Recipe: S'mores Brownies Using our Cocoa Mix

My sister and I were all set to hang out by the bonfire, toesies toasty warm, roasting marshmallows, when BOOM! A huge thunderstorm ruined our outdoor plans. We made our way inside, a bit dejected, and a bit wet. After a brief costume change, we found ourselves in the kitchen, craving something sweet -- we never did get to enjoy our s’mores! A quick rummage through the pantry, and s’mores brownies were created.

S’Mores Brownies

Yield: 9 brownies

Ingredients:

For the Brownies

• 8 ounces (½ Cup) Salted Butter
• 6 ounces (1 cup) Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips, divided
• ¼ cup Sugar
• 1 tsp Espresso Powder (or instant coffee)
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 2 large Eggs
• ¼ cup Flour, all purpose
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• ¾ cup XO Marshmallow Gourmet Double Dark Hot Cocoa Mix

For the Chocolate Ganache

• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp butter
• 2 Tbsp. XO Marshmallow Gourmet Double Dark Hot Cocoa Mix

For the Topping

• 1 cup crushed graham crackers (about 6-7 graham crackers)
• 9 Vanilla marshmallows

Preparation: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 8x8 baking pan and line with parchment coming up and over all four sides of the pan. 
2. Grab a medium microwave safe bowl and add in the butter and ¾ cups of the chocolate chips. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each session, until fully melted.
3. Add sugar, vanilla, and espresso powder to the melted chocolate, and stir until smooth.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time into the mixture.
5. Add in the flour, baking powder, and XO Cocoa Mix, stirring until just combined. (Don't overmix batter!) Fold in the remaining ¼ c chocolate chips. 
6. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly in the 8x8” baking pan. 
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check Brownies at 20 minutes as oven times may vary. Brownies will be done when you insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out with a few moist crumbs. 
8. Meanwhile, make the ganache by melting the ingredients in na large microwavable bowl -- stirring every 30 seconds. Let sit until it becomes a slightly thicker consistency. 
9. Let brownies cool for a few minutes before drizzling the ganache over the top. Then, add crushed graham crackers, and top with vanilla marshmallows, spacing them out evenly across the brownies. 
10. Throw the pan back into the oven for a few minutes to brown the marshmallows, or use a small handheld kitchen torch to toast the marshmallows. Then, allow the brownies to cool completely before digging in. Enjoy!

Note: We recommend serving these brownies right away to fully enjoy the ooey gooey marshmallows. If you'd like, you can wait until you're ready to serve to add the marshmallows and toast them.