Puffy balls of sugar. I’ve got a thing for marshmallows. I like to eat them right out of the bag – unroasted. As a matter of fact, sometimes I dip them into the peanut butter jar as a snack. Marshmallows are also a camping staple. When we get to our campsite and realize that we’ve forgotten them, we panic to find the closest town or gas station where marshmallows might be available for purchase. What can I say, I need my s’mores. Ever since I visited my lovely, lovely friend in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Lauren, I’ve been wanting to make s’mores brownies. From what I recall of the lovely dessert she made us, it involved chocolate, marshmallows and caramel that was so hard and chewy it nearly pulled our teeth out. It was how I imagine a dentist in Candyland would remove your teeth. With desserts that just gently tugged them out – genius!! Good new that everyone kept their teeth that night in Nanaimo. This dessert is dedicated to Lauren!

When I made this recipe, I had a bit of an incident. I’m proud to say that between the two of us who write this blog, I’m the first one to actually post something under the Mishaps category title. Usually, when Kristie and I bake together kitchen drama ensues. We like to forget to add sugar or have magical overflowing cake pans. This time I managed to mess it up all on my own! Aren’t you proud?

The marshmallow topping that belongs on this brownie is what made me wish I had a fire extinguisher in the house. After I neatly lined up all the marshmallows on top, I briefly turned my back on the closed oven door. When I smelled smoke, I opened the oven door to an inferno of burning marshmallows which had become one hot, flaming, sugary, mass in my oven. I shrieked and tried to blow it out which only angered the roaring blaze so I quickly closed the door. I thought, “ovens are built for that kind of stuff… the fire is contained in there!” then I realized that may have been a poor choice. I put on the oven mitts and attempted to remove the fiery meteor from the oven so I could extinguish the flames. Once I pulled it out of the depths of hell, the fire was quickly out. Phew!

I did manage to rescue the brownie from it’s burnt fate. I carefully scraped off the top layer to reveal the warm marshmallows underneath. It was delightful!

S’mores Brownies Crust 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs 2 tablespoons sugar Pinch fine salt Brownie 1/2 cup unsalted butter 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 1 cup packed light brown sugar 3/4 cup white sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon fine salt 4 large cold eggs 1 cup all-purpose flour Topping 4 cups large marshmallows

For the crust: Preheat oven to 325ºF. Line an 8 by-8-inch square baking pan with foil so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch. Lightly grease foil.

For the crust: Stir the butter together with the crumbs, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

For the brownie: While graham crust is baking, make the brownie. Melt the butter and chocolate using a double boiler. Put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a boil then reduce to a simmer; set the bowl on the pan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted then remove from heat. Stir the light brown and white sugars, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs and beat vigorously to make a thick and glossy batter. Add the flour and stir until just incorporated.

Pour batter into the prepared pan, on top of the hot graham crust. Bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean, with a few crumbs, about 45 to 50 minutes.

For the topping: Remove from the oven and carefully position a rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat on low. Layer marshmallows across the top and toast under the broiler until golden, (keep an eye on it, it can go quick), about 1 minute. **This is where mine completely fell apart… don’t turn your back for a second or take your eyes of the marshmallows! Usually, I leave the oven door open a crack so I can spy on the food that is broiling.

Cool on a rack, gently removing the brownies from the pan using the aluminum flaps. Carefully separate any marshmallow from the foil and fold away. Cut into 12 (2-inch) squares.