Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars

We are back from an amazing vacation in Italy where we trekked around Rome and ate and drank our way through Tuscany! There will be a lot more about the trip to come…

For now, I was in need of a quick and easy (but tasty!) dessert for Family Dinner so I decided to make these Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars. I was in the mood for a cookie/bar type dessert- something everyone could eat out of their hands while we gathered around the TV to look at pictures from our trip! Plus, the marshmallow/chocolate combination made me think of s’mores and therefore an appropriate homage to the final days of summer. I found this recipe on one of my new favorite food blogs Culinary Concoctions by Peabody. The great recipes, witty life musings and gorgeous photographs make this one of my favorite sites (ahem… see new feature to the right- “My Favorite Websites”). I adapted her recipe by using boxed brownie mix (gasp!) since I was in a pinch for time. I couldn’t taste the difference!

Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars

adapted from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Brownie Ingredients: (I used Betty Crocker Triple Fudge Brownie Mix)
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, divided
1 ¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Topping Ingredients:
7 ounces mini marshmallows
1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup Jif peanut butter
1 TBSP unsalted butter
1 ½ cups Rice Krispies

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (I used a 9X9 inch pan). Make brownies according to directions on the box… OR…..

In a medium saucepan, melt the chocolate, butter, and ¾ cup of the semisweet chocolate chips on medium heat. Stir occasionally while melting. Set aside and cool for 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, place the eggs and whisk thoroughly. Add in the sugar and vanilla. 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. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and even with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the corner of the pan comes out with moist crumbs.

Remove the brownies from the oven, and immediately sprinkle the marshmallows over them. Return the pan to the oven for 3 more minutes. While the brownies are baking, place the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat, add the cereal, and mix well. Allow this to cool for 3 minutes. Spread the mixture evenly over the marshmallow layer. Refrigerate until chilled before cutting. Makes 12 3×3-inch bars or 9 large bars!