Skip the campfire smoke with this easy personal-sized Brownie Trifle recipe layered with smooth marshmallow-y meringue, rich chocolate brownies, and sweet graham crackers. A fun summer dessert filled with all the classic smores flavors.
Do you love smores? Those sweet, chocolatey, oozy toasted marshmallow sandwiches we make over the campfire. Oh, man do I have a treat for you?! You’re gonna love this recipe.
Think… smores meets brownies and they had a baby without the fire and camp smoke. Delicious sweet flavors, marshmallow-y goodness and chocolate. We can’t forget the chocolate!
This recipe has your name written all over it. Best part, no need to start the fire and smell like campfire smoke. This easy mini Smores Brownie Trifle recipe is a fun summer time treat everyone will love. If you take it step by step you’ll have a batch ready in no time.
HOW TO MAKE A PERSONAL SMORES BROWNIE TRIFLE:
There are a few layers in this dessert that make it beautiful and delicious.
It all starts with a layer of crushed graham crackers. You don’t need a lot. Depending on the size of cup you use you’ll need about 3/4 to 1 sheets per layer (1 1/2 to 2 sheets per trifle).
Next up is a layer of marshmallow meringue. Don’t worry, this is really easy to make. Unlike homemade marshmallows, this recipe ditches the gelatin. For a dessert like this, we have all the flavor and smoothness without the gummy stability which totally works for this dessert.
Then another layer of graham cracker goodness.
After that it’s a circle or chunks of delicious homemade chocolate brownie.
Finally, another layer of marshmallow meringue with a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers and garnished with a piece of classic smores Hershey’s chocolate.
HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES:
The brownies used in this easy mini Smores Brownie Trifle recipe are my favorite. They are easy to make too.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR BROWNIE LAYER:
- butter
- sugar
- brown sugar
- eggs
- vanilla
- flour
- cocoa powder
- salt
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST BROWNIES FOR LAYERING:
This brownie recipe is really easy. You’ll simply cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs and vanilla. Then add the dry ingredients. Bake and BAM! It takes about 10 minutes to mix up and about 25-30 minutes to bake.
While the brownies are baking you can prepare the other parts of this dessert, the crushed graham crackers and the marshmallow fluff.
MARSHMALLOW FLUFF (aka Vanilla Swiss Meringue):
Let’s get started on the marshmallow layer. This layer is made with a basic vanilla swiss meringue. This sweet vanilla-flavored fluff is super easy to make and so delicious. It’s softer than marshmallow but tastes amazing and it only takes 15-20 minutes from start to finish.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR MARSHMALLOW LAYER:
To make marshmallow swiss meringue you will need a few basic ingredients.
- egg whites
- sugar
- salt
- vanilla
HOW TO MAKE MARSHMALLOW SWISS MERINGUE:
The process to make meringue is very simple. The method of making swiss meringue is just as easy. Start by heating the egg whites, sugar and salt over a double boiler.
A double boiler is created when you bring a small amount of water (usually an inch or so) to a simmer and place a bowl over the opening. This process allows the mixture to heat more slowly without scorching or burning.
The egg sugar mixture is heated until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. It’s important to bring it to this temperature but not over heat the mixture. The mixture will be pasteurized and safe to consume at this temperature but any higher and you risk scrambling the egg whites. This process usually only takes 3-5 minutes.
Another way you can tell if the mixture is ready is by dipping your finger into the mixture and rubbing it between your fingers. If you feel grains of sugar, it’s not ready. If the mixture feels smooth then it’s ready.
Next, transfer the mixture to a stand mixer equipped with the whisk attachment. Whip it! Whip it until the mixture becomes light, airy, smooth and shiny. This will take several minutes… it usually takes my mixer 10-12 minutes on high.
Once whipped, it’s ready. You can use it immediately or place in the fridge until ready to assemble.
GRAHAM CRACKER LAYER:
This layer is by far the easiest as it’s just made up of crushed store-bought graham crackers. I like to crush my graham crackers by placing them in a ziploc bag and hitting them several times with a rolling pin. You can also crush them using a food processor. Although this works I prefer the bag and rolling pin method so I can control how small the pieces get. I prefer pieces that are a little more chunky.
ASSEMBLING THE MINI SMORES BROWNIE TRIFLE:
Now for the fun part! Once the brownies have cooled you can assemble the dessert cups.
I used small 9-11oz cups. For convenience, I made several in clear 9oz tumbler cups I picked up at Costco. This would be great for a potluck or any time you are looking to avoid dishes.
Depending on the size of cup or serving dish used, quantities may differ. For a 9oz plastic tumbler, add the first layer of crushed graham cracker. It will be about 3/4 of a sheet or 2-3 tablespoons depending on how fine your crackers are crushed.
Next, add a squirt of marshmallow meringue.
Then, sprinkle another layer of cracker, the same as before. It will be about 3/4 of a sheet or 2-3 tablespoons.
