Mississippi Mud Brownies
Note: This post has been updated on 5/31/17 with new photos, however the post content and recipe remain the same!
As my most frequent dining buddy, Marc got nominated as my official taste tester. It doesn't sound like a rough job, but for a guy who thinks food is "good" or "okay," sometimes it's hard getting a lot of feedback from him. These Mississippi Mud Brownies, though? I definitely got a response!
When he tried these Mississippi Mud Brownies and said "These are the best brownies I have ever had" I thought he was just being a smart ass. It turns out, he was being serious and they really are the best brownies he's ever had. After eating two three way too many of these brownies myself, I'm gonna have to agree with the guy. There are just so many layers of deliciousness going on!
Layers of Mississippi Mud Brownies
The bottom layer is a dense and fudge-like brownie which is super easy to whip up.
The brownie layer is topped with crunchy peanut butter, marshmallows, and pecans. Oh. Em. Gee.
Then to top it all off there is a thin chocolate frosting that seeps into all of the little crevices between the marshmallows and pecans. If that isn't the best brownie ever, I don't know what is.
Like this recipe? Check these out, too!
Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake Bars
Rocky Road Brownies from Handle the Heat
Mississippi Mud Brownies
Ingredients
For the brownie layer:
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup white sugar
- ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the peanut butter layer:
- ½ cup crunchy peanut butter
- 1 ½ teaspoon canola oil
For the marshmallow layer:
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
For the topping:
- ½ cup chopped and toasted pecans
For the frosting:
- ¼ cup 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoon milk
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 8x8" square baking pan with parchment paper or foil. If using foil, spray it with cooking spray.
- In medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In large mixing bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and vanilla until creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time.
- Stir dry ingredients into batter.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake in preheated oven for 22-25 minutes.
- When brownie layer is done baking, combine peanut butter and oil in a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup and microwave on high for 20 seconds to soften.
- Pour this warm mixture over hot brownie.
- Sprinkle the peanut butter covered brownies with marshmallows.
- Return to oven to bake for 3 more minutes, or until the marshmallows puff.
- Sprinkle puffed marshmallows with toasted pecans.
Make the frosting:
- To make frosting, in small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. When butter is melted, add the cocoa powder and ¼ cup of the milk and heat until the mixture begins to boil.
- Remove from the heat and combine with confectioners sugar and salt in a separate bowl and beat on high speed with an electric mixer until smooth and glossy.
- If frosting is not pourable at this point, add remaining 2 tablespoon of milk (I didn't have to do this).
- Lastly, beat in vanilla, then pour evenly over puffed marshmallows.
- Let cool completely in refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
- Cut into squares and enjoy!
Nutrition
Oh my gosh, this is the kind of bar that one only dreams of but never imagines that such a thing could exist. I love how chock full of goodies it is. I have a huge sweet treat linky party going on at my blog and I'd like to invite you to come by and link this up.
These definitely look like big yummy brownie! I love marshmallows mixed in with nuts because of the texture contrast.
Ps. I totally have a friend who can't use adjectives to describe my food! It annoys me so much too! I want to know details, not just "it's so yummy!"
These look so fun. They will bring out the kid in anyone. They would be a hit at a kids party or bake sale. If you love these, try my Triple Chocolate Whoppers. Recipe on my blog, http://www.chocolatecentral.com/
wow!!! those look heavenly.. as do the double choc double peanut butter cookies on the bottom linky thing!
delicious!
YUM!!!!! I love the convo between you and Marc sound very familiar;) lol
LOVE these!
ha marc and ryan are VERY similar!!!
i'll have to make these and see what he thinks 🙂
Yowza! That looks like something my husband would demolish in minutes - he loves marshmallows! Great job!
yuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmm
this really looks like the best brownie ever!
Thanks so much for linking this up to Sweets for a Saturday. You're one of the "featured" posts from last week's party.
That looks like the best meal ever!! Yum! Thanks for sharing! I've linked to you on my blog – taking the Mississippi brownie to South Africa!