Completely from scratch s’mores brownie cupcakes feature a thick graham cracker crust, undeniably fudgy brownie center, and toasty marshmallow frosting. With so much texture in each bite, these cupcakes are an experience to savor!
National S’mores Day, August 10th, is not a holiday to take lightly. I’m bringing you sweatpants-necessary s’mores brownie cupcakes complete with a toasty marshmallow topping because it’s not a s’more unless it’s toasty.
These S’mores Brownie Cupcakes Are:
- Everything we love about s’mores in cupcake form
- Easier to make than you think
- Ultra decadent and chocolatey
- Made using my chewy fudgy frosted brownies batter
- Topped with homemade marshmallow creme
- Great for summer potlucks, picnics, and BBQs
- Always a crowd pleaser!
3 Parts to S’mores Brownie Cupcakes
While they may look daunting, today’s s’mores brownie cupcakes combine 3 simple recipes in a brand new way. Let’s review each component.
- Graham Cracker Crust: You only need 3 ingredients to make graham cracker crust—graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter. Combine these and press the mixture into cupcake liners. No need to pre-bake this crust as the time in the oven with the brownie on top is plenty. My #1 tip: make sure you really press that crust down. Make it nice and tight.
- Homemade Brownies: We use my beloved chewy fudgy frosted brownies batter made from all familiar and convenient ingredients like cocoa powder, flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. Nothing fancy or complicated, just rich and fudgy decadence. I slightly simplified the recipe (using all white sugar and a little extra cocoa powder/less flour) and I love the results.
- Marshmallow Meringue: The marshmallow meringue is basically homemade marshmallow creme. It’s the same meringue used in chocolate mousse pie and peanut butter hi-hat cupcakes. It may sound intimidating, but it’s completely approachable and simple. Whisk egg whites + sugar + cream of tartar together over simmering water, then beat until fluffy peaks form. It tastes like marshmallow fluff. Without the artificial ingredients/flavorings.
Photos to guide you along:
If you have a double boiler, you can use that for the marshmallow meringue instead of this bowl + pot contraption. This is a photo of the egg whites + sugar + cream of tartar whisked together over simmering water on the stovetop.
Beaten together to form stiff peaks, just like homemade marshmallow creme!
Decorating S’mores Brownie Cupcakes
I used the Ateco #808 piping tip to pipe the marshmallow meringue frosting onto each cupcake. I really wanted it piled high on top of each! You can use any piping tip you like, or just swirl it on nice and thick with a knife. I wouldn’t use a piping tip that displays intricate designs though—the marshmallow may not hold its shape.
For that quintessential s’mores flavor, whip out your kitchen torch to toast the tops. Don’t stick the frosting under the broiler—it can easily lose its shape. But a quick flash from the torch does the toasting trick! If you wish to purchase a torch, you’ll definitely use it again when you make brownie baked Alaska and chai pumpkin meringue pie.
If you want to skip the piping and use your oven instead of kitchen torch, try this s’mores brownie pie with store bought marshmallows instead.
You can make every day National S’mores Day with all the s’mores recipe possibilities!
More Brownie Recipes
- Homemade Brownies
- Caramel Turtle Brownies
- Cookies & Cream Brownies
- Brownie Baked Alaska (can also be made as cupcakes)
- Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Mocha Cheesecake Brownies
- Nutella Brownies
S’mores Brownie Cupcakes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 18 cupcakes
- Category: Cupcakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Complete with toasted marshmallow frosting, these s’mores brownie cupcakes can’t be beat! Indulge in the best homemade brownie cupcakes.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full-sheet graham crackers)
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted
Brownies
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter
- 2 4-ounce quality semi-sweet chocolate bars (228g), coarsely chopped
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (63g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/4 cup (21g) unsweetened natural or dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Marshmallow Meringue Frosting
- 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar (do not skip!)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners. Line a 2nd 12-count muffin pan with 6 liners. (This recipe yields about 18).
- Make the crust: Using a food processor, grind the graham crackers, to yield about 1 1/2 cups crumbs. Pour into a medium bowl and stir in sugar and melted butter until combined. (You can also pulse it all together in the food processor.) Spoon 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons of crust into each cupcake liner. Press down tightly to create a tight and firm crust. Set aside. (No need to pre-bake.)
- Make the brownie cups: Melt the butter and chocolate together in a large heat-proof bowl. I microwave in 30-second increments, stopping and stirring after each until melted and smooth. Whisk in the granulated sugar. Allow to slightly cool for 5 minutes before adding the eggs. (So as not to cook the eggs!) Whisk in the eggs, vanilla, flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Batter will be thick. Spoon evenly into each cupcake liner on top of the graham cracker crusts, filling almost to the top of the liners.
- Bake brownie cups for 25–28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs (no wet batter). Keep your eye on them and check after 22 minutes or so. Mine take around 26 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in pans.
