Fudge Yummies

Four layers of chocolate indulgence stacked into one bar. The base is a fudgy brownie made with melted unsweetened chocolate and chopped nuts. On top of that goes a sweet cream cheese filling studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips. After baking, a blanket of miniature marshmallows melts over everything in just two minutes, and then a warm chocolate cream cheese frosting gets poured over the marshmallows and swirled into gooey ribbons.

The cream cheese filling bakes on top of the brownie layer and creates a tangy, cheesecake-like contrast against all that chocolate. It also acts as a barrier that keeps the brownie base from getting soggy under the marshmallow layer.

Pour the frosting while it’s still warm so it flows over the puffy marshmallows. Swirl with a knife for a marbled finish, then let the whole pan cool before cutting into squares.

Chef Tips

• Spread the cream cheese filling gently over the brownie batter. Pressing too hard pushes the layers together and you lose the distinct separation.
• Watch the marshmallows closely during those final 2 minutes. They go from perfectly puffed to burned in seconds.
• Beat the frosting with an electric mixer right after melting the chocolate and margarine. Working fast keeps it smooth and pourable.
• Let the pan cool completely before cutting. Warm bars smear and the layers slide apart.

Variations

• Use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips in the cream cheese layer for a chocolate-peanut butter twist.
• Swap the nuts for crushed graham crackers in the base for a s’mores-inspired version.
• Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the brownie base for a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor.