The Ultimate S’mores Brownie Cake: A Decadent Campfire Treat Indoors

Prepare to experience the magic of S’mores in an entirely new, incredibly decadent form: the S’mores Brownie Cake. This isn’t just any dessert; it’s a symphony of textures and flavors featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a rich, fudgy chocolate brownie, and a crowning layer of perfectly toasted marshmallows. It’s the quintessential campfire treat, reimagined for your kitchen, promising all the nostalgic goodness without the smoke or the bugs!

Unlocking the Irresistible Charm of S’mores

There’s something undeniably captivating about S’mores. Perhaps it’s the symphony of distinct textures—the crunch of the graham cracker, the melt of the chocolate, and the gooey, stretchy marshmallow. Or maybe it’s the profound sense of nostalgia, conjuring images of warm summer nights, crackling campfires, and shared laughter. Interestingly, many of us, including myself, might not consider ourselves huge fans of graham crackers or marshmallows on their own. Yet, combine these elements with chocolate, and something truly extraordinary happens – the S’mores magic comes alive.

The Humble Graham Cracker: A Foundation of Flavor

Let’s be honest, a plain graham cracker can be a bit… uninspired. It’s perfectly adequate, but not exactly a showstopper on its own. However, its true calling shines when it transforms into a crust. Ground into fine crumbs and mixed with melted butter, graham crackers become the ideal foundation for countless desserts, from creamy cheesecakes to the very S’mores Brownie Cake we’re celebrating today. Their subtle sweetness and earthy notes provide a wonderful counterpoint to richer flavors, creating a balanced and utterly delicious base.

The Sweet, Gooey Cloud: Marshmallows Reimagined

Much like graham crackers, marshmallows in their untouched state might not tempt everyone to eat them straight from the bag – unlike, say, a handful of chocolate chips! But their potential is truly unleashed when heat is applied. Whether lightly toasted over a campfire, melted into chewy rice crispy treats, or stirred into a rich fudge recipe, marshmallows are transformed. In our S’mores Brownie Cake, they become a golden, caramelized, gooey topping that perfectly complements the fudgy brownie beneath, adding that essential characteristic “S’mores” texture and sweetness.

Why the S’mores Brownie Cake is Your Next Must-Bake Dessert

When you bring together the triumvirate of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, a magical alchemy occurs. The separate components, perhaps ordinary on their own, blend into an unforgettable medley of flavors and textures. This S’mores Brownie Cake captures that very magic, elevating it into an easy-to-make, yet impressive, dessert. It’s the perfect treat for a cozy rainy day, a casual family gathering, or simply when you crave that comforting campfire flavor without having to venture outdoors or light a fire. It delivers all the nostalgic delight in a convenient, sliceable cake form.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the incredible payoff. You get a sturdy, crumbly crust, a rich and moist brownie layer embedded with real chocolate bar pieces, and then that crowning glory of beautifully toasted, slightly caramelized marshmallows. Each bite is a journey through the classic S’mores experience, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Crafting Your S’mores Brownie Masterpiece: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this S’mores Brownie Cake is a straightforward and rewarding process. It combines the ease of a brownie recipe with the structural joy of a cake, ensuring a delightful outcome every time. Let’s walk through the key stages to ensure your cake turns out perfectly.

The Perfect Graham Cracker Crust

A great S’mores experience starts with a solid foundation. Our graham cracker crust is simple yet essential. By combining finely crushed graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, you create a cohesive, buttery layer that provides a fantastic textural contrast to the soft brownie above. Pressing it firmly into the pan ensures it holds together beautifully once baked, offering a satisfying crunch with every forkful.

A Fudgy, Chocolatey Brownie Base

The heart of this dessert is a rich, fudgy brownie. This recipe calls for cocoa powder and melted butter, forming a paste before other ingredients are added, which helps create that deep chocolate flavor and dense texture we all love in a good brownie. The addition of genuine Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars broken into pieces and placed on top of the batter before baking ensures pockets of pure melted chocolate delight throughout the cake. This layer is what truly brings the “brownie” to the S’mores Brownie Cake, making it exceptionally moist and satisfying.

Achieving Golden Marshmallow Perfection

The final, iconic touch is the toasted marshmallow topping. After the brownie is baked to perfection, a generous layer of mini marshmallows is sprinkled over the warm surface. A quick turn under the broiler is all it takes to transform them from simple white puffs into golden, slightly caramelized, and wonderfully gooey clouds. This step requires a watchful eye – marshmallows can go from perfectly toasted to burnt in a matter of seconds. Typically, 90 seconds to two minutes is all you need to achieve that signature golden hue and melt-in-your-mouth texture, mimicking the campfire experience indoors.

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Smore’s Brownie Cake

Ingredients

for crust

1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
4 tablespoons butter, melted

for brownies

1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted and divided
1/4 cup boiling water
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup all purpose flour
pinch salt
2 1.55 ounce Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars
1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Grease a 8×8 or 9×9 square baking pan. Set aside.
Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter, stirring to evenly coat crumbs. Spread evenly in prepared pan and gently press down to form crust.
In a mixing bowl, combine cocoa powder and baking soda. Stir in 1/2 melted butter to form a paste. Stir in boiling water until mixture thickens.
Add in vanilla, sugar, egg and remaining butter, stirring until smooth. Add in flour and salt, stir just until combined.
Pour batter over crust. Break Hershey bar into sections and place on top of batter.
Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle marshmallows over top, turn oven to broil and broil brownies just until marshmallows start to turn golden. In my oven it was about 90 seconds.
Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting.

Notes

recipe source ChocolateChocolateandmore.com

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Tips for S’mores Brownie Cake Success

To ensure your S’mores Brownie Cake is nothing short of spectacular, here are a few tips:

Pan Size Matters: While an 8×8 inch pan will yield a thicker brownie and crust, a 9×9 inch pan will result in a slightly thinner, but equally delicious, cake. Adjust baking time by a few minutes if using a different size.
Don’t Overbake the Brownie: A fudgy brownie is key. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Overbaking can lead to a dry brownie.
Broiling Marshmallows: Keep a very close eye on the marshmallows under the broiler. They can burn quickly! Rotate the pan if necessary to ensure even toasting. As soon as they are golden and puffed, remove them.
Cooling is Crucial: It’s tempting to dig in immediately, but allowing the S’mores Brownie Cake to cool completely before cutting will ensure clean slices and allow the layers to set properly. If you cut it warm, the marshmallow layer will be very gooey and might make for messy serving.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. While the marshmallows might lose a bit of their crispness, the flavor will remain fantastic.

Looking for more S’mores magic?

If you’ve fallen in love with the S’mores flavor profile, there’s a whole world of S’mores-inspired treats to explore! From crunchy cookie bars to delightful mini donuts and even elegant pies, the possibilities are endless. These variations offer different textures and forms, but all capture that beloved combination of chocolate, graham cracker, and toasted marshmallow.

S’mores Cookie Bars

Smores Mini Donuts from Snap!

Easy Smores Pops from I Should Be Mopping the Floor

Smores Pie from Annie’s City Kitchen

Indulge in the Perfect Indoor S’mores Experience

This S’mores Brownie Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create joy and sweet memories right in your home kitchen. Whether you’re a lifelong S’mores enthusiast or new to its charms, this cake promises a delightful journey for your taste buds. With its irresistible layers and familiar flavors, it’s bound to become a favorite in your recipe collection. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to bake a little bit of magic today!