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S'more brownies, please!

August 17, 2016 kelsey
easy s'more brownies: graham cracker crust, boxed brownie mix, marshmallows

As the summer winds down, I love reminiscing about all the memories shared with family and friends at my parents' cottage in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Polar plunges into Lake Michigan, Saturday mornings at the farmer's market, backyard volleyball with the cousins, and making s'mores around the campfire. . . well, except that we don't have a campfire. My sister Tess has lamented missing out on this summer staple for years, but unfortunately there is no solution. Unless we want to dig right into the middle of a backyard volleyball game, there is just no place to put a fire pit. 

No fire pit or campfire? Try this s'more brownie recipe so you don't have to miss out on the classic summer treat—s'mores!

But just because we don't have a fire pit, doesn't mean we have to miss out on the quintessential summer treat—s'mores. Most people don't have fire pits or even fireplaces, but that doesn't mean s'mores have to be a distant childhood memory. So how, one might ask, do I propose we make  this summer treat?! My fellow Chicagoans might suggest the stovetop, but nay, I have s'more solutions that allow you to stop worrying about burning that marshmallow altogether.

s'more brownie recipe: easier than s'mores!

Enter s'more brownies: the s'more alternative that is less of a hassle, less of a mess, less charred marshmallows, and more satisfying. Simply whip up a boxed brownie mix (c'mon does anyone really have a from-scratch recipe that's better than Ghirardelli's or Betty Crocker's boxed version?), pour atop a graham cracker crust (à la pies and cheesecakes), and after baking, top with marshmallows. Piece of. . . s'more?

While I know these treats can't quite fill the fire pit in my sister's heart, my cousins and siblings devoured them despite the availability of the famous Tom's Mom's cookies and after a Mama T feast. (There's no better compliment to a baker like an empty platter, right?) Regardless of your fire pit status, this twist on a summer classic is sure to elicit campfire nostalgia from those you share it with, while creating modern memories—and full bellies—of its own.

S'more Brownies

s'more brownies: the perfect summer treat—sans campfire!
Graham Cracker Crust: (adapted from Joanna Gaines' graham cracker crust recipe)
1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers
6 Tbsp butter (softened)

⅓ cup sugar 

1 Boxed Brownie Mix

1 Bag of Mini Marshmallows


1. Combine crushed graham cracker, softened butter, and sugar. Mix well and press into greased 9 x 9 or 8 x 8 baking dish (dependent on what your boxed brownie mix recommends). Bake for 8 minutes at 350°

2. Make brownies according to boxed mix instructions while crust is baking. Pour brownie mixture over baked graham cracker crust. Bake brownies according to box instructions, erring on the side of slightly uncooked.

3. Once brownies have almost baked, cover them completely with a layer of mini marshmallows. Broil or bake for about 5 minutes, or until marshmallows are golden brown.

s'more boxed brownies

 

Big Sister Baking Tip: Always bake with room temperature ingredients. Run eggs under warm water if not yet room temperature.

 

With a little grace,

                 Kelsey

 

s'more brownies: get the recipe 

Have you tried one of the recipes from With A Little Grace? Post a picture of your treat and hashtag #bakingwithalittlegrace so we all can see how it turned out!

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Valentine’s Day is nice and all, but love doesn’t really look like roses & chocolates. Love is in the daily, gritty, often unglamorous details & small sacrifices. For me, love looks like waking up in the middle of the night, round the clock feedings, cleaning up Lucy’s blowouts💩, having hard conversations, apologizing, and forgiving.
💙
“Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
💙
I know I’m not alone in loving this quote (apparently by James Whelan, SJ—not Pedro Arrupe, SJ! Thanks @jamesmartinsj). But it has never been more true. Falling in love with these two has really decided everything. Falling in love with these two has decided where I live, what I do, and who I am. Falling in love with them is revealing my sins, and slowly but surely purifying them & pointing me toward God. Despite my reluctance at times to let go of my own selfishness, they are helping me become, I hope & pray, the saint God wants me to be. To me, that is what it means to be in love.
It’s finally here! 🎉

I’ve been wanting to write this post for 6+ months. I’ve had several requests for it.
...
FINALLY the details of our journey to fertility & how I naturally healed my own infertility is live on With A Little Grace now #linkinbio
🤗
#WomanCode @vittialisa @floliving
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(Our maternity photos by the wonderful & talented @rachelgabes!)
This was Lucy’s first time at a restaurant and my first time wearing lipstick since she was born 💋(let me re-phrase that—most days do NOT look like this!)
I’ve always been an advocate of self care, but as a mom—when it’s tempting to deny self care altogether and hardest to make time for it—I find I literally need it more than ever.
And more than ever, I realize it’s NOT at all selfish. Because when I don’t take time away from Lucy to take care of my needs, I can’t take care of Lucy to the best of my ability.
💓
Self care isn’t just getting pedicures or massages—it’s putting on your metaphorical oxygen tank so you can help others.
😷
For me, self care is more basic than ever these days. Right now, self care often looks like getting sleep when Lucy sleeps, brushing my teeth, taking a shower, occasionally putting on real clothes or lipstick, drinking enough water, and making sure I’m nourished. If I don’t do those things, I get overwhelmed and can’t take care of my sweet girl very well. That’s not doing her any favors. If I’m not taking care of me, I can’t be the best mom to her. So mamas (and everyone!) give yourself permission to care for YOU! We all need it 💕
#selfcare #newmom
Every time I post a picture of her, I think of you.

I think of you whom I know by name are struggling, and you whom I don’t know at all. 
I think of how much it hurt me every time I saw a post about a baby or pregnancy announcement, how it could bring me to my knees—especially if I had just gotten a negative pregnancy test.
And with that, part of me thinks I shouldn’t post. Part of me doesn’t want to even mention pregnancy or my baby for fear of triggering you.

And then I think about how it’s a “both/and” - my joy and excitement over my baby hasn’t made me forget you. It hasn’t made me forget the pain of what it’s like to be where you are—hoping, waiting, praying. Yes, I have absolute joy for this precious gift we’ve been blessed with, *and* my heart still breaks for you, for anyone whom I unintentionally hurt when you see this post.

For those I know who suffer from infertility, when I see you’ve liked a post with her, I wince. I wonder if it made you cry. I wonder if it made you angry. I wonder if you think I forgot what’s it like. Posts of babies & pregnancy announcements often left me feeling bitter, jealous, sad—maybe that’s not you. Maybe you are stronger than I was, or your heart is kinder than mine. But for any pain these posts cause you, I’m sorry. And I want you to know I haven’t forgotten you. I haven’t forgotten the pain. I am both joyful and excited for our Lucy and still heartbroken and hoping for you. ❤️💔
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(You can check out my recent article for @verilymag about seeing life in “both/and” terms rather than “either/or” at the #linkinbio)

this journal is a love letter to my littlest sister, Grace, intended to promote all types of grace and with my Grace in mind. whatever your age or walk of life, i hope your journey is enhanced with a little grace.

Thank you!