S'mores Snack Cake

I don't like camping, but I do enjoy sitting around the campfire.  Eating s'mores is the epitome of lazy summer nights spent beside the fire.  But then winter comes, the campfires go away, and I'm left without s'mores. (They CAN be made in the microwave, by the way!)  This recipe combines moist chocolate cake with the flavors of a s'more for a wonderful taste of summer anytime of the year.

Here's what you'll need:
6 whole graham crackers
1 2/3 c flour
1 c packed brown sugar
1/4 c cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c water
1/3 c vegetable oil
1 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 c miniature marshmallows

Heat oven to 350.  Grease a 9-inch square pan.  Lay the graham crackers in the bottom, breaking to fit.

Sift together the flour cocoa baking soda and salt.  Stir in the sugar.  Set aside.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla.

Make a hole in the dry ingredients; pour in the wet mixture and stir well.

Stir in 1/2 c of the chocolate chips.

Spread over the graham crackers.   Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, until the center is set and the edges begin to pull away from the pan.

Remove from the oven.  Sprinkle with the marshmallows and remaining chocolate chips.

Put back into the oven for 2-3 minutes, just until the chocolate is starting to melt.  Cool completely on a wire rack.

Cut into 16 squares when completely cool.  Wet your knife-- it will help keep the marshmallow from sticking to it as you cut.

Store in an airtight container IF you have any left.

Enjoy!

S'mores brownies

It's a well-known fact that I hate camping.  Why would I want to sleep on the hard ground, fighting off bugs, when I have a perfectly comfy bed at home?  But I do like camp food.  Especially s'mores. I've even been known to make them in the microwave.  Then a friend gave me this brownie recipe, and I fell in love. They're full of all the things that make s'mores so irresistible, and an easy way to bring summertime in the house on a cold winter's day.

Here's what you'll need:
1 box fudge brownie mix, 9x13 size, plus ingredients to make "fudgy" brownies
1 sleeve graham crackers
1 c mini marshmallows
1/2 c mini chocolate chips
1/2 c chopped peanuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray 9x13 pan with cookie spray.

Line pan with graham crackers, breaking to fit, if necessary.  Set aside.

Mix brownie batter using directions on the box.  Carefully spread over the graham crackers in the pan.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, until mostly set, but still a little wet in the center.  Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the marshmallows.

Then sprinkle with the chocolate chips and peanuts, if using.

Bake an additional 8-10 minutes, until marshmallows begin to brown, and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before serving.  To make it easier to cut, spray the knife with non-stick cooking spray, or frequently run under cold water.

Enjoy!