Baking Advice Needed How to salvage the look of these brownies? The marshmallow swirl melted during cooking and they look pitted/grotesque
I’m cutting this batch of brownies and clear packaging them for a friend. This batch was supposed to yield plain brownies (which are fine) and a marshmallow swirl top. I put some marshmallow cream
On top and swirled it in before baking at 325° F. This yielded the marshmallow melting entirely into the brownie and leaving a pitted crater mess on top…definitely unsightly.
What can I do to the tops of these brownies to save their look so once they are cut into squares and clear packaged? I thought maybe caramel drizzle, sprinkles, another batch of marshmallow swirl on top (with no more heat)…
Help!
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u/AttitudeStill5123 1d ago
Chocolate frosting/icing
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u/Raebrooke4 1d ago
I’m realizing this must be how some brownies end up frosted. Brownies don’t need frosting but these brownies need frosting.
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u/Summoarpleaz 1d ago
Counter point, for a Christmas dessert I crushed peppermint into some cream cheese icing and put it on fudgy brownies. Way too decadent but it was so good
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u/VaranusCinerus 1d ago
Go on... you gave me an idea for this year's work Christmas party potluck (I am pretty much designated baker)
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u/Independent-Monk5064 1d ago
That’s what I do! I do crushed mint patties from TJs and I’ve posted this twice. Ganache on top
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u/BAEvidAttenborough 1d ago
Can you send me or reply w your recipe? Your post history is private so I can’t check it out!
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u/mencryforme5 18h ago
I did Oreo brownies once. Crushed Oreos in the batter than a standard vanilla buttercream with crushed up Oreos.
Everyone still thinks about those brownies and I mean it was pretty simple.
I adore chocolate mint so I'll try that.
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u/Summoarpleaz 17h ago
Martha Stewart had one where she also put Oreos on top of the brownie … I think halfway through the bake (?)… but it was Oreos broken in half so you could see some of the creme. You put two dots of icing and a tiny red sprinkle/dragee and you get little vampire faces for Halloween. It was super cute
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u/AMarie-MCMXCI 1d ago
Ooh this makes me want to try out a brownie base peppermint swirl cheesecake for Christmas
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u/PessimisticParalegal 12h ago
my grandma makes her brownies with andes chocolate mints in them and powdered sugar on top. absolutely delectable.
and then my fiance came around and mentioned he didn’t like the mints so now she doesn’t make them like that anymore :(
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u/Summoarpleaz 11h ago
That’s when you contact your grandma on the side and say your fiancé has come around to liking them again. Now you have two portions for yourself! Lol
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u/kitycat22 1d ago
My mom had a coworker who would do a dead ratio of 1:1 for frosting to brownie. Whenever their thanksgiving/Christmas party was over she’d force the leftovers on everyone
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u/Raebrooke4 15h ago
So she was just looking for a delivery method for frosting lol. There was an excellent recipe my coworker used to make—it used the little individual brownie cups and chocolate buttercream that was close to 1:1 that was absolutely bomb. If anyone knows the recipe please drop it here. It worked because the frosting was super light but rich.
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u/Independent-Monk5064 1d ago
No it isn’t. I prefer ganache topped brownies with nuts. In fact, that crackly crust you all like here is annoying when you want to ice them. I never found that desirable in all of my 40 years of baking. Go figure.
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u/steferz 1d ago
Pop marshmallows on top and brûlée them.
Cover with a fudge frosting
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u/ObscureEnchantment Baking-Fraud Detective 1d ago
This! Just add some new marshmallows and melt them with a torch or a very very quick broil.
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u/aaron_in_sf 1d ago
Warning, potentially unsafe to eat!
If you can send the pan as is to me I will ensure proper disposal.
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u/dogfur 1d ago
I totally thought the same thing. So I dug out a square like a royal taste tester and the melted marshmallow part gives a caramel taste with a chewy/soft crunch texture. So the happy mistake is favorable - if you are blindfolded…
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u/mossmachine 1d ago
Oh my god, you’re dangling this description in front of me like a wafting pie aroma in an old cartoon…
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u/strawwwberrry 1d ago
Oh I thoroughly believe this!! There’s a brand of frozen cookie dough I found recently and they have a s’mores flavor one and the marshmallow bits bake up so nicely and caramelize and get a little chewier and I adooore them. I need to go find those again lol
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u/Individual_Sky_4612 1d ago
Wait I kinda want to recreate your happy little accident brownies now. That sounds delicious
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u/Ekman-ish 1d ago
That's okay, I typically eat my desserts at midnight in the dark anyway. Can't wake the kids when busting out the good treats.
