A Sweet Idea from the Campfire
Hello, my dear. Come sit a spell. I was just thinking about campfires. I love the smell of wood smoke. It reminds me of summer nights.
One night, my grandson had a great idea. He asked for s’mores. But it was raining! So we made them in the kitchen. I still laugh at that. It started our kitchen s’mores tradition.
Why This Treat is Special
This recipe mixes two happy things. You get fudgy brownies and gooey s’mores. It’s like a hug in a pan. Doesn’t that sound nice?
This matters because food is about joy. It’s not just fuel. It’s about making memories with your hands. What’s your favorite food memory? Tell me about it sometime.
Let’s Make the Brownie Base
First, heat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease your baking dish well. Now, mix the brownie box stuff with oil, eggs, and water. Stir until it’s smooth.
Pour it into the dish. Bake it for just 15 minutes. This part-bake is a magic trick. It stops the topping from sinking. Fun fact: This trick works for most fruit toppings too!
The Very Best Part
While that bakes, make the topping. Break graham crackers into a bowl. Add tiny marshmallows and chopped chocolate bars. Toss them gently together.
Take the brownies out. They will look wet. That’s perfect. Sprinkle your topping all over. Put it back in the oven. Bake until the marshmallows toast. Doesn’t that smell amazing?
A Little Lesson in Patience
Let the pan cool a bit before you cut. I know, it’s hard to wait! But this matters. It lets the chocolate set just enough. Then you get a clean slice.
Serve them warm. The chocolate will be melty. The marshmallow will be soft. Do you like yours with a glass of milk or a cup of tea? I’m a tea person myself.
Your Turn to Share
Food tastes better when shared. Who will you make this for? Maybe your family, or a friend who needs a smile.
If you could add one extra thing to these, what would it be? A sprinkle of sea salt? Some peanut butter chips? I love hearing your ideas. Share them with me next time.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fudge brownie mix | 16-ounce package | |
| Vegetable oil | ½ cup | |
| Eggs | 2 large | |
| Water | 3 tablespoons | |
| Graham crackers | 6 crackers | broken into 1-inch pieces |
| Miniature marshmallows | 1 ½ cups | |
| Milk chocolate bars | 8 (1.5-ounce) bars | coarsely chopped |
Instructions
Step 1: First, get your oven nice and toasty. Turn it to 350°F. Grease your 9×13 pan well. I use a little butter on a paper towel. This makes sure nothing sticks. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?
Step 2: Now, let’s make the brownie batter. Mix the brownie box stuff, oil, eggs, and water in a bowl. Stir until it’s all smooth and shiny. Pour it into your greased pan. Spread it out evenly with a spoon. (A hot tip: scrape the bowl clean with a rubber spatula!)
Step 3: Bake the brownies for just 15 minutes. They won’t be done yet! This is the secret step. It gives us a firm base for our topping. While they bake, toss the graham pieces, marshmallows, and chocolate in a bowl. What’s your favorite part of a s’more? Share below!
Step 4: Carefully pull the pan from the oven. Sprinkle your s’mores mix all over the top. Be generous! Pop it back in the oven. Bake for 7-10 more minutes. The marshmallows will get puffy and golden. I still laugh at how magical that looks.
Step 5: Let the pan cool on the counter. Wait a few minutes before you cut. This keeps the squares neat. Serve them warm for gooey chocolate. Or let them cool completely. Either way, they are pure happiness on a plate.
Creative Twists
You can make this recipe your own. Try a fun twist next time. It keeps cooking exciting. Here are three of my favorites.
Use peppermint chocolate bars for a festive holiday flavor. It’s like a candy cane in your brownie!
Swap in peanut butter cups instead of plain chocolate. You get a sweet and salty surprise.
Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top after baking. It makes all the flavors pop wonderfully.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
These brownies are a treat all by themselves. But sometimes, I like to dress them up. A little extra touch makes it special. It feels like a party.
Serve a square with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold and warm mix is perfect. You could also add a dollop of whipped cream. For a drink, a glass of cold milk is classic. For the grown-ups, a small glass of cream sherry pairs nicely. It’s sweet and cozy. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your S’mores Brownie Log Fresh
Let’s talk about keeping these treats yummy. Cool them completely first. Then, cover the pan tightly with foil. They will stay good on the counter for two days. For longer storage, slice and freeze them.
Place slices in a single layer on a tray. Freeze for an hour. Then stack them in a freezer bag. They keep for a month! To reheat, just warm a slice in the microwave for 15 seconds.
I once sent a whole pan to a neighbor. She froze half for a surprise treat later. Batch cooking means joy is always ready. It matters for busy weeks. A sweet bite can turn a day around.
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Brownie Hiccups
Sometimes our baking has little troubles. Here are easy fixes. First, if your marshmallows burn, cover the pan with foil. This shields them while the brownies finish cooking.
Second, if the middle seems gooey, bake a few minutes more. Check with a toothpick near the edge. I remember when my grandson loved the gooey part best! Third, if your chocolate pieces sink, toss them in a bit of flour first.
This helps them stay on top. Fixing small issues builds your kitchen confidence. It also makes sure every bite tastes just right. Good flavor is worth a small extra step.
Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use a gluten-free brownie mix and gluten-free graham crackers.
Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Absolutely. Bake it a day before. Add the topping just before serving.
Q: What are easy ingredient swaps?
A: Use dark chocolate bars instead of milk. Try large marshmallows cut in half.
Q: Can I make a smaller batch?
A: You can halve the recipe. Use an 8×8 inch pan. Watch the baking time.
Q: Any optional tips?
A: A pinch of sea salt on top is lovely. Fun fact: The first s’mores recipe was in a 1927 Girl Scout guide!
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love making this festive log. It always makes my kitchen smell wonderful. The best part is sharing it with people you love.
I would be so pleased to hear about your baking adventure. Tell me all about it in the comments below. Your stories are my favorite thing to read.
Have you tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you. Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn.
S mores Brownie Christmas Log
Description
A festive and decadent dessert combining rich fudge brownies with classic s’mores toppings of graham crackers, marshmallows, and milk chocolate.
Ingredients
Brownie Base:
S’mores Topping:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the fudge brownie mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and water. Stir until the batter is smooth and fully blended. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula. Bake for 15 minutes to partially set the brownies.
- While the brownies are baking, place the graham cracker pieces into a medium bowl. Add the miniature marshmallows and the chopped milk chocolate. Toss gently to combine the ingredients.
- Remove the partially baked brownies from the oven. Sprinkle the prepared topping evenly over the surface of the brownies. Return the baking dish to the oven and continue baking for an additional 7 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted 2 inches from the pan’s edge comes out clean and the marshmallows are lightly toasted.
- Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for several minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For best results, cut with a plastic knife or a knife dipped in hot water for cleaner slices through the gooey marshmallows and chocolate.