Sky high Marshmallow brownies

You will love these marshmallow brownies. There’s no question about it. How could you not love a gluten free dessert that combines two of the best things ever – a fudgy, dense, chocolatey brownie and the fluffiest marshmallow meringue frosting you could possibly imagine. It’s time to feast your eyes on pure melted chocolate sinfulness.

I don’t trust marshmallows.
That’s a very strange opening line, but bear with me. I don’t trust marshmallows because they are too squidgy, sweet and spongy to do anything good for me. I know they are an occasional treat, but I always feel their white fluffiness hides an ingredients list I really don’t want to know about.
I was 22 when I first tasted a marshmallow. (Yes, I did have to think a minute or two about that… Is it embarrassing that I don’t know my own age off the top of my head?) At least I think I was – there may have been an earlier time, but if there was, I’ve erased it from my brain. No, they weren’t any better than I expected them to be.

The fact is: I like what a marshmallow is supposed to be. I like the idea of biting into a sweet, fluffy pillow-like treat – like biting into a sugary cloud. (And the marshmallow I’ve tasted was nothing like that; it was all rubbery and sickly sweet.)

I haven’t gotten around making my own marshmallows yet, but this wonderful marshmallow meringue frosting is definitely the next best thing. It might even be a tiny bit better (I’ll have to get back to you on that).

You know what makes this frosting SPECTACULAR? Piling it on top of fudgy brownies. Yep, I went there. These sky high marshmallow brownies are probably one of the best things my sugar-loving brain has come up with.
There’s nothing complicated about these marshmallow brownies. Fudgy, decadent, intensely chocolatey brownie. A thick layer of sweet, pillowy marshmallow meringue frosting, toasted under the grill for a few seconds. See, nothing scary or impossible there.
But for all their unpretentious simplicity, these heaps of goodness will take your breath away. (Wait, was that to cheesy? Meh, just roll with it.) I mean it. Oh, you think one piece will be enough? Think again.

Here’s what is absolutely brilliant about these marshmallow brownies: you can cut them into clean, minimalistic squares and leave them looking all sophisticated, like they wouldn’t look out of place at an afternoon tea in a posh hotel.

But you can also drizzle them with almost-too-much melted chocolate (“almost” because there is no such thing as too much chocolate), transforming them into a beautiful beautiful mess that will leave you drooling. Perhaps not quite posh hotel worthy… but that’s their loss.

And why “sky high”? I’m sorry, have you seen these marshmallow brownies? Scroll down and look at that tower of deliciousness.

Oh, and as an added bonus, these brownies are also gluten free – with a dairy free option, if you sub in coconut oil instead of butter and use dairy free dark chocolate. Yumminess is guaranteed either way.

These brownies are the dessert you make when you desperately want to impress someone, but are lacking the time, energy or the enthusiasm (hey, it happens!) for a complicated bazillon-step baking procedure. Of course, they are also the perfect dessert to make just for yourself… and a friend, perhaps, if you’re feeling generous.

Now, I still don’t trust marshmallows, at least not the store-bought ones. But I definitely trust these marshmallow brownies… to keep me happy, floating on a fluffy, sugary cloud. Coated in chocolate.

Course Dessert
Cuisine Gluten Free
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 16
Author Kat | The Loopy Whisk

Ingredients
For gluten free brownies:
* 7 oz (200 g) 70% dark chocolate (dairy free chocolate for dairy free version)
* 4/5 stick (90 g) unsalted butter (or 1/4 cup / 60 g coconut oil for dairy free version)
* 1/2 cup (100 g) caster sugar
* 3/8 cup (30 g) cocoa powder
* 3 medium eggs room temperature
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* pinch of salt
* 1/2 tbsp instant coffee in 1/2 cup boiling hot water
* 1 cup (125 g) plain gluten free flour blend (I’ve used a simple store-bought blend of rice, potato and maize flour with no added xanthan gum)
* 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
*
For marshmallow meringue frosting:
* 4 medium egg whites
* 3/4 cup (150 g) caster sugar
* 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
* 1 tsp vanilla extract

You will also need:
* 8 x 8 inch square baking pan at least 2 1/2 inch deep
* baking thermometer
* melted dark chocolate for drizzling (optional)
*
Instructions
For gluten free brownies:
* Pre-heat the oven to 350 ºF (175 ºC) and line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with greaseproof/baking paper. 
* In a bowl above simmering water, melt together the dark chocolate and butter. 
* Once melted, allow to cool until warm. 
* Add caster sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, vanilla extract and salt to the melted chocolate-butter mixture and mix until everything is evenly incorporated. 
* Add the hot coffee and mix well. 
* Sift together the gluten free flour and xanthan gum, and add them to the brownie batter. 
* Mix until everything is evenly incorporated and no flour clumps remain. 
* Transfer to the line baking tray and smooth out the top. 
* Bake in the pre-heated oven at 350 ºF (175 ºC) for about 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick still comes out slightly dirty. 

For marshmallow meringue.
* Mix all the marshmallow meringue ingredients in a heat-proof bowl, and set the bowl above a pot of simmering water. 
* Heat the meringue mixture with constant stirring until it reaches 140 ºF (60 ºC) and the sugar has melted. 
* Transfer the heated meringue mixture into a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer) and whisk the mixture for 5 – 7 minutes, until it reaches room temperature and forms glossy peaks. Do not over-whisk as you can lose some of the fluffiness. 
* Pile the marshmallow meringue on top of the brownies (still in the baking pan) and using a spoon or spatula, create peaks on top. 
* Place the marshmallow-covered brownies under the grill for no more than 5 – 10 seconds until they are nicely toasted. Really keep an eye on them, as they catch quickly! (You can also use a kitchen blowtorch). 
* Allow the marshmallow brownies to cool slightly, cut into pieces, drizzle with melted chocolate (optional), and enjoy! 

Storage:
* The marshmallow brownies keep well in a closed container in a cool dry space for 3 -4 days (hah, good luck with that). 

* By the Loopy Whisk