Madeline’s S’mores Brownies

With all the excitement that invariably accompanies a new student’s first few weeks at University,  you’d think that starting up their very first blog would be the furthest thought from their mind.  Not so for Madeline who launched her first post from her dorm in September of 2010 and has been keeping family, friends and followers current on her life at University, her pursuit of healthy balance and her dishes and treats that she prepares for herself and her room-mates.  This young lady is not only a blossoming foodie but an avid follower of food blogs as well.  She’s at home in a kitchen and enjoys trying out recipes she finds on-line.  Her room-mates must have delighted in the Thanksgiving dinner she prepared for them all and her home-made squash soups are just the thing on a cold Michigan winter’s day.  She’s managing her course load well enough to find time to write articles for the The Michigan Daily and this past Spring break Madeline spent in Baltimore on a Student Services Project with 11 other students.  Some of her time on this project was spent working with Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen where on any given day, 500-800 people are served meals.  She is a contributor to Foodbuzz and in her *spare* time she is training to run her first 1/2 marathon and has already completed three 5K races this year!  I’m delighted that Madeline is here today sharing her story and recipe with us.

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Cancer has been affecting people in my life for what seems like forever. Parents and grandparents of countless classmates and numerous family friends have all battled cancer in my relatively short lifetime. In my family, two of my aunts, LouAnn and MaryJo, have battled cancer. Both of my aunts were diagnosed with breast cancer twice and continue to fight to this day for themselves and others (raising nearly $11,000 for the 3Day Breast Cancer Walk with my mom and their other sister). Most recently, my brother-in-law’s mother, Diane, was diagnosed with cancer.

Unfortunately, the ways in which cancer have affected me and my loved ones are not unique now a days. I am sure that many of you too have a similar story; and for some, one which is much harsher. I am thrilled that I am able to use my small blogging platform to raise awareness and funds today for a cause that helps people we all love. I look forward to continued advocacy for this issue as I participate in my first Race for the Cure this summer. For my Frosting for the Cause donation, I baked S’more Brownies for the kids who attend the children’s support group at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor.

S’mores Brownies from Joy the Baker

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 5 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup graham cracker, roughly crushed with your hands
• 3 handfuls of mini marshmallows

Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a 9×13 pan with butter. Next, mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

Construct a double boiler for melting the butter and chocolate over simmering water, and melt and stir until smooth.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla.

When the chocolate-butter mixture is melted stir it in with the egg mix, and then add the flour mix in to that. After everything is well mixed, fold in the graham crackers and pour the batter into the pan.

Once poured, add 3 handfuls of mini marshmallows (or 12 regular marshmallows). I also added small pieces of Hershey chocolate bar to the top of these brownies, which turned out to be a tasty melty surprise when eaten.

Bake for 30-40 minutes and let cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!