Vegan Smores Brownie Cookie Recipe

Prepare for an extraordinary culinary adventure with these incredible vegan s’mores brookies! This ultimate dessert mash-up brings together three beloved plant-based treats: a soft, chewy vegan chocolate chip cookie base, a luscious layer of gooey marshmallows, and a rich, decadent fudge vegan brownie topping. It’s truly the best indulgent dessert recipe you’ll ever make, perfectly capturing the classic s’mores experience in an easy-to-share bar format.

What Exactly Are Brookies or Brownie Cookies?

If you’re new to the delightful world of “brookies,” you’re in for a treat! A brookie is essentially a glorious fusion of a brownie and a cookie, typically baked in a single pan and then sliced into bars. This brilliant concept often takes inspiration from the ever-popular “slutty brownies,” a viral sensation that swept social media, particularly Pinterest, during its heyday in the early 2010s. While the original slutty brownies featured a layer of cookie, a layer of Oreos, and a layer of brownies, the term “brookie” has evolved to describe any delicious combination of cookie and brownie layers.

You might also hear these indulgent treats called brownie cookies, cookie brownies, or even crownies. The key distinction from the “slutty brownie” is typically the absence of an Oreo layer in the middle. Our vegan s’mores brookies take this concept a step further, reimagining the classic campfire treat in a baked bar form. Instead of Oreos, we layer fluffy vegan marshmallows between the rich chocolate chip cookie base and the fudgy brownie topping, creating a truly unique and irresistible dessert that’s reminiscent of vegan slutty brownies but with that iconic s’mores twist.

These vegan s’mores brookies aren’t just any layered dessert; they are the ultimate celebration of three classic sweets, expertly transformed into a plant-based masterpiece. Imagine a perfectly golden-brown chocolate chip cookie providing a delightful chew, followed by a soft, warm, and stretchy marshmallow core, all crowned with a deep, dark, and intensely fudgy brownie layer. It’s a texture and flavor explosion in every single bite, making it an absolute must-try for any dessert lover, vegan or not.

Essential Ingredients for Your Vegan S’mores Brookies

Crafting these sensational vegan s’mores brownie cookies involves combining the best elements of my favorite vegan recipes: a tried-and-true vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe, a decadent fudgy vegan brownie recipe, and of course, a generous helping of vegan marshmallows. The beauty of this recipe lies in its carefully selected plant-based ingredients that deliver on flavor and texture without compromise.

Here’s a closer look at the key components:

• Flour: Standard organic all-purpose flour works wonderfully here, creating the perfect structure for both the cookie and brownie layers. For those with dietary restrictions, a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend can be used as a direct substitute.
• Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce is a fantastic vegan egg replacer and a natural sweetener, contributing to the moist texture of the cookie layer without adding excessive sugar. It also helps bind the ingredients together.
• Flaxseed “Eggs”: Made from ground flaxseed meal mixed with water, flaxseed eggs are an indispensable binder in vegan baking. They provide structure and moisture to the brownie layer, mimicking the function of traditional eggs.
• Cacao Powder: For that rich, deep chocolate flavor in your brownies, high-quality cacao powder is essential. It delivers an intense chocolatey punch and a beautiful dark hue.
• Coconut Sugar: This unrefined sugar lends a lovely caramel-like note and a subtle sweetness. It’s a great alternative to refined white sugar and contributes to a chewy texture.
• Coconut Oil: Used in both layers, softened coconut oil is a versatile plant-based fat that helps create tender cookies and fudgy brownies. Ensure it’s not fully melted for the cookie dough, but melted for the brownie batter.
• Vegan Chocolate Chips: The choice of chocolate chips is crucial! I highly recommend bittersweet, stevia-sweetened chocolate chips, such as those from Lily’s Sweets, which are naturally dairy-free and add a wonderful depth of flavor without being overly sweet. There are many great vegan brands available now, so pick your favorite!
• Vegan Marshmallows: The star of the s’mores layer! These fluffy, meltable wonders create that signature gooey, stretchy texture. Brands like Dandie’s or even Trader Joe’s (which are surprisingly vegan!) are excellent choices for their superior melting quality and classic marshmallow flavor.