- Make the meringue: Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in a heatproof bowl. Set bowl over a saucepan filled with 2 inches of simmering water. Do not let the bowl touch the water. (You can use a double boiler if you have one.) Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes. The mixture’s temperature taken with an instant read thermometer should be 160°F (71°C). If it’s not, keep cooking and whisking until thinned out and temperature is warm enough. Remove from heat. Add the vanilla extract, then, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat on high speed for 5 minutes until stiff, glossy peaks form. You can read more about and watch me make this in my separate marshmallow meringue frosting post.
- Pipe onto cooled brownie cupcakes. I used an Ateco 808 piping tip. If desired, use a kitchen torch to lightly toast.
- Cover and store leftover cupcakes at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 1–2 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: You can make the cupcakes through step 5. Cover and store the brownie cupcakes at room temperature for up to 3 days, then continue with the meringue topping. Or freeze brownie cupcakes (prepared through step 5) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight completely, then top with marshmallow meringue frosting.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 12-count Muffin Pan | Cupcake Liners | Food Processor | Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk | Double Boiler | Instant Read Thermometer | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Ateco 808 Piping Tip | Piping Bag (Reusable or Disposable) | Kitchen Torch
- Crust for Non-US Readers: Don’t have graham crackers where you live? Use 200g ground digestive biscuits instead (about 13–14 biscuits), the same amount of butter, and add a bit more sugar (about 1/3 cup, or 67g). Or you can make an Oreo crumb crust instead: Grind 18 whole Oreos (200g) into crumbs, and combine with 60g melted butter.
Keywords: s’mores brownie cupcakes, brownie cupcakes
You will also love these soft and chewy toasted s’more chocolate chip cookies.
Really enjoyed this and I am saving the recipe! Pretty much can be made with no changes. You may find yourself with extra “frosting” if you don’t use very much, and I would encourage you to use a bit more than usual because it is not as rich and deflates slightly over time.
★★★★★
I have made these a few times and they are a big hit, so delicious! I do have a question on the frosting. The last time I made these the frosting was almost gritty and lost its shape so fast. I Heated it the same as always and whipped it until there were peaks. Any idea what happened this last time?
★★★★★
Hi Courtney, I wonder if it was the weather? Humidity can pose big problems when cooking meringue, including a weeping meringue or even a gritty texture.
Hi Sally,
I needed to make these in advance, and I was wondering if I should make this frosting, or your marshmallow buttercream instead (the one with your pumpkin cupcakes) I’m worried about the meringue losing shape overnight. Which one do you think I should do? I’d still like it to have the ‘s’mores’ flavor profile. Please help! Thank you!
Either work! The marshmallow frosting from the pumpkin spice cupcakes with marshmallow frosting is certainly more stable after storing overnight.
These were beautiful and delicious! I was especially pleased at how the marshmallow fluff frosting turned out… it was amazing. When I sent the pics to my Mom, she asked where I bought them! I didn’t have a torch, so I carefully used the flame from our stove top by tilting and rotating each cupcake until I got some light color on top… it was perfect. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Can the Smores Cupcakes be made as Mini Muffins? If so how long to bake and how many would this receipe make:)
Definitely. I’d say 11-13 minutes or until baked through (use a toothpick to test!).
How many mini cupcakes do you think this will make so I can get enough mini cups?
★★★★★
Hi Ashley! We’re unsure exactly how many mini cupcakes this recipe would make, but guess it may be around 50. Let us know if you give it a try!
I just finished making this recipe, but in a 9 inch round cake. It’s a fantastic, fluffy and delicious fantasy. I’m now the official baker of the family. Thank you for that.
Would this frosting work to cover a 9×13 single layer cake?
It should!
If I do not have a kitchen torch can I put them back in the oven with broiler on just to give them the darkened appearance?
Hi Renae, Normally I’d say you could stick the frosting under the broiler to get a toasty top but do NOT do that here… the frosting can easily lose its shape. The kitchen torch is optional so simply skip this step if you don’t have one.
Hi Sally – just made this recipe and it was amazing! Can I leave the cupcakes in a cake stand on my kitchen counter, if they are covered? Or do they need to be refrigerated?
Thank you!
Hi Courtney, I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe! You can cover and store leftover cupcakes at room temperature for 1-2 days.
Can these be adapted to make in an 8×8 pan instead of a cupcake pan?
Hi Amanda! There’s too much batter/crust for an 8-inch pan unless you halve the recipe. You can try a 9-inch square pan, but I fear that may be too small with the crust on the bottom too.
I made these for a work bake sale today, & people didn’t even believe I made these myself, that’s how AMAZING they were! I followed the recipe to a T, doubled it for the bake sale, & they came out perfect! And a kitchen torch is a MUST! This recipe is honestly very easy to make if you just follow the instructions, & of course read all the instructions before you begin.
