Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars

October 5, 2009

marshmallow-crunch-bars

I had originally planned on using the title “Marshmallow Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crunch Brownie Bars”. That seems mighty long, but is truly the best description of these bars, and they are absolutely phenomenal. Imagine this: rich, decadent brownies. Topped with ooey, gooey marshmallows. Topped again with chocolate-peanut butter-Rice Krispy deliciousness. Folks, you just can’t get much better than these bars. Part brownie, part s’more, and part Rice Krispy treat. It’s everything you know and love, baked up into one amazing dessert.

marshmallow-crunch-bars-single

It seems insane to think that there is any way that you can improve on these bars, but I do think there is one thing I will do differently next time: I plan on cutting the quantities for the brownie layer in half. As they are, the brownie layer is about twice as thick as the marshmallow and crisp layers, and I think these would be even more awesome if all of the layers were about equal in size. I also think that taking the chocolate/peanut butter/Rice Krispy topping and using it to make an entire pan of Chocolate-Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats would be heavenly. Stay tuned, because that will likely be happening very, very soon. I do have more Rice Krispies left over and, well, that seems like a perfect way to use them up!

You’ll want to hurry up and make these immediately. All of your family and friends will love you forever.

More brownies with a twist:
Chipster-Topped Brownies
Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Brownies
Samoas Brownies

1 year ago: Homemade Pierogies
2 years ago: Outrageous Brownies

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Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars

Yield: 24 bars

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

For the Brownie Base:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cup unsalted butter
1¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Toppings:
1 bag (10½ ounces) miniature marshmallows
1½ cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup smooth peanut butter (don't use natural peanut butter)
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
1½ cups Rice Krispies cereal

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch pan.

2. For the brownies: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsweetened chocolate, butter and ¾ cup of the semisweet chocolate chips over medium heat. Stir occasionally while melting. Set aside and cool for 5 minutes.

3. In a medium bowl sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl , whisk the eggs thoroughly. Add the sugar and vanilla and whisk until well blended. Stir the melted ingredients into the egg mixture, mixing well. Stir in the dry sifted ingredients and mix well. Fold in the remaining ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the corner of of the pan comes out with moist crumbs.

5. Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately sprinkle the marshmallows over them. Return the pan to the oven for 3 more minutes.

6. Meanwhile, place the milk chocolate chips, peanut butter, and tablespoon of butter in a medium saucepan. Melt over low heat, stirring constantly, until completely melted. Remove from heat, add the Rice Krispies and mix well. Allow to cool for 3 minutes.

7. Spread the mixture evenly over the marshmallow layer. Refrigerate until chilled before cutting.

(Adapted from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody; originally from Buttercup Bakes at Home by Jennifer Appel)