the graham cracker crust below them.

toasted mini marshmallows

The toasted mini marshmallows layer is probably the easiest one of them all because it's the only ingredient needed! Of course, if you'd rather use the regular large-size marshmallows that's okay too!

For the toasting part, you'll need to use your oven's broiler.

Never broiled anything before? I've got you covered with a bunch of tips below on how to do it without burning your marshmallows to bits!

You can also use a kitchen blow torch for toasting the marshmallows as well. I used this method when making my S'mores Rolls!

how to toast marshmallows in your oven using the broiler

If you saw my Instagram Stories the other day, you got to see the first round of these layered s'mores brownies that went up in flames.

Literally up in flames. I'm not making this up.

The mini marshmallows I carefully hand placed into rows were now a well-charred black layer mess. And the parchment paper that hung over the edges of my 8" x 8" USA baking pan...burnt to ashes. Gone.

Go ahead, you can laugh! I am...now.

So, I thought I would take a minute to give you some helpful broiling tips for toasting the mini-marshmallow layer of this s'mores brownies recipe.

broiling settings

After baking the brownies and placing the mini marshmallows on top, switch the oven from Bake to Broil, and select 'HI'.

Some ovens will have a temperature that you can enter, some will have the Hi/Low combination, and others will just have the broil setting. My oven has the HI/LOW setting.

If your oven has the temperature option, please refer to your oven's manual for recommended broiler temps - or Google it. Google has all the answers!

oven rack position

You can either leave the oven rack at the 2nd level mark or you can move it down to the 3rd level or center mark.

I would highly recommend moving your s'mores brownies to 3rd level. This is where I placed mine the 2nd time around and it took almost 6 minutes.

Whatever level you decide to move your oven rack to, do not become impatient and move it to the top level that's directly underneath the broiler.

You might think that it will be quicker to toast the mini marshmallows this way, but you'll more than likely burn them badly and, worse yet, you'll set the top layer on fire.

Ahem, like I did.☺️

avoid distractions

Avoid any distractions as much as possible while you're broiling the top of the mini marshmallows layer. It's important to pay attention and keep and eye on them while they toast. This take any where from 3-6 minutes.

set a timer

Set a timer on your phone, the microwave, a kitchen timer—anything to help you keep track of the time.

how to tell when they're done

Take them out of the oven once the tops of them have turned a light golden brown color. Leaving them in longer can result in possibly burning them.

Despite my epic fail the first time around, broiling in itself really isn't difficult. But, like I mentioned above and will stress again here, you really need to pay attention to the time while they're in there.

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recommended baking tools for making layered s'mores brownies

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last minute quick s'mores brownie making tips

• Recommended baking times for the brownies are 35-40 minutes at 350ºF. My brownies took the full 40 minutes. I recommend starting to check them at the 35 minutes mark.
• Broiling times will vary from oven to oven, but for this recipe, the recommended times are 3-6 minutes. Carefully monitor the broiling time!
• I used my 8" x 8" baking pan by USA Pan. This pan is one of the best pans I've ever used. It's indestructible!
• Lining your baking pan with parchment is optional, but it does help when it comes time to cutting your s'mores brownies. If you choose to line the pan, make sure to spray it with a flour-based baking spray before and after placing the paper.
• You can use mini marshmallows or the regular large-size marshmallows.
• When adding the marshmallows, I placed them in rows, but you can get creative and do a cool swirl pattern, or just simply place them on top!

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