One of the many advantages of this recipe is the commonality of ingredients between the cookie and brownie components. This not only simplifies your grocery list but also means you can often use the same mixing bowl for both batters, saving you precious cleanup time!

Crafting Your Vegan S’mores Brookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these delightful vegan s’mores brookies is a straightforward process, involving three distinct but harmonious layers. You’ll first prepare a rich vegan chocolate chip cookie dough, then add a generous layer of fluffy vegan marshmallows, and finally, top it all off with a decadent fudgy vegan brownie batter. The result is a truly impressive and incredibly delicious dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

1. Prepare the Vegan Cookie Dough Base: Begin by making the foundation for your brookies: the vegan chocolate chip cookie dough. This step is inspired by my tried-and-true simple vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly beat together the softened coconut oil, unsweetened applesauce, and coconut sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Next, carefully sift in the flour, baking soda, and sea salt, then gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Don’t overmix! Gradually add 3 to 6 tablespoons of unsweetened vanilla almond milk until you achieve a smooth, slightly sticky dough consistency. Finally, fold in the vegan chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
2. Form the Cookie Layer and Add Marshmallows: Press the prepared cookie dough evenly into the bottom of your parchment-lined baking pan. Make sure it forms a firm, cohesive layer. This will be the sturdy and chewy base of your s’mores brookies. Once the cookie dough is in place, generously layer your favorite vegan marshmallows directly on top. For the best gooey results, I personally love using Dandie’s brand or even the surprisingly vegan marshmallows from Trader Joe’s. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring good coverage across the cookie dough.
3. Whip Up the Fudgy Brownie Batter: Now it’s time for the crowning glory – the fudgy vegan brownie layer. Conveniently, you can use the same bowl you used for the cookie dough, minimizing cleanup! In that bowl, combine the flaxseed eggs, coconut sugar, melted vegan butter or coconut oil, and melted vegan chocolate chips. Stir these wet ingredients until they are well incorporated. Then, sift in the cacao powder, flour, and baking powder. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just mixed. Be careful not to overmix the brownie batter, as this can lead to a less fudgy texture.
4. Assemble and Bake Your Brookies: Gently spread the prepared brownie batter evenly over the marshmallow layer, making sure to cover all the marshmallows. Take your time to create a smooth, consistent top layer. Once assembled, transfer the pan to your preheated oven and bake the brookies until the brownie layer is set and the edges are slightly golden.
5. Crucial Cooling Step: This step is vital for the perfect gooey texture and clean slices! After baking, remove the pan from the oven and allow the vegan s’mores brookies to cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before attempting to slice them. While you’ll be eager to dive into that warm, gooey marshmallow layer, slicing them too soon will cause the brownies to crumble and the layers to separate. Patience will be rewarded with beautifully intact and deliciously gooey s’mores brookies!

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Knowing When Your Vegan Brookies Are Perfectly Baked

Determining when your vegan s’mores brookies are perfectly baked can be a bit trickier than with a standard batch of brownies or cookies, primarily because of the distinct layers and varying cook times. The cookie base typically takes longer to bake through than the brownie topping, so a keen eye and a reliable testing method are essential for achieving that ideal balance of fudgy, chewy, and gooey goodness.

My go-to method for checking doneness is the classic toothpick test. Here’s how to do it effectively: gently insert a toothpick into the very center of the pan, making sure it goes through the brownie layer and into the cookie layer below, but *above* the marshmallow layer. If the toothpick comes out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it (it shouldn’t be completely dry, as we want fudgy brownies!), then your brookies are ready to be removed from the oven. A slight crumbly texture is fine, but if you see wet batter still clinging to the toothpick, it needs more time to bake.

It’s important to distinguish between wet brownie batter and melted marshmallow. The marshmallow layer will, by nature, remain gooey and stretchy, so don’t mistake that for underbaked batter. Focus on the brownie and cookie components. If the toothpick reveals sticky, liquid batter (irrespective of the marshmallow’s gooeyness), then your s’mores brookies need a few more minutes in the oven to achieve that perfect set. Keep an eye on the edges; they should appear set and slightly pulled away from the sides of the pan, and the top of the brownie layer should look firm, not jiggly.

