Hot Chocolate Brownies

When it's cold and snowy outside I crave hot chocolate more than coffee, even first thing in the morning. I got in the habit of mixing hot cocoa and milk in with my coffee... so, really, just adding a dash of coffee to my hot cocoa. It just feels more seasonal, which may sound a little silly, but it works for me.

Then I got thinking, what could be better than hot chocolate brownies?

These brownies are a bit thin and crispy, which is how I like them. If you prefer gooey brownies, substitutes are listed throughout the recipe with *asterisks*.

Ingredients:

- 1/2 C semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
OR *1/2 C Unsweetened or Dark Cocoa Powder*

- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/3 C butter
- 1 C sugar

*2 Tbsp hot water*

- 1 egg
- 2/3 C all-purpose, unbleached flour
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 C dark chocolate morsels/chips

- 2 C mini marshmallows
- extra chocolate chips [optional], for sprinkling

Directions:

- Preheat your oven to 350 and prepare an 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Over medium-low heat, melt your butter in a medium sized saucepan. When it's about halfway melted, add your sugar and 1/2 C semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips *OR Cocoa Powder*.
- Once well combined, pour your mixture into a medium-large mixing bowl. Whisk in your egg and vanilla.
- Gradually stir in your dry ingredients.
*If you are going for gooey brownies, add your 2 Tbsp hot water in the midst of the dry ingredients. So, add a little flour, then add some water, then add a little flour, then add the rest of your water.*
- Fold in your [remaining] dark chocolate chips/morsels.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Edges should be pulling away from the sides. If you see it ballooning up in the middle while it's baking, don't panic. It will settle down.

Add the Marshmallows

Before your brownies have cooled, sprinkle on top your marshmallows, followed by extra chocolate chips if desired (I would suggest using minis!). Put them back in the oven and let bake for another 3 to 7 minutes. Watch them! When they get a little golden on top, like a good s'more, that's when they're ready (or before, depending on your preference) to come out!

- Let cool for a good 5-10 minutes before attempting to cut. Be prepared. They are a mess to cut and all of them may not look that "pretty" (which is something that bugs me, honestly), but boy are they TASTY!

Note: It almost makes it easy if you let them cool completely, then pop them back in the oven for a few minutes (5 to 10 just to warm them, on 350), then commence to cut them. That way the marshmallows have completely set-in and it makes it easier to get them separated!

The brownie recipe was adapted from HERSHEY'S Kitchen.