What Are Marshmallow Brownies?

Marshmallow brownies combine chocolate, marshmallow, and often butterscotch to create a gooey twist to a classic brownie treat. Made with mostly traditional brownie ingredients or even a boxed brownie mix, marshmallow brownies require miniature marshmallows to be either stirred into the brownie batter or melted on top of the cooked treats to make a s'more-like dessert. Usually homemade, these sweets are often a favorite of children and adults alike.

Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips, unsweetened baking chocolate, or cocoa powder normally serves as the chocolate flavoring for marshmallow brownies. Whether the marshmallows are stirred into the batter or layered on top of the cooked brownies, mini marshmallows are usually preferred. Typical brownie ingredients, such as flour, baking powder, butter, and eggs, are also included in most versions. These brownies can also be made with a brownie mix and marshmallows. Chopped walnuts may be added as well.

When marshmallows are included in the brownie batter, the wet ingredients, such as eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butterscotch or chocolate, are usually combined with the sugar. The dry ingredients, usually consisting of the baking powder, flour, and salt, are mixed separately and then stirred into the wet ingredients. Afterward, the marshmallows and nuts, if used, are mixed into the batter. Sometimes chocolate chips are stirred in at that time as well. Once the batter is complete, it can be poured into a square, greased pan and baked.

If marshmallows are added after the brownies have cooked, they are simply omitted from the batter. Once the brownies are baked, they are removed from the oven and the mini marshmallows are placed in a layer on top of the still hot brownies. White or milk chocolate chips are often layered with the marshmallows. Then, the brownies are briefly returned to the oven to allow the topping to melt. Some versions may include a caramel topping once the marshmallow and chocolate topping has melted.

Still other versions of the dessert create an additional layer. The brownies are baked, then the marshmallows are sprinkled on top and heated to melt. Afterward a frosting consisting of chocolate and marshmallow mixed with milk, sugar, and butter, is created and spread over the melted marshmallows.

An additional variation of marshmallow brownies are s'more brownies. These sweets are created much like other marshmallow brownies but add graham crackers to better mimic the classic s'more taste. They also usually use full-sized marshmallows instead of the miniature variety.