These S'mores Brownies will be the star of your Summer BBQ or Picnic! With a graham crumb base, a brownie layer and all topped off with a browned marshmallow topping.
1/4teaspooncream of tartar, or 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar
Pinchfine salt
1teaspoonvanilla extract
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray an 8 or 9-inch square baking pan and line with a piece of foil or parchment paper, allowing a couple of inches of over-hang on two sides.
For the Graham Base: Combine cracker crumbs, brown sugar and salt in a medium bowl and stir. Add melted butter and stir together until cracker crumbs are coated in butter. Gently press mixture into prepared pan and bake in the pre-heated 350° F. oven for 8-10 minutes. Set aside to cool completely before proceeding.
For the Brownie Layer: Melt the butter and chocolate together in a medium metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch the water). *Or do this in the microwave, if you prefer.
Let the chocolate cool slightly before stirring in the sugar, salt and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring each time until blended. Add the flour and cocoa and beat until the mixture is smooth, 30-60 seconds. Batter will be thick. Scrape the batter on top of the cooled graham cracker base and smooth top. Bake in pre-heated 350° F. oven until the top is uniformly coloured, with no indentation and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out almost clean, with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, about 22-28 minutes. Set aside to cool completely before proceeding.
To make the Marshmallow Topping: Fill a medium saucepan with 1 inch of water and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
Place the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt in a clean metal or glass bowl, then place the bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. Heat the egg white mixture, whisking constantly, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot to the touch (about 120° F. on an instant-read thermometer), about 3-5 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or beat with a hand mixer in the same bowl. Turn the mixer to medium and whisk for 1 minute. Increase the speed to high and whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes more. Add the vanilla and whisk until just incorporated, about 1 minute.
Spoon marshmallow topping over cooled brownie layer and spread to cover top, swirling to make a decorative pattern.
To brown marshmallow topping, use a kitchen torch or remove from baking pan, fold down overhang sides then place on a baking sheet. Broil in oven until lightly golden (best done 10-12 inches from the broiler element - not too close, so it doesn't scorch)