Smores Brownie Bites

Some of our best recipes come from our family and friends. And this one is no exception.

 

Destiny has been our friend for years. She's one of those friends that we can spend months away from, see her one day, and pick up right where we left off. She's an amazing friend and an amazing hairstylist. And an amazing baker. After you make these brownies, you'll see why.

 

I finally got the chance to make Destiny's brownies, but I wanted to do something different for a co-worker's birthday. This particular coworker is a bit of an outdoorsy girl, so smores seemed so perfect.

 

After you've made the crust and you've put it in each cup, you need to find something to press it down. I found my rolling pin worked great. For pie pans or larger pans, a glass works well.

 

 

After baking the crust and letting it cool slightly, fill with the brownie batter. If your kids don't eat it all first. Which almost happened at my house! It's so good!

Smores Brownie Bites
by Girls in Aprons

Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 sheets)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), melted

Brownie (courtesy Destiny Rayburn):
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup oil (or applesauce for a healthier version)
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt

Marshmallow frosting (courtesy Martha Stewart):
8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For crust, mix graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, and butter together in a large bowl. Pour 1 Tbsp mix into each cup of a greased mini muffin tin (you will have leftovers). Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.

For brownies, in a large bowl, using an electric mixer, mix together the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and oil together. Add in cocoa powder, flour, and salt and mix until well incorporated and there are no lumps. Pour 1 heaping Tablespoon batter into each muffin cup. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Do not remove from pan.

For frosting, add egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined. Transfer to a frosting bag fitted with a large tip. Swirl frosting onto each brownie and place under a broiler until frosting has browned, about 2-3 minutes (keep an eye on it!!!).

**You'll have extra crust, batter, and frosting. You can either make a second batch or make a second dish made from a 8- or 9-inch pie pan following the same instructions and bake for about 20-25 minutes. You can also make a large brownie dish (omit the mini brownies) in a 9x13-inch pan.