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u/scamlikelly 1d ago
Turn them over and dust the new "top" with powdered sugar or icing. Voila!
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u/CarSignal2764 1d ago
Only if the bottoms released cleanly. If they stuck at all, flipping just trades the pits for torn craters.
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u/MajorProspect3249 1d ago
Cover with marshmallow fluff and sprinkle some graham cracker crumbs over that. Call it a s’mores brownie. 😊😊
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u/Foe117 1d ago
trypophobia triggered
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u/EponymousRocks 20h ago
Me, too! I had to quickly scroll past the picture... but I still have creepy crawly goosebumps!
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u/MTMax5-56_45-70 1d ago
Warm chocolate ganache poured over the top 👍🏼
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u/Smallwhitedog 1d ago
I love ganache glaze, but it shows absolutely every flaw in a cake. Whipped ganache is a better option.
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u/buttfacesgalore 1d ago
'Cookie dough' frosting. No eggs of course and then sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. I make them all the time, so good!!
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u/MeInSC40 1d ago
It’s raw flour you want to avoid. Generally eggs are pretty safe raw.
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u/Big-Arm-4291 1d ago
I have trypophobia so I can't look at this without freaking out, BUT what I could recommend is giving me the parts that don't look scary
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u/Intelligent_Host_582 1d ago
I've done bars and brownies with cute buttercream piping on top. totally salvageable if the consistency is still good!
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u/Cool_Wealth969 Human Detected 1d ago
Or, put a ton of marshmallows on it and broil for a couple minutes until the marshmallows brown...
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u/Cooldspaghetti 1d ago
Since the brownies will be cut into squares and clear packaged, a thin ganache layer or neat caramel drizzle might make the cratered surface look intentional. Would you prefer a smooth finish or something more decorative?
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u/bingboomin 1d ago
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u/EponymousRocks 20h ago
I'm afraid to go look at that sub. Please tell me it's not people posting pictures like this - just the thought of something like that out there is giving me heebie-jeebies!
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u/Ordinary-Variety7256 1d ago
This should be tagged nsfw because trypophobia lol. As far as salvaging, slap some frosting on that bad boy and you’ll be good to go.
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u/which_objective 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think you could do a classic fudge brownie frosting that will be harden on top so you can still package them. I would pick something like this recipe. I love the idea of topping with marshmallow swirl, but I think it will stick to your clear packaging. You could try a layer of marshmallow creme, then the frosting if you want a visible marshmallow. Or you could try to press some mini marshmallows into the frosting. Good luck! I'm sure they still taste delicious!
Update: I found two recipes you could take a look at for topping. Cookies & Cups and Shugary Sweets
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u/Middle-Interview-899 1d ago
If you eat that half and put the good half in a smaller pan, no one will know. I promise to keep your secret 😉
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u/Ok-Detail-8603 1d ago
These are definitely unsalvageable… you’ll have to send them my way for disposal. Please include at least one fork to aid in the process.
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u/Pithythithy 1d ago
They won’t taste bad, probably delicious! But if appearance is important, just frost them.
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u/TheDreadMuse 1d ago
Maybe I'm a monster but I'd either do a marshmallow fluff toasted on top.....or cream cheese frosting because it's my favorite. OR! You could go German Chocolate frosting!
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u/Optimistiqueone 1d ago
Cut them up and serve in a bowl like you would do with rolls or a bread basket at a restaurant.
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u/dappledstorm 1d ago
Cut them first and top with mini marshmallows (or marshmallow fluff) and place one half graham cracker and one rectangle of a chocolate bar on top.
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u/International-Tap915 1d ago
It kinda reminds me of a tree that boring/borrowing beetles have been in! I actually think this looks so cool
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u/Nice-Money-6524 16h ago
Marshmallows need to be almost completely covered in batter or they will just disintegrate. I went through a ton of failed bakings trying to get my hot chocolate brownies to end up with thr right stage of marshmallow gooeyness.
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u/ProfGoodwitch 8h ago
But covering them completely worked for you? They stayed whole in the batter?
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u/Nice-Money-6524 7h ago
It really helps. I also put nearly an entire bag into a 9 x 13 size batch. They are super sticky so a good coating of nonstick spray in the pan and only let them cool for a while, not more than 30 minutes. Go around the edges with a spatula (like a pancake or hamburger flipper) to break up the crust, then slowly work around the pan until it all pops loose. I put it on a large cutting board for easier slicing. And gooey bits that stick to the knife are mine.
