Imagine sinking your teeth into a decadent Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bar layered with gooey marshmallow, rich brownie, and a delightful crispy chocolate topping. These bars are a dream come true for dessert lovers like me who adore that perfect balance of crunchy and soft in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Triple Layer Delight: Each bite captures the trifecta of chewy brownie, fluffy marshmallow, and crispy chocolate.
- Easy to Make: With a boxed brownie mix as the base, it’s a hassle-free treat.
- Customizable: You can tweak the recipe easily to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a party or a quiet night in, these bars are a hit!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for these Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bars feels like setting up for an art project. Each element is simple yet crucial, contributing a unique layer to the taste and texture landscape of this scrumptious dessert.
- 18.4-ounce package Pillsbury™ Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix: The backbone of the bars, offering a rich, fudgy base.
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil: Creates a moist texture and a tender crumb.
- ¼ cup water: Just the right amount to blend everything smoothly.
- 2 eggs: Binding agents that help give structure and richness.
- 12-ounce container Pillsbury™ Vanilla Marshmallow Fluffy Frost™: Provides that irresistible gooey layer you’ll love.
- 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips: Melts perfectly for the crunchy topping.
- 1 cup peanut butter: Add a creamy texture and a slight nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
- 1 tablespoon butter: Adds a glossy finish to the topping.
- 1 ½ cups crisp rice cereal: A surprise crunch that levels up the texture game entirely.
Variations
Looking to put your own twist on these fabulous Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bars? It’s super simple to customize these bars to suit your specific tastes, diet, or to simply experiment with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
- Nuts Dressing: Sprinkle some chopped almonds or walnuts into the topping mix for a nutty crunch.
- Dietary Needs: Swap out regular marshmallow frosting for a vegan version to cater to dietary restrictions.
- Flavored Peanut Butter: Use honey or cinnamon-flavored peanut butter for a unique taste twist.
How to Make Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bars
Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Base
Following the package directions on the Pillsbury™ Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix, combine it with vegetable oil, water, and eggs. Pour the mixture into a 13- x 9-inch pan and bake until perfectly done. The aroma will fill your kitchen with chocolate’s warm embrace. Let it cool for an hour to form the firm foundation of our glorious bars.
Step 2: Marshmallow Magic
Once your brownies are cooled, gently spread the luscious Vanilla Marshmallow Fluffy Frost™ atop the brownie layer. This step transforms the brownie into a heavenly delight, with each scoop of marshmallow frosting adding an irresistible gooeyness.
Step 3: Crunchy Topping
For the grand finale, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter over low heat in a saucepan. Stir until smooth and well combined. Add in the crisp rice cereal, mixing quickly to maintain that crunch. Spread this mixture across the marshmallow layer, and let it chill until set. With these finishing touches, you’ll have crafted a layered masterpiece.
Pro Tips for Making Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bars
- Optimum Cooling: Ensure your brownie base is completely cooled before spreading the marshmallow to prevent it from melting.
- Chill Before Slicing: Allow the bars to chill completely before cutting; it helps in getting those neat, professional-looking squares.
- Peanut Butter Selection: Use creamy peanut butter for a smoother topping spread.
- Uniform Topping Spread: A spatula works wonders in getting the chocolate topping even and smooth over the marshmallow.
How to Serve Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bars
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, drizzle a bit of caramel sauce or sprinkle with a touch of sea salt prior to serving. This not only boosts the visual appeal but also heightens the flavor complexity.
Side Dishes
Pair these delightful Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent treat that’s perfect for any dessert table.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving these bars on a colorful dessert platter, or place each bar in a decorative cupcake liner for a neat, single-serve approach. You can also stack them in pretty tiers for a show-stopping centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftovers fresh by storing them in an airtight container. They stay deliciously soft and crunchy at room temperature for up to three days.
Freezing
You can freeze these bars for up to three months. Simply wrap them in plastic wrap before placing in a freezer-safe bag or container, ensuring peak freshness upon thawing.
Reheating
To reheat, just let them sit out at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly without losing any crunch from the topping.
FAQs
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Can I use a different brownie mix?
Absolutely! Feel free to use whichever brownie mix you prefer, but keep an eye on the baking time as it may vary slightly.
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What if I don’t have marshmallow frosting?
If you don’t have marshmallow frosting on hand, whipped marshmallow cream offers a delightful substitute and yields similar results.
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How can I make this recipe nut-free?
Simply omit the peanut butter or replace it with a nut-free butter alternative, such as sunflower seed butter, to keep the taste lovely yet safe for those with nut allergies.
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Why didn’t my bars set properly?
If your bars didn’t set, ensure you’ve chilled them thoroughly before slicing. Warm weather or a warm kitchen might require a bit more chilling time.
Final Thoughts
These Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bars are an indulgent treat that never fails to impress. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new in the kitchen, you’ll enjoy the ease and impressive results of this recipe. Give them a try, and I’m sure they’ll become one of your favorites too!
Print
Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 20 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These decadent Brownie Marshmallow Crunch Bars combine fudgy brownie layers with sweet marshmallow frosting, topped with a crunchy chocolate-peanut butter rice cereal topping. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, they are easy to make and ideal for sharing at gatherings.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 18.4 ounce package Pillsbury™ Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 eggs
Marshmallow Frosting
- 12 ounce container Pillsbury™ Vanilla Marshmallow Fluffy Frost™
Topping
- 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal
Instructions
- Prepare the Brownie Layer: Follow the package directions to combine the brownie mix with vegetable oil, water, and eggs. Pour the batter into a greased 13×9-inch baking pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about an hour.
- Apply Marshmallow Frosting: Spread the Pillsbury Vanilla Marshmallow Fluffy Frost evenly over the cooled brownie layer, smoothing it out with a spatula.
- Make the Crunch Topping: In a small saucepan, combine the semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and melted. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the crisp rice cereal until evenly coated.
- Assemble the Bars: Immediately spoon the chocolate-peanut butter rice cereal mixture over the marshmallow frosting layer. Gently spread it out to form an even layer. Chill the entire pan in the refrigerator until the topping is set, about 1-2 hours.
- Serve: Let the bars sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing into 20 squares. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure the brownie layer is completely cooled before adding the frosting to prevent melting.
- Chill the bars thoroughly for a clean cut and better texture.
- Feel free to add chopped nuts or additional toppings for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (about 40g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