★★★★★
This recipe is delicious! I made it for a cookout with the neighbors and every single one is gone. It was a practice round for a family baby shower. Being that she’s gluten free, I replaced the flour with “Cup 4 Cup” and used “Pamela’s” gluten free graham crackers. Can’t tell they’re GF. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
★★★★★
I made these to bring to a group of kids and they were a hit! (Sorry I’m leaving a bunch of reviews at once haha). The brownie was delicious, the graham cracker was a bit hard but tasted amazing (maybe less butter next time?) For some reason the meringue tasted overpoweringly like vanilla extract- next time I’d do 1/4 teaspoon if any. It also didn’t form stiff peaks completely so I’m guessing I did something wrong, but on top of the cupcake it tasted like a marshmallow! Will make again with a couple tweaks but the recipe was easy and amazing!
★★★★★
So good and so easy! I made the cupcakes in the morning, and saved making the topping for when everyone was over. We all had fun taking turns with the little torch! And then eating them!
★★★★★
I made these again today, for my son’s and daughter-in-law’s birthdays and they were a big hit. I saved the toasting for everybody to take turns doing, and we had fun!
I made them better this time after reading the comments and Sally’s responses. I heated the meringue better this time and it came out really well!
Thanks again Sally!
★★★★★
Made today. Super yummy. Used a flat bottomed juice glass to tamp down the graham cracker layer. 10 star reviews from family and baristas at the local coffee shop. Thanks Sally for another winner!
★★★★★
Hi there! Just made these tonight, but with the chocolate cake recipe from your other smores cupcake. They turned out great! I do wonder though if I whipped the meringue too much or didn’t pipe soon enough. My frosting became more marshmallow-y, was solid but did not form nice little peaks when piped. Tastes good, just isn’t as pretty! Also, I did a double batch of everything and have a lot of icing left…can I make it into actual marshmallows? I’ve never made them…
Hi Becca! If the meringue was too thick, I’m afraid it was over-beaten. If you decide to try the recipe again, beat for a minute or so less.
Instead of the brownie, can I do a vanilla cupcake instead?
Definitely!
I made these yesterday for a Super Bowl party and OMG! Amazing!! Like eating a real S’more but better! My son said they were the best cupcakes he’s ever had. I’ll definitely make them again!
Hi Sally,
Can you freeze or store this frosting in the fridge?
Thanks
The frosting doesn’t thaw well, but you can store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
I made these tonight and they were amazing!!! FYI to anyone who doesn’t have a blowtorch- I tried the broiler (just to see if it would work) and it did! Nothing became misshapen or anything. Everyone loved them!
Hi Sally!
I made these tonight and they are delicious but the meringue would NOT form stiff peaks! I remade it twice following the recipe to a tee and it failed both times…not sure what was happening. Bummer!
Was it cooked long enough in the double boiler? Make sure there are no sugar crystals and it’s a smooth liquid before transferring to the mixer.
I have a bunch of kids and adults to feed – would these scale down as mini cupcake brownies? If so, what do you think for the baking time?
Definitely. I’d say 11-13 minutes or until baked through (use a toothpick to test!).
If I don’t have chocolate bars, could I just use semi sweet chocolate chips?
Also, will it taste okay if I don’t torch the merengue on top?
I don’t recommend chocolate chips as they contain stabilizers aren’t aren’t “real” chocolate– but if you decide to use them, keep that in mind. Baking chocolate tastes much much better. 🙂 You don’t have to toast the meringue.
Hi Sally, Will the Meringue keep well in the fridge overnight for frosting in the AM? I typically make my baked treats the night before and keep them in the fridge so I can share them with co-workers the following day. Thanks! These look phenomenal!
Sure will!
Sally I just wanted to let you know that I made these this weekend and they were a huge hit with my family! They asked me to make them again next time they come for dinner. I got a kitchen torch just for this recipe but had been wanting to buy one so it was a good excuse. First time making Meringue and it was so good, the directions you provided I followed to a tee and it turned out absolutely perfect. My husband doesn’t like frosting so he ate them without and still raved about them!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I made these for a party and they were a big hit! I added 1 cup of mini marshmallows when the egg whites/sugar were nearly dissolved on the double boiler until all were melted and then whipped up. This helped give my frosting stability over a few days (at least 4 days before they were gone!) – in the past the frosting would just literally disappear because it was so much whipped air. I’m not a chocolate person so I found the brownie centers to be a bit too rich for me – but people LOVED them. I was only able to get 14 cupcakes out of this (with extra graham layer). Next time I might try making them in a 9×9 brownie pan and cutting them out into squares and piping the frosting on them that way as many thought they were cupcakes but when they bit into them loved that they were brownies.
Came out great except for the meringue I could not get it to the right consistency even after beating it for almost 10 minutes. Any idea what I may have done wrong, used all correct ingredients and it did not touch the simmering water
Was it properly whisked– no more sugar granules? And how about the weather– humid where you live? I have trouble with meringue on humid days.