S'mores Brownies is a decadent bar dessert topped with gooey marshmallow and graham cracker crumbs. Believe it or not, it only takes 35 minutes to make this quick brownie recipe from scratch!
Whether you're in the mood for a a special weeknight treat, a movie night dessert, or just want a s'more without the work of making a fire, this brownie recipe is perfect!
The unparalleled combination of nostalgia, flavor, and satisfaction truly sets this bar dessert apart.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No campfire needed. If you love s'mores, but don't want to have to toast marshmallows over a fire, this recipe is for you!
- Better flavor. Brownies from scratch taste better than anything from a box mix.
- A crowd favorite bar dessert for potlucks and parties. Just about everyone enjoys these fudgy chocolate brownies! Even better, no stand mixer is needed to make this easy s'mores brownies recipe!
Ingredients
See ingredient substitutions in the next section. ⬇️
- unsalted butter
- white granulated sugar
- eggs: Eggs are used as a binding and stabilizing agent in this recipe.
- vanilla extract: A dash of vanilla helps to deepen the chocolate flavor of the brownies. Mexican vanilla is my favorite.
- unsweetened cocoa powder: Either plain or Dutch process cocoa
- all-purpose flour
- salt: Adding just a dash of salt to the batter helps to enhance the overall sweetness of the dessert.
- baking powder: Putting baking powder in the s’mores brownie batter ensures that the brownies aren't overly dense.
- mini marshmallows: I think miniature marshmallows are the best to use in this recipe because they toast quickly.
- graham cracker crumbs: Buying prepared crumbs is convenient and saves times. To save some money, you can crush the graham crackers yourself.
Substitutions and Recipe Variations
- all-purpose flour: If you'd like to make the gingerbread cake recipe gluten-free, substitute with a cup-for-cup brand of gluten-free all-purpose flour. Two popular brands are Bob's Red Mill and King Arthur Flour.
- baking powder: If you happen to be out of baking powder, but you have baking soda and cream of tarter, you can make a baking powder replacement!
To use baking soda as a substitute for baking powder, mix ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda for every 1 teaspoon of baking powder. - white granulated sugar: To cut down on the calories of your cookies, feel free to use any cup-for-cup granulated sugar substitute. Monkfruit sugar is a good option. Light brown sugar can be used instead, but it will add a molasses flavor to the dessert.
- unsalted butter: If you need or want to use salted butter, just omit the salt this recipe calls for.
Although I haven't tested plant-based/dairy-free butter substitutes with this brownie recipe, I suspect they will work just fine. - egg: If you’re vegan or have an egg allergy, feel free to use your favorite egg substitute instead. For tips and suggestions, read my article, Egg Substitutions for Baking.
- vanilla extract: If you need an alcohol-free flavoring, you can use vanilla essence.
- mini marshmallows: As a substitute, regular sized marshmallows can be cut into smaller pieces, or marshmallow fluff can be used instead.
Recipe Variations
- Add more graham crackers: If you'd like a more classic s'mores flavor, replace ½ cup of flour in your brownie batter with ½ cup of crushed graham crackers. This shouldn’t affect the way your brownies bake too much but will really increase the cinnamon graham flavor in your brownie bars.
- Include up to ½ cup of add-ins: Feel free to stir in chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, and/or cashews) or chocolate chips (mini chips or regular) into the batter.
If you can't get enough of the iconic chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker flavor, make some S'mores Rice Krispie treats too!
How to Make S'mores Brownies
Summary only. The complete recipe instructions are in the card at the bottom of this post ⬇️
- Melt the butter, then add it to a bowl with eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. The brownie batter will be thick. Be sure there are no visible streaks of flour.
- Bake brownie batter for 20 minutes in a greased 8-inch square pan. The bars will be partially baked at this point.
- Top with mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs, and finish baking the s'more brownies.
- Let s'mores brownies cool before cutting them into squares for serving.
Liz's Tips for the Best Brownies
- If you’d like your brownies to have a little extra crunch, don't crush the graham crackers as finely, or include some larger chunks.
- To toast the marshmallow topping more, place the baking dish under the oven broiler for a minute or two. Or, use a kitchen torch to toast the topping a little bit more.
- Use boxed brownie mix: If you're short on time, you can use a boxed fudge brownie mix. To convert it into marshmallow topped brownies, simply top the brownie batter with mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs about 5 minutes before the end of the bake time.
These brownies are best served warm out of the oven so you can enjoy the gooey melted marshmallows! They're also delicious topped with ice cream and/or hot fudge sauce!
Storing Leftovers
Storing: These brownies can be kept for up to 4 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
Freezing: You can freeze the brownies for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Just be aware that the graham crackers may be a little soggy. It's best to thaw them completely at room temperature before enjoying.
Smores Brownies FAQs
No you don't need to toast marshmallows before adding to brownies. Because you add the miniature marshmallows before the brownies are finished baking, they should toast naturally in the heat of the oven.
This brownie recipe yields 12 servings. Each s'more brownie has 212 calories.
The S in s'more stands for 'some more'. It's an abbreviated version of the phrase!
Yes, you can add marshmallows to brownie mix! It's best to add marshmallows at the end on top of the brownies when they're almost done baking. Stirring marshmallows into the brownie batter doesn't work well, because they melt too much.
If the marshmallows on your s'mores brownies aren’t as toasted as you’d like, you can place the baking dish under the broiler for a minute or two. Another option is to use a kitchen torch to toast them a little more.
Other Quick Brownie Recipes To Make
- M&M Brownies
- Strawberry Brownies
- Air Fryer Brownies
- Heart Shaped Brownies
- Dark Chocolate Brownies
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Fudgy S'mores Brownies from Scratch
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt omit if using salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish, and set it aside.
- Melt butter In a saucepan over medium heat on the stove, or microwave on High power in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine.
- To the butter mixture, add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir to combine until a thick batter forms.
- Pour brownie batter into prepared baking dish and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, when brownies are almost baked through.
- Quickly pull the baking dish out of the oven, and top with mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs. Return pan of brownies to the oven for another 5 minutes to finish baking.
- When brownies are baked through and marshmallows are lightly toasted, remove from the oven.
- Allow the s'mores brownies to cool slightly before cutting, serving, and enjoying!
Helpful Notes and Tips From Liz
- If you’d like your brownies to have a little extra crunch, don't crush the graham crackers as finely, or include some larger chunks.
- To toast the marshmallow topping more, place the baking dish under the oven broiler for a minute or two. Or, use a kitchen torch to toast the topping a little bit more.
- Use boxed brownie mix: If you're short on time, you can use a boxed fudge brownie mix. To convert it into marshmallow topped brownies, simply top the brownie batter with mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs about 5 minutes before the end of the bake time.
Yvonne
Quick, easy and delicious! My new go-to recipe for brownies.
Katie
I made these the same day the recipe came out and they did not disappoint! Super easy recipe and my family went crazy over them. Definitely will be making them again 😃