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    Home » bars & brownies

    Published: Aug 12, 2019 • Modified: Nov 5, 2021 • This site generates income via ads and may contain affiliate links. See my privacy policy linked in the footer.

    Layered S'mores Brownies

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    Classic S'mores Brownies | All Images © Beyond the Butter, LLC
    Classic S'mores Brownies with mini marshmallows | All Images © Beyond the Butter, LLC

    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!

    Classic S'mores Brownies with graham cracker crust | All Images © Beyond the Butter, LLC
    Classic S'mores Brownies | All Images © Beyond the Butter, LLC

    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.


    recommended baking tools for making layered s'mores brownies

    KitchenAid KHM926CA 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer with Turbo Beater II Accessories and Pro Whisk
    Webake Silicone Baking Pans Set of 4 Include Muffin Pan, Mini Cupcake Pan, Mini Brownie Pan, Mini Tart Pan, Cake Mold Combo Set
    Wilton White Mini Baking and Party Cups - 350 Count
    Wilton Perfect Results Non-Stick Mini Muffin and Cupcake Pan, 24-Cup
    Nordic Ware Freshly Baked Square Cake Pan, 9", Metallic
    USA Pan Bakeware Square Cake Pan, 8 inch, Nonstick & Quick Release Coating, Made in the USA from Aluminized Steel
    Anchor Hocking 10pc Glass Mixing Bowl Set
    Joseph Joseph Shake-It Self-Tapping Sieve, Large
    Zassenhaus Magnetic Retro Kitchen Timer
    Baker's Joy Cake Pan Spray
    Nordic Ware 9" x 13" Rectangular Cake Pan with Lid, Silver
    KitchenAid KHM926CA 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer with Turbo Beater II Accessories and Pro Whisk
    Webake Silicone Baking Pans Set of 4 Include Muffin Pan, Mini Cupcake Pan, Mini Brownie Pan, Mini Tart Pan, Cake Mold Combo Set
    Wilton White Mini Baking and Party Cups - 350 Count
    Wilton Perfect Results Non-Stick Mini Muffin and Cupcake Pan, 24-Cup
    Nordic Ware Freshly Baked Square Cake Pan, 9", Metallic
    USA Pan Bakeware Square Cake Pan, 8 inch, Nonstick & Quick Release Coating, Made in the USA from Aluminized Steel
    Anchor Hocking 10pc Glass Mixing Bowl Set
    Joseph Joseph Shake-It Self-Tapping Sieve, Large
    Zassenhaus Magnetic Retro Kitchen Timer
    Baker's Joy Cake Pan Spray
    Nordic Ware 9" x 13" Rectangular Cake Pan with Lid, Silver

    Layered S'mores Brownies | All Images © Beyond the Butter, LLC

    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!
    Half eaten S'mores Brownie on a dessert plate | All Images © Beyond the Butter™

    Layered S'mores Brownies

    Author: Jennifer
    These perfectly layered s'mores brownies recipe is a decadent dessert with toasted mini marshmallows, fudgy brownies with Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares inside, followed by a buttery, graham cracker crust. It's a must try this summer, fall, and all year round! 
    (prevent your screen from going dark while making this recipe)
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 55 minutes
    Cook Time 46 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 41 minutes
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 servings

    Ingredients
     

    graham cracker crust

    • 12 Honey Graham Crackers (crushed into fine crumbs)
    • 5 tablespoon Unsalted Butter (melted)

    fudgy brownies

    • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ½ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • ¼ cup Unsalted Butter, softened
    • ¼ cup Vegetable, Canola, or Coconut Oil
    • 1 ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
    • 3 Large Eggs (whisked slightly)
    • 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 9 Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares (unwrapped and placed in grid pattern)

    toasted mini marshmallows

    • 3-4 cup Mini Marshmallows

    Instructions

    • Adjust the oven rack to the 2nd level position just above center and preheat then oven to 350ºF.
    • Generously spray an 8 inch square pan with a flour-based baking spray. Set aside.
      Tip: If you’d like to be able to pull the brownies out of the pan easier to cut them, add 2 overlapping strips of parchment paper on top of the flour-based coated pan, then spray again with the flour-based baking spray. If you plan to just keep them in the pan to cut them, then you can skip the parchment paper.
    • Using a food processor, pulverize the graham crackers into fine crumbs. Add in the melted unsalted butter and pulse until fully combined.
      12 Honey Graham Crackers, 5 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
    • Spoon the graham cracker crust into the borrow of the prepared 8” x 8” brownie pan, then place in the freezer to chill while you prepare the brownie batter.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Set aside.
      1 cup All-Purpose Flour, ½ teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Baking Powder, ½ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • Using your hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar together on medium speed until well blended.
      ¼ cup Unsalted Butter, softened, ¼ cup Vegetable, Canola, or Coconut Oil, 1 ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
    • Add in the slightly whisked eggs and vanilla extract, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
      3 Large Eggs, 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • Switching the mixer speed to low, add in your dry ingredients a little at a time until it’s blended with the wet mixture. Be careful not to over mix the brownie batter.
    • Bring the pan out from the freezer and spoon half of the brownie batter onto the top of the chilled graham cracker crust. Evenly place each unwrapped Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Caramel Square in a grid pattern, then pour the remaining half of brownie batter over top.
      9 Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares
    • Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350ºF. Avoiding the caramel squares as best you can, insert a toothpick to make sure your brownies are done. If they still have crumbs on the toothpick, remove them from the oven. If they still have brownie batter on the toothpick, then keep them in, but monitor them every minute until done. 
    • Using hot pads move the oven rack from the 2nd level position to the 3rd level position. Switch your oven settings from bake to broil, and set to HI.
    • Carefully top the brownies with the mini marshmallows, then place the pan into the broiler.
      3-4 cup Mini Marshmallows
    • Toast/broil the marshmallows for 3-6 minutes max. Closely monitor this part of the recipe carefully so the marshmallows do not burn. 
    • Remove from the oven when the mini marshmallows have puffed up and have a very light golden brown color to them.
    • Remove s'mores brownies from the oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into them.
    Tried this recipe and loved it?Snap a pic and share it with me over on Instagram tagging @beyond.the.butter and #beyondthebutter in your caption or stories!

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    Welcome to my blog! I'm Jennifer and I love creating and sharing dessert recipes that are sweet, simple, and fun to make, and bring me—and hopefully you and your loved ones—wonderful memories! Learn more about me and my inspiration for starting Beyond the Butter!

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