Oh, remember those childhood days when a trip to the candy aisle felt like unlocking a treasure chest? For me, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were always at the top of that list. The perfect marriage of chocolate and peanut butter – it’s pure magic! And when you combine that iconic flavor with soft, chewy brownies and fluffy marshmallows, well, you’ve got a dessert that’s destined to become a legend in your kitchen. These Reese’s Marshmallow Brownies are so unbelievably good, they’ll have everyone asking for the recipe!
The best part? While they taste like they came from a fancy bakery, they are surprisingly simple to whip up. You don’t need to be a master baker to create these beauties. They’re perfect for bake sales, holiday treats, or just because you deserve something extra special. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone around you with this absolutely divine creation!
Why You’ll Love Reese’s Marshmallow Brownies
- Fast: Most of the time is chilling time, meaning active prep is super quick!
- Easy: Seriously, it’s mostly assembly and chilling. No complicated techniques here.
- Giftable: Packaged up nicely, these make a truly thoughtful and delicious gift.
- Crowd-pleasing: Who can resist chocolate, peanut butter, and marshmallow? It’s a guaranteed hit!
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to brownie bliss! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 18 ounces brownie mix plus the ingredients called for on the box (usually eggs, oil, and water) – Pick your favorite brand for that perfect fudgy base.
- 7 ounces marshmallow creme – This gives you that gooey, marshmallowy goodness.
- 25 Reese’s miniatures, halved – The star of the show! Halving them makes them easy to spread.
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips – The classic chocolatey goodness that pairs so well with peanut butter.
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural) – Crucial for that smooth, meltable texture when combined with chocolate. Natural peanut butter can sometimes separate.
- 3 cups crispy rice cereal – For that delightful crunch and texture that balances the soft layers.
How to Make Reese’s Marshmallow Brownies
Alright, let’s get baking – or rather, assembling! This is where the magic really happens.
-
Prepare the Brownie Base
First things first, get your brownie batter ready according to the package directions for a 9×13 baking dish. Bake them until they’re perfectly set. Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool completely. For the best results and easier handling, I highly recommend chilling the cooled brownies in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This makes spreading the marshmallow creme so much neater!
-
Add the Marshmallow Layer
Once your brownies are nice and chilled, it’s time for that dreamy marshmallow creme. Spread it evenly all over the top of the brownies. Try to get a nice, consistent layer. Pop the pan back into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the marshmallow creme set up a bit. This is another crucial step for neat layers!
-
Get Ready for the Reese’s
Now for the fun part! Arrange your halved Reese’s miniatures on top of the chilled marshmallow creme. You want to get a good, even distribution so every bite has that perfect chocolate-peanut butter hit. Don’t be shy!
-
Create the Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the creamy peanut butter. Microwave this mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until it’s smooth and wonderfully melty. This creates our luscious coating for the cereal.
-
Coat the Cereal
Gently stir the crispy rice cereal into the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture. Make sure every single piece of cereal is beautifully coated in that chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness. It should look like a glorious, crunchy topping!
-
Top it Off
Carefully spread this crunchy cereal mixture over the top of the Reese’s miniatures, covering them completely. Press it down gently to help it adhere. This layer adds a fantastic texture contrast to the soft brownies and gooey marshmallow.
-
Chill and Cut
The final step before slicing into pure bliss! Return the pan to the refrigerator for another hour. This allows all the layers to firm up nicely, making it super easy to cut into clean bars. Once chilled, use a sharp knife to cut them into your desired bar size. Enjoy the applause!
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling creative? You can absolutely customize these brownies! Here are a few ideas:
- Different Chocolate: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk chocolate chips or even dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
- Peanut Butter Cups: If you can’t find miniatures, you can chop up regular-sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
- Extra Crunch: Add some chopped peanuts or pretzels to the crispy rice cereal mixture for an extra layer of texture.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some white chocolate chips and drizzle them over the top for an extra decorative touch and flavor boost.
- No-Bake Option: While this recipe calls for baking the brownies, you could also use store-bought pre-made brownies as a base to make this an entirely no-bake treat! You might enjoy our no-bake marshmallow slice for similar no-fuss deliciousness.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks can ensure your Reese’s Marshmallow Brownies turn out perfectly every time:
- Don’t Overbake the Brownies: A slightly underbaked brownie is better than an overbaked one, especially when you’re adding more layers. They’ll continue to cook slightly as they cool.
- Chill, Chill, Chill: Seriously, don’t skip the chilling steps! They are key to getting clean layers and easy slicing.
- Smooth Melting: When melting the chocolate and peanut butter, use short intervals and stir frequently to prevent scorching.
- Even Spreading: For the marshmallow creme and the cereal mixture, an offset spatula can be your best friend for achieving smooth, even layers.
- Cooling Time: Be patient! Letting them fully set in the fridge is essential for that perfect bar texture.
How to Store Reese’s Marshmallow Brownies
These delicious treats are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, or if you want them to stay extra firm, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. They are also freezer-friendly! Wrap them well in plastic wrap and then foil, and they should keep for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
FAQs
- Can I use a different type of peanut butter? It’s best to stick with creamy, processed peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for the chocolate coating. Natural peanut butter tends to be oily and can separate, which might affect the texture of your topping.
- Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare them a day or two in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. In fact, they often taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
- Are these brownies cakey or fudgy? The texture of the brownies themselves will depend on the mix you use. Most brownie mixes aim for a fudgy texture, which is perfect for this recipe. The added layers will make them even more decadent!
These Reese’s Marshmallow Brownies are a delightful journey into pure chocolate and peanut butter heaven. They’re surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone who tries them. Happy baking!
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to follow me on Pinterest for more delicious ideas!
Reese's Marshmallow Brownies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Base. Get your brownie batter ready according to the package directions for a 9x13 baking dish. Bake them until they're perfectly set. Once they're out of the oven, let them cool completely. For the best results and easier handling, chill the cooled brownies in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Step 2: Add the Marshmallow Layer. Once your brownies are nice and chilled, spread the marshmallow creme evenly all over the top. Pop the pan back into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the marshmallow creme set up a bit.
- Step 3: Get Ready for the Reese's. Arrange your halved Reese's miniatures on top of the chilled marshmallow creme, ensuring an even distribution.
- Step 4: Create the Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval, until smooth and melty.
- Step 5: Coat the Cereal. Gently stir the crispy rice cereal into the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture, ensuring every piece is coated.
- Step 6: Top it Off. Carefully spread this crunchy cereal mixture over the top of the Reese's miniatures, covering them completely. Press gently to help it adhere.
- Step 7: Chill and Cut. Return the pan to the refrigerator for another hour to allow all layers to firm up. Once chilled, use a sharp knife to cut them into desired bar size.