After years of perfecting this recipe at weekend bake sales and family gatherings, I'm excited to share our favorite smores brownies with you! This dessert combines the nostalgic flavor of campfire smores with the rich decadence of fudgy brownies - a combination that's gotten rave reviews from both kids and adults alike.
Why You'll Love These Smores Brownies
After making these smores brownies for countless school bake sales and neighborhood gatherings, I can tell you exactly why they disappear faster than any other dessert on the table. These brownies perfectly capture the nostalgic campfire experience with none of the sticky fingers or mosquito bites!
What makes these treats truly special is the perfect balance of textures in every bite. The fudgy, rich brownie base provides a decadent chocolate foundation, while the pockets of melted chocolate and marshmallow create those magical gooey moments that define the s'mores experience. The graham cracker pieces maintain their crunch, adding that essential textural contrast that makes your taste buds dance.
Beyond being delicious, these brownies are incredibly practical for busy families. They transport beautifully to picnics and potlucks without the mess of traditional s'mores. Max loves bringing them to school celebrations, proudly telling his friends, "These are my grandma's special recipe!" They're also make-ahead friendly, actually tasting better the day after baking as the flavors meld together.
Perhaps most importantly, these treats bring people together just like campfire s'mores do, but in any season and any weather. There's something about the familiar combination of chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers that creates instant smiles and shared memories. As one neighbor put it after trying Mom's special version, "I didn't think you could improve on a classic, but these brownies just proved me wrong!"
Jump to:
Smores Brownies Ingredients
For the Graham Cracker Base:
- Graham crackers
- Melted butter
- Brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
For the Fudgy Brownie Layer:
- Boxed brownie mix
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Water
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Vanilla extract
For the Marshmallow Magic:
- Mini marshmallows
- Milk chocolate bars
- Extra graham cracker pieces for topping
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Smores Brownies
Creating the Perfect Graham Cracker Base:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (Max's job: setting the timer for preheating)
- Line a 9x13 baking pan with foil, leaving some overhang for easy lifting
- Crush graham crackers until they're fine crumbs (Max's favorite step!)
- Mix graham crumbs with melted butter, brown sugar, and salt
- Press firmly into the pan (Max tip: "Use the bottom of a measuring cup!")
- Bake for 5-7 minutes until it smells toasty and turns slightly golden
The Brownie Magic:
- While the crust bakes, prepare brownie mix according to package directions
- Add an extra egg and the vanilla extract (Max: "This makes them super fudgy!")
- Fold in chocolate chips (Max's job: counting out exactly 27 chips to sprinkle on top)
- Pour batter over the baked graham crust
- Bake for about 25 minutes until nearly done (toothpick should have moist crumbs)
The S'mores Transformation:
- Remove brownies from oven but keep the oven on
- Immediately sprinkle mini marshmallows over the hot surface
- Tuck chocolate bar pieces between marshmallows (Max's artistic arrangement)
- Sprinkle with crushed graham cracker pieces
- Return to oven for 3 minutes until marshmallows puff up
- Switch to broiler for 1-2 minutes for that golden finish (Max's job: watching through the oven window yelling "Now!" when they're perfect)
Substitutions
Graham Base Options:
- Graham crackers → Digestive biscuits
- Regular → Gluten-free grahams
- Honey grahams → Chocolate grahams
- Whole crackers → Pre-made graham crust
Brownie Mix Swaps:
- Box mix → Homemade brownie batter
- Regular mix → Dark chocolate mix
- Vegetable oil → Applesauce (half the amount)
- Plain mix → Chunk-filled brownie mix
Marshmallow Alternatives:
- Mini marshmallows → Cut large marshmallows
- Standard → Marshmallow fluff
- Plain → Flavored marshmallows
- Mini → Vegan marshmallows
Chocolate Variations:
- Milk chocolate → Dark chocolate
- Chocolate bars → Chocolate chips
- Plain chocolate → Caramel-filled
- Regular → Dairy-free chocolate
Smores Brownies Variations
Birthday Bash S'mores Brownies
- Add colorful sprinkles to the graham cracker crust
- Use white chocolate brownie mix
- Mix rainbow sprinkles into marshmallow layer
- Top with more sprinkles after broiling
Peanut Butter Dream
- Add ¼ cup peanut butter to brownie batter
- Substitute Reese's pieces for some of the chocolate chips
- Tuck mini peanut butter cups between marshmallows
- Drizzle with melted peanut butter after cooling
Mint Chocolate Campfire
- Use chocolate graham crackers
- Add ¼ teaspoon mint extract to brownie mix
- Top with Andes mints instead of chocolate bars
- Sprinkle with crushed chocolate cookies
Equipment For Smores Brownies
Essential Equipment:
- 9x13 baking dish (glass works best)
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Mixing bowls (medium and large)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Ziplock bag for crushing crackers
- Rolling pin or heavy glass
- Kitchen timer
Helpful But Optional:
- Food processor for graham crackers
- Offset spatula for spreading
- Kitchen scissors for cutting marshmallows
- Wire cooling rack
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Pastry brush for greasing
Storage Tips
Counter Storage (1-2 days):
- Cool completely
- Store in airtight container
- Place parchment between layers
- Keep away from direct sunlight
- Best eaten within 48 hours
Refrigerator (3-4 days):
- Cool completely
- Cover with foil, not plastic
- Bring to room temperature before serving
- Microwave 10 seconds to restore gooey texture
- Marshmallow will become chewier
Freezer (1-2 months):
- Cut into individual portions
- Wrap each piece in foil
- Store in freezer-safe container
- Label with date
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator
Mother's Special Touch
My mother had a magical way with desserts that made even the simplest treats feel special. Her smores brownies were legendary in our neighborhood, not because she invented the concept, but because of her unique approach that transformed them from good to unforgettable.
