I had a dinner party last night for some serious foodies. I thought about making all sorts of fancy desserts but after watching countless episodes of Top Chef, I know that sometimes people want something simple that takes them back to their childhood. When I found this recipe for s’mores brownies, I knew it was perfect. Too bad Anel and I devoured them like children off to summer camp for the first time the night before when I baked them…

Makes about 20 brownies.

Ingredients:
Brownies
-1/3 cup cocoa powder
-1/2 cup plus 2 tblspns boiling water
-2 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
-4 tblspns (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
-1/2 cup plus 2 tblspns vegetable oil
-2 large eggs
-2 large egg yolks
-2 tspns vanilla extract
-2.5 cups organic cane sugar
-1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
-3/4 tspn salt
-6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Graham Cracker Crust
-3 cups graham cracker crumbs
-1/4 cup granulated sugar
-1/4 tspn salt
-3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Topping
-1 bag mini marshmallows
-Extra graham crackers, broken into small pieces

Directions:
Crust
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Butter a 9×13-inch baking pan, line the pan with foil, leaving some overhang, and then butter the foil
-Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and salt, mixing well
-Add the melted butter and, using a fork, toss until the entire mixture is moist
-Dump the graham cracker mixture into the prepared baking pan, pressing it into an even layer
-Bake for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown

Brownies
-Meanwhile prepare brownies (see below)
-Whisk together cocoa powder, and boiling water together in large bowl until smooth
-Add semi-sweet chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted
-Whisk in melted butter and oil (Mixture may look curdled)
-Add eggs, yolks, and vanilla and continue to whisk until smooth
-Whisk in sugar until fully incorporated
-Add flour and salt and mix with rubber spatula until combined
-Fold in bittersweet chocolate pieces
-Pour the brownie batter over the cooked graham cracker crust, spreading it into an even layer
-Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted halfway between edge and center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached

Topping
-As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, switch the oven to broil
-Pour the bag of mini marshmallows onto the brownies, covering it in an even layer
-Put the pan back in the oven for a few minutes so that they char but do not burn. Watch closely!
-As soon as you take the pan out of the oven, top the marshmallow layer with the pieces of graham cracker, pressing down slightly
-Cool completely and then cut into squares
-Enjoy!