The Cozy Magic of S’mores Brownies

There’s something about the crackle of a campfire, the scent of toasted marshmallows, and the way melted chocolate clings to your fingers that feels like pure childhood joy. But let’s be honest—building a fire in the backyard isn’t always practical (especially when a sudden rainstorm or a lack of kindling gets in the way). That’s where these S’mores Brownies come in. They capture every bit of that nostalgic magic, but in a form you can bake anytime, anywhere. One bite, and you’re transported to summer nights under the stars—no bug spray required.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted – The rich base of our brownies. I like to brown mine slightly for a nutty depth, but straight melted works beautifully too.
• 2 cups granulated sugar – For that classic fudgy sweetness. If you prefer a less intense sweetness, you can reduce this by ¼ cup.
• 4 large eggs – Room temperature is key here! They’ll blend into the batter more smoothly.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – A splash of warmth to round out the flavors.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it to avoid dense brownies.
• ½ cup cocoa powder – Dutch-processed will give you a deeper chocolate flavor, but natural works too.
• ½ tsp salt – Don’t skip this! It balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate.
• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs – Crush them finely, but leave a few bigger pieces for texture.
• 2 cups mini marshmallows – The mini ones melt evenly, but torn-up large marshmallows work in a pinch.
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips – Or chop up a bar for melty pockets of goodness.

Let’s Bake Some Nostalgia

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper—this ensures easy lifting and slicing later. (Trust me, wrestling sticky marshmallow-laced brownies out of a pan is no one’s idea of fun.)

1. Mix the brownie base: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until glossy. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each, then mix in the vanilla. Gently fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt until just combined. Overmixing = tough brownies, and we want these to be gloriously fudgy.
2. Layer the graham cracker goodness: Sprinkle half the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the bottom of your prepared pan. Pour the brownie batter on top, spreading it gently to cover the crumbs. Now, scatter the remaining crumbs over the batter—like a little sandy beach waiting for marshmallow waves.
3. Bake (but not quite yet!): Pop the pan into the oven for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, let those mini marshmallows and chocolate chips sit on the counter—they’ll be joining the party soon.

At this point, your kitchen should smell like a chocolatey dream. But we’re not done yet—the best part is still to come!