The brownie layer is next. Add one circle cut to the size of the cup or cubes that would make a single layer.
NOTE: You have two options on the brownie layer. You can either cut them in circular disk shapes that fit the size of glass or cube them. Personally, I love the look of the circular cut out but the cubes are MUCH easier to eat and enjoy. The cubes are also easier to make and assemble with. Also, it’s good to note that if you choice to do circles you will have extra brownie that is unused unless you cube it (or just eat it. I won’t tell)!
After the brownies come more marshmallow meringue.
Top the brownie trifle off with a sprinkle of crushed graham cracker and a classic smores favorite, a piece of Hershey’s chocolate.
It’s simple, tastes amazing and is perfect for those summer months when you want a smores fix without all the smelly campfire smoke.
DON’T HAVE TIME? TRY THESE TIME SAVING OPTIONS:
If you are in a time crunch you can:
- use store-bought brownies from the bakery department in place of homemade. I highly recommend my homemade brownies recipe but understand life can get crazy.
- use store-bought marshmallow fluff in place of homemade marshmallow meringue
- out of graham crackers? Try this recipe using your favorite cookies (Oreos, chips ahoy, Keebler striped cookies, etc)
LOVE SUMMER DESSERTS? YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE RECIPES:
- Blackberry Lemonade Otterpops
- Mint Oreo Ice Cream
- Cherry Lime Popsicles
- No-Bake Lemon Cream Pie
- Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies {for a crowd}
- Quick & Easy Smores Brownies
- Frozen Mint Limeade
HERE’S THE FULL PRINTABLE SMORES BROWNIE TRIFLE RECIPE. ENJOY!
Smores Brownie Trifle
An easy personal-sized Brownie Trifle layered with smooth marshmallow-y meringue, rich chocolate brownies, and sweet graham crackers.
Ingredients
Homemade Brownies Layer:
- 1 cup salted butter, softened, 8oz
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar, 300 g
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, 105 g
- 4 eggs, 9 oz
- 1/2 Tbs vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 180 g
- 6 Tbs cocoa powder, about 33 g
- 1/4 tsp salt
Marshmallow Swiss Meringue Layer:
- 9 large egg whites
- 3 cups sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 tsp Vanilla
Graham Cracker Layer:
- 2-3 sleeves graham crackers, crushed, about 18-27 crackers
- 1-2 Hershey's chocolate bars, optional for garnish
Instructions
Homemade Brownies Layer:
- Preheat your oven to 350F. Prepare a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together with a stand mixer - about 2 or 3 minutes. Slowly add the eggs in one at a time. Once fully incorporated mix in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the batter mixture until combined. The batter should be thick and similar to a soft cookie dough. Do not over mix the batter. Stop mixing immediately once the dry ingredients are incorporated.
- Spread the brownie batter evenly into prepared 9x13 pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center of the brownies comes out clean.
- Once the brownies are done let them cool. Cut brownies into same shape as the serving glass or in small cubes. Depending on the size of serving glass you may get more or less yield.
Marshmallow Swiss Meringue Layer:
- While the brownies are baking, using a double boiler to heat egg whites, sugar and salt over simmering water. Make sure the bowl does not touch the simmering water. Stir mixture. Heat until mixture reaches 160F and sugar has dissolved (about 4-5 minutes). Test if sugar has dissolved by rubbing the mixture between two fingers. It should feel smooth with no grains.
- When mixture is ready. Wipe bottom of bowl to remove any moisture then carefully pour mixture into a stand mixer bowl with a whisk attachment.
- Whip egg white mixture on high until it turns white, glossy and significantly increases in volume (5-10 minutes). The mixture should be very thick and fluffy. During this time the mixture will begin to cool.
- Once fully whipped slowly add vanilla. Whip for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Assembly of Mini Trifles:
Now for the fun part! Once the brownies have cooled you can assemble the dessert cups. I used small 9-11oz cups. For convenience, I made several in clear 9oz tumbler cups I picked up at Costco. Depending on the size of cup or serving dish used, quantities may differ.
- Add the first layer of crushed graham cracker. Use 2-3 tablespoons depending on how fine your crackers are crushed.
- Next, add a layer of marshmallow meringue. This should be about as thick as your graham cracker layer.
- Then, sprinkle another layer of cracker, the same as before, about 2-3 tablespoons.
- Add the brownie layer next. Either use one circle cut to the size of the cup or cubes making a single layer.
- Next, add another layer of marshmallow meringue. Sprinkle meringue with a small amount of crushed graham cracker and top with a piece of Hershey's chocolate (optional) as garnish.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve within 24 hours.
These mini smores cups, look great for when the kids invite friends for their summer sleepovers! I can’t wait to make this dessert, I already know they are going to crazy!
YES! Love that and I totally agree.
These are so good! Creamy, chocolatey, s’mores deliciousness. They were gone in a matter of minutes.
I definitely need to make more of these trifles. So comforting and perfect for everyone to enjoy!