While most recipes call for simply topping smores brownies with marshmallows and graham crackers, Mom had a different method. She would bake her rich, fudgy brownies just until they were almost done, then remove them from the oven. Working quickly, she'd create small wells in the still-soft batter using the back of a measuring spoon. Into each depression, she'd place a small piece of chocolate and a tiny scoop of marshmallow fluff rather than regular marshmallows.
"The secret is in the layers," she'd explain, sprinkling crushed graham crackers over the top before returning the pan to the oven for the final few minutes of baking. This technique created pockets of melted chocolate and gooey marshmallow throughout the smores brownies instead of just on top, ensuring every bite had that perfect smores brownies flavor combination.
But her true genius was in her finishing touch. After removing the smores brownies from the oven, she'd lightly brush the tops with a mixture of honey and vanilla extract while they were still warm. This created a subtle shine and added an aromatic quality that made everyone ask, "What is that amazing smell?" The honey also helped the final sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs adhere perfectly, giving every bite that authentic campfire s'mores crunch.
Top Tip
The difference between merely good and truly extraordinary smores brownies comes down to techniques we've perfected through years of weekend baking sessions. When I first started making these with Max when he was just five, our early attempts were delicious but inconsistent - sometimes the crust would crumble apart, other times the marshmallows would burn while the chocolate remained firm. After countless batches (and Max's increasingly sophisticated taste-testing feedback), we've unlocked the secrets that make these treats unforgettable.
For the graham cracker base, timing is absolutely crucial. We discovered that pre-baking for exactly 8 minutes creates that perfect balance - any less and the crust stays too soft, making the smores brownies difficult to serve; any longer and it becomes too brittle and tastes slightly burnt. One Sunday afternoon, while making these for Max's grandparents' visit, I accidentally added a pinch of salt to the graham mixture. What seemed like a mistake turned out to be genius - that tiny hint of salt magnificently enhances the sweetness without making it taste salty at all.
Ready to Create Some Campfire Magic!
Now you have all our hard-earned secrets for making the perfect smores brownies! This dessert has become our signature treat for everything from school bake sales to summer pool parties. There's something magical about watching everyone's face light up at that first bite - when they experience those perfect layers of crisp graham crust, fudgy brownie middle, and toasted marshmallow top all working together in harmony.
Looking for more crowd-pleasing desserts that won't keep you in the kitchen all day? Try our Easy No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Recipe that's perfect for summer gatherings, or our Easy Pistachio Tiramisu: A 30-Minute twist on the Italian classic. For something truly special, our Easy Tiramisu Cupcakes: The Perfect Bite-Sized Italian treats are always a hit at parties!
Share your smores brownie success stories with us! and don't forget to rate this recipe if it brings a little campfire magic to your family's table. As Max would say, "Happy brownie baking, friends!"
FAQ
What can I make with a boxed brownie mix?
Besides these amazing smores brownies, you can transform a boxed mix into brownie cookies, brownie cake pops, brownie trifle, or add mix-ins like nuts, caramel bits, or flavored chips. The versatility of boxed mixes makes them a pantry staple for quick, creative desserts that taste homemade with a few simple tweaks.
How to jazz up a box of brownies?
My favorite ways to elevate boxed smores brownies include adding an extra egg yolk for fudginess, swapping water for coffee to deepen chocolate flavor, mixing in flavor extracts (mint, almond, or orange), or incorporating surprise fillings like cream cheese swirls or peanut butter ribbons. For our s'mores brownies, the graham crust and marshmallow topping transform a simple mix into something spectacular.
How to add cream cheese to boxed brownies?
For a cream cheese swirl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with ⅓ cup sugar and 1 egg until smooth. Pour most of your brownie batter into the pan, dollop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top, add remaining brownie batter, then swirl with a knife. This works beautifully with our s'mores brownie base if you're looking for a cheesecake twist on the classic recipe.
What does adding an extra egg to brownie mix do?
Adding a whole extra egg makes brownies more cake-like, while just an extra yolk (our preferred method) creates fudgier, richer brownies without changing the texture too drastically. The extra fat in the yolk adds moisture and richness that takes boxed mix from good to gourmet. For s'mores brownies, that fudgy texture perfectly complements the crisp graham base and fluffy marshmallow top.
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Smores Brownies
Smores Brownies
Equipment
- 9x13 baking dish (Glass preferred)
- Aluminum foil (Or parchment paper, for lining)
- Mixing bowls (Medium and large)
- Measuring cup set (Max’s tip: great for pressing crust)
- Rubber spatula
- Ziplock bag (For crushing graham crackers)
- Rolling pin (Or heavy glass)
- Kitchen timer
- Broiler or oven (For marshmallow browning)
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Base:
- 1.5 cups Graham cracker crumbs - Honey-flavored best
- 6 tablespoon Butter - Melted ,salted preferred
- 2 tablespoon Brown sugar - Light or dark
- 1 pinch Salt - Enhances flavor
Brownie Layer:
- 1 box Brownie mix - Fudgy style preferred
- 3 Eggs - 1 extra for fudgy texture
- ½ cup Vegetable oil - Or use half amount applesauce
- ¼ cup Water - Substitute coffee for depth
- ½ cup Chocolate chips - Semi-sweet recommended
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract - Adds warmth
Marshmallow & Topping:
- 2 cups Mini marshmallows - Or cut large ones
- 2 bars Milk chocolate - Broken into pieces
- ¼ cup Graham cracker pieces - For topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a 9x13 pan with foil, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs.
- Mix crumbs with melted butter, brown sugar, and salt.
- Press mixture evenly into the pan.
- Bake for 5–7 minutes, until toasty and slightly golden.
- Prepare brownie mix per package instructions.
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