I had quite the unusual Sacramento summer evening a few weeks ago. After spending the day goofing around by the pool, a few good friends and I were lounging around talking about anything and everything. A discussion about camping quickly led to an unbearable craving for s’mores and, before we knew it, the seven of us were sitting around a fire pit toasting marshmallows.
So, when talk began at work the next Monday about who was bringing what to the Sac Foodies Second Anniversary Potluck, I definitely had the sticky, chocolaty treat on my mind. Knowing that I’d have a hard time convincing the other Sac Foodies to stand around a fire toasting marshmallows in the middle of summer (they obviously have much more sense than I do!), I needed to come up with something just as gooey-delicious as the real thing – thus, I give you Campfire Brownies.
Ingredients
Crust
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch fine salt
Brownie
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup packed light brown sugar
¾ cup white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon fine salt
4 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
Topping
4 cups large marshmallows
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees with the rack positioned in the lower third of the oven. Spray an 8x8 inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Stir together the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, sugar and salt. Spread that mixture evenly over the bottom of the baking pan. Bake about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
While the crust is baking…
Put the unsalted stick of butter and chocolate in a medium microwave safe bowl and melt in the microwave on 75% power for 2 minutes. Stir, and microwave again until it’s completely melted (about 2 more minutes). Stir the brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs and beat until it’s thick and blended. Add the flour and stir until all blended.
Once the crust is finished baking…
Pour the chocolate brownie batter into the pan on top of the crust. Bake about 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean.
Remove from the oven and reposition rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat on low. Layer the marshmallows across the top of the brownies. Toast the marshmallows under the broiler until golden. ( Make sure to keep a close eye on it, because it’ll happen fast and you don’t want them to burn/catch fire!) Let cool and see if you can smell the campfire as you enjoy!
Catherine says
What a great idea!
KC says
My daughter used this recipe for a family reunion this past weekend…..everyone complimented her on how good this was….and, what a great alternative to smores!
Cecily says
So glad to hear it went over well! It seems to be a guaranteed hit. We also discovered that the leftovers (if there are any) make a great breakfast treat with our morning coffee : )