Nov 4, 2009

S'Mores ! Brownie Bars

We have only  real  s'mores once a year, as a satisfyingly gooey finale to a lobster bake on a  deserted Maine island.  While there's nothing to compare to making them over a  roaring beach  fire,   this is  an equally delicious way to enjoy  them  indoors with  less mess and more chew..

Many years ago my friend Becki brought the   recipe back from a family reunion.  By the time she shared it with me a week later, she confessed  she'd made it several times, and and I'd be embarassed to tell you how many times I made it that week, too.  The graham crackers bake right into the chocolate crust, and another layer of hardened chocolate rests under the marshmallows for a satisying bite of gooey goodness..


Heat oven to 325 F . Grease and flour a 9x13 pan. In a large bowl combine 1 devils food cake mix, 1/3 c . graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 c firmly packed brown sugar, 1/4 c softened- not melted -  margarine, 1/2 c water, 2 eggs.  no need to use a mixer.  Spread into the  pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, until a toothpick in center comes out cleanly.

Remove from the oven, turn oven to Broil, and immediately cover  the cake layer  with 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips and 2 c miniature marshmallows. Broil about 8" from broiler until marshmallows are puffed and starting to turn golden. Remove from the oven and sprinkle a  few graham crumbs over them.  Cool completely. Once it's fairly cool you can hasten the progress and harden up the chocolate for easier cutting by popping the pan in the freezer or fridge.  Store  in the refrigerator until you cut and serve.   Chilling completely until that layer of chocolate is firm will make a world of difference when you cut them....it will be a sticky task unless it's hard, but when solid it will  slice easily. 

The bars don't need to be refrigerated,  I think they taste best cold.  Cut in small squares to serve.

...mmmmmm...I  believe I'll have s'more of those, please!