Easy Recipe for Heavenly Hash Brownies That Will Delight Your Taste Buds

There’s something magical about the moment when a warm, gooey brownie meets your taste buds. I’ve been perfecting my recipe for heavenly hash brownies for years, and friends, I think I’ve finally nailed it. These aren’t just any brownies – they’re the kind that make you close your eyes and savor every bite, the kind that have my little ones hovering around the kitchen asking “Are they ready yet?” approximately 47 times.

Like many of my favorite recipes, this one was born out of necessity. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon in Asheville, my kids were bouncing off the walls, and I needed something to channel all that energy. We decided to bake, but I wanted something more special than our usual chocolate chip cookies. That’s when I remembered my grandmother’s hash brownies – not the kind you might be thinking! These are named for the wonderful mishmash (or “hash”) of delicious add-ins that take a simple brownie to spectacular heights.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Heavenly Hash Brownies

If you’re anything like me, you need desserts that deliver big on flavor without requiring a culinary degree. This recipe for heavenly hash brownies hits all the right notes:

• They’re incredibly forgiving – even if you’re not a precise measurer (raising my hand here!)
• The combination of chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows creates the perfect texture contrast
• They’re fancy enough for company but easy enough for a Tuesday night sweet craving
• Kids absolutely love helping make them (especially sprinkling on the toppings)
• They transport well for potlucks, bake sales, or “just because” gifts for friends

Ingredients

For the brownie base:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

For the heavenly hash mix-ins:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, but highly recommended)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut (my secret ingredient!)

Ingredient Tip: No mini marshmallows? Regular ones cut into quarters work beautifully. And if you’re not a coconut fan, feel free to skip it or substitute with white chocolate chips instead.

Timing

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Baking time: 25-30 minutes
• Cooling time: 1 hour (I know, this is the hardest part!)
• Total time: About 1 hour 45 minutes

Time-Saving Tip: You can prepare the dry ingredients the night before and store them in an airtight container. This makes the actual baking day so much smoother, especially if you have little helpers like I do!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. If you don’t have parchment, you can grease the pan generously with butter.

Step 2: Melt the Butter and Chocolate

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, take it off the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The aroma at this stage is absolutely heavenly – it’s like the kitchen is giving you a warm chocolate hug.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until lightened in color. Add the vanilla extract and the melted chocolate-butter mixture. Stir until combined and silky smooth.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually fold this into your wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix. We’re going for fudgy, not cakey, so a few lumps are actually your friend here!

Step 5: Fold in Half the Mix-Ins

Gently fold in half of the chocolate chips, marshmallows, nuts, and coconut. Save the rest for the topping – trust me, this layering technique creates the perfect texture contrast.

Step 6: Pour and Top

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly to ensure uniform baking. Sprinkle the remaining mix-ins over the top, pressing them lightly into the batter.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is still slightly soft. A toothpick inserted about 2 inches from the edge should come out with a few moist crumbs – not completely clean (that would mean overbaked brownies!).

Step 8: Cool and Cut

This is the hardest part! Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing for the best texture. For clean cuts, refrigerate for about 30 minutes after cooling, then use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts.

For similar recipes check the Desserts and Baking category

Cooking Tips

The secret to truly heavenly hash brownies is in the details. Here are some of my hard-earned wisdom nuggets:

• Don’t overmix the batter after adding flour – this develops gluten and makes brownies cakey instead of fudgy
• For extra chocolate flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon of espresso powder to the dry ingredients (you won’t taste coffee, just deeper chocolate notes)
• If your marshmallows are browning too quickly, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil for the last few minutes of baking
• For picture-perfect slices, place brownies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting (though I rarely have the patience for this!)
• For a twist, try toasting your coconut before adding it – it adds a wonderful nutty dimension

A Kitchen Memory

The first time I made these brownies for my husband Eric, we were still dating. I was determined to impress him with my baking skills, but I accidentally used twice the amount of marshmallows called for. Instead of perfect brownies, I ended up with a marshmallow-volcanic eruption all over my oven! We spent the evening scraping hardened marshmallow off every surface, laughing until our sides hurt. He proposed three months later, so I guess even my kitchen disasters have their charm! Now when I make these with my kids, I always tell them the story of “Mommy’s Marshmallow Explosion” as a lesson in measuring accurately.

Nutritional Information

Let’s be honest – these heavenly hash brownies aren’t health food, but life is all about balance, right? Each brownie (if cut into 16 pieces) contains approximately:

• Calories: 285
• Fat: 16g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 2g

Remember: Desserts feed the soul as much as the body, and sometimes that’s exactly the nourishment we need.

Healthier Alternatives

If you’re looking to make these brownies a bit lighter without sacrificing the heavenly hash experience, try these swaps:

• Replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce
• Swap granulated sugar for coconut sugar for a lower glycemic alternative
• Try dark chocolate chips (70% cacao or higher) for more antioxidants and less sugar
• For gluten-sensitive folks, a good quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works beautifully in this recipe

Check out this comprehensive guide to healthy baking substitutions if you’re curious about other options!

Serving Suggestions

These heavenly hash brownies are absolutely delicious on their own, but if you want to create a truly memorable dessert experience, try:

• Serving slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Drizzling with warm caramel sauce for an extra decadent touch
• Pairing with hot coffee or a glass of cold milk (my kids’ preference)
• Creating a brownie sundae bar for parties with various toppings like whipped cream, chopped nuts, and fruit

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced bakers sometimes hit a snag with brownies. Here are the most common pitfalls with this recipe for heavenly hash brownies:

1. Overbaking: The number one brownie crime! They continue cooking after you remove them from the oven, so when in doubt, underbake slightly.
2. Adding marshmallows too early: If you mix all the marshmallows into the batter, they’ll completely dissolve. Save at least half for the topping.
3. Cutting too soon: I know the temptation is real (especially with eager kids hovering), but cutting warm brownies leads to a gooey mess. Patience rewards with perfect squares!

Storing & Reheating Tips

These brownies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, though they rarely last that long in my house! For longer storage:

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week
• Freeze for up to 3 months by wrapping individual brownies in plastic wrap, then storing in a freezer bag
• To refresh slightly stale brownies, warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds (watch carefully so the marshmallows don’t expand!)

If you’re looking for more creative ways to store and organize your baked goods, I love these smart kitchen storage solutions I found last year.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe for heavenly hash brownies ahead of time?

Absolutely! These brownies actually taste even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld. Make them up to 2 days in advance for parties or gatherings.

What if I don’t have all the mix-ins for the heavenly hash brownies?

The beauty of hash brownies is their flexibility! Use what you have – butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, different nuts, or even crushed pretzels for a sweet-salty twist. As long as you keep the brownie base the same, you can get creative with the mix-ins.

Can I double this recipe for heavenly hash brownies?

Yes, but use two separate pans rather than one larger one for even baking. The center of a very large pan of brownies might not cook properly while the edges get overdone.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about pulling a perfect batch of these heavenly hash brownies from the oven. The way the house fills with the scent of chocolate, the anxious waiting while they cool, and finally, that first perfect bite. It’s more than just baking – it’s creating memories and traditions your family will cherish.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at homemade brownies for the first time, this recipe for heavenly hash brownies is forgiving enough for beginners but special enough to impress the most discerning chocolate lovers. The combination of fudgy brownie base with the textural contrast of melty chocolate, gooey marshmallows, crunchy nuts, and chewy coconut creates a truly heavenly experience.

I’d love to hear how your brownies turn out! Try them this weekend and let me know if they brought as many smiles to your table as they do to mine.

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