Tips for Achieving the Perfect Vegan S’mores Brookies

To ensure your vegan s’mores brookies turn out absolutely perfect every time, consider these helpful tips:

• Parchment Paper is Your Best Friend: Always line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This makes it incredibly easy to lift the entire batch out of the pan once cooled, allowing for clean, effortless slicing.
• Don’t Overmix the Batters: For both the cookie dough and brownie batter, mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher cookies and less fudgy brownies.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients (for cookies): For the cookie layer, ensure your coconut oil is softened, not melted. This helps create the right texture and ensures even mixing with other ingredients.
• Even Spreading is Key: Take your time to spread both the cookie dough and brownie batter evenly across their respective layers. This promotes uniform baking and ensures every piece has the perfect ratio of each component.
• Quality Vegan Marshmallows: Not all vegan marshmallows are created equal. Choose a brand known for good melting qualities to get that satisfyingly gooey s’mores experience. Dandie’s are widely available and perform beautifully.
• The Importance of Cooling: As mentioned, cooling is crucial. Resist the urge to slice into these warm beauties immediately. Allowing them to cool and set for at least 10-15 minutes in the pan, or even longer for firmer slices, will prevent crumbling and help the gooey marshmallow layer stabilize.
• Storage: Store leftover brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For an extra treat, warm them slightly in the microwave before serving to bring back that delightful gooeyness!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Vegan Brookie Recipe

These vegan s’mores brookies aren’t just another dessert; they’re a revelation for anyone seeking an indulgent, plant-based treat. Here’s why you’ll absolutely adore them:

• Unbeatable Flavor & Texture: They offer the best of all worlds – the chewy edges and soft center of a chocolate chip cookie, the delightful stretch and sweetness of melted marshmallows, and the rich, fudgy density of a perfectly baked brownie.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual get-together, a birthday party, a potluck, or just a quiet evening treat, these brookies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
• Easier Than You Think: Despite having multiple layers, the recipe is surprisingly straightforward, using common vegan baking ingredients and techniques. Plus, the ability to reuse a mixing bowl saves time!
• Allergy-Friendly Indulgence: Being entirely vegan, these bars are suitable for those avoiding dairy and eggs, opening up a world of deliciousness to more people without sacrificing taste.
• Nostalgic Comfort: They evoke the joyful memories of campfire s’mores and classic homemade desserts, but with a sophisticated, layered twist.

Customizing Your Vegan S’mores Brookies

While this recipe is perfect as written, feel free to get creative and customize your vegan s’mores brookies to your taste!

• Add a Graham Cracker Crust: For an even more authentic s’mores experience, consider adding a thin, crushed vegan graham cracker crust beneath the cookie layer. Mix crushed graham crackers with a little melted vegan butter and press it into the bottom of the pan before adding the cookie dough.
• Different Chocolate Varieties: Experiment with different types of vegan chocolate chips, such as white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips, for unique flavor combinations.
• Nutty Additions: Fold chopped walnuts, pecans, or even roasted peanuts into either the cookie or brownie batter for an added crunch and flavor dimension.
• Salty-Sweet Twist: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top of the brownie batter before baking to enhance the chocolate flavors and add a delightful salty contrast.
• Coffee Enhancement: A teaspoon of instant espresso powder dissolved in the wet ingredients of the brownie batter can deepen the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.

I genuinely hope you cherish this s’mores rendition of vegan brownie cookies! If you decide to bake them, please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below, and don’t forget to leave a rating to help others discover this fantastic recipe. Your feedback means the world!

As always, I am thrilled to see your beautiful culinary creations. Please tag me on Instagram and Pinterest using #thebananadiaries so I can share your delicious masterpieces!

Happy Brookie Baking!

Explore More Vegan Brownie and Cookie Recipes:

If you’ve loved these s’mores brookies, you’ll definitely want to try some of my other popular vegan baking recipes:

Crazy Good Vegan Brownies

Ultimate Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Vegan S’mores Cookies

Paleo Vegan Fudgy Brownies

Vegan Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

Gluten Free Vegan Peanut Butter Blossoms

Flourless Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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