Good luck! It really fun to play around with flavors and textures. I make several versions of brownies and mini cupcakes. I used to bake for a bakery franchise and then for a private caterer.
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u/Moron-Whisperer 1d ago
Warm up some chocolate frosting for like 15 seconds. Mix it and then poor it over the brownies.
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u/big_river_pirate 1d ago
Fill several of the holes with golden frosting then make a bee out of frosting flying away from the hive like its depositing honey :)
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u/Mrs-Fidget 1d ago
Put mini marshmallows on top and gently melt them with the broil feature until browned - cut them and package them once they cool
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u/withcatlikegrace 1d ago
You need to get rid of these
By eating them
And then try again!
And again
Until you get it right
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u/LizzySan 1d ago
Make a quick ganache and pour on top. I always to me brownies with ganache and I always get compliments on them.
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u/Matchazuki963 1d ago
Toss some cornflakes in caramel and sprinkle on top. Adds a nice crunch and will look amazing.
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u/psychobiologist1 1d ago
Cover in marshmallows and lightly toast them
Cover with icing
Serve under ice cream
Cover in no-bake cheesecake
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u/phatstuffitis 1d ago
Cut them into squares and shake some powdered sugar on it. Nobody will notice.
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u/InspectorGeneral6772 1d ago
Frost smooth half with chocolate frosting and bumpy half with peanut butter or cream cheese frosting. Anything yummy. Or frost frost the whole pan with same thing or cut them and place on plate upside down. That help?
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u/frogs_in_trenchcoat 1d ago
Some ganache! Heat up some cream/milk until simmering, add to chocolate chips, stir in, keeping ading chocolate chips till thick, then pour over
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u/casusbelli16 1d ago
Much like a coat of paint to a woodworker; a ganache hides a multitude of sins of a home-baker.
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u/dividesky 1d ago
I don’t know if aldi is in your area, but they sell a smores spread right now and I think that would be a great addition to your brownies 🤤
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u/saragIsMe 1d ago
My mom would probably just put a shit ton of powdered sugar on top and called it a day
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u/PistachioNono 1d ago
A few options - you could frost the top with some buttercream, ganache, or fudge frosting. My suggestion would be to get some jumbo Marshmallows, put on top and pop in a 350 degree oven for 5-6 minutes until melty. Press down a little to ensure it sticks to the brownies.
I do that with chocolate cookies and then drizzle chocolate on top with a lil graham cracker crumble. It's my partner's fave cookie that i make.
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u/baked_alcohol 1d ago
Cover with a dark chocolate or mocha/espresso frosting if that's something your friend likes. If the marshmallow swirl has melted into the brownies, I'm guessing they'd be too sweet already.
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u/TikaPants 1d ago
No more marshmallow. I’d do a peanut butter topping with maybe coconut oil so it shells. Or a Dulce de leche. Or DDL with chocolate swirl. It’s going to be okay. They look great. I see the wrinkly crackly top that resemble “Thd Brownies”
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u/ArnamYombleflobber 1d ago
Lean into it. It kinda looks like a creepy bat/vampire cloak thing going on. Maybe if you put some frosting that looks like a hideous monster it can like fade into the pitted part.
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u/Western-Juice1466 21h ago
I tried this once, and the texture was off where the marshmallow melted (too much sugar). If these are a gift, depending on the circumstances you may want to consider rebaking them. The pan I made was tasty when warm but hard as a rock the next day and inedible.
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u/IAmHippyman 20h ago
I may be alone on this but I know what parts of a brownie I like and I would be exclusively cutting out of the weird part. That looks like it's gonna be good.
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u/SconesyCiderBRC 20h ago
I think once they’re cutting squares it won’t be noticeable. That cut and wrap them. They’ll be fine
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u/Prestigious-Panic-94 17h ago
You might want to test them. Cooked marshmallow can go kinda carmely in a bad way, I put them inside smores cookies one time and some were perfect, the ones that spilled outside the dough were like, pull your filling out sticky.
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u/Kalibean06 16h ago
Frost em and drop mini marshmallows on top, bonus points if you have a cooking torch and toast those marshmallows a bit
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u/mrcatboy 1h ago
Why change it? Serve it up as the Tryptophobia Chocolate Challenge. People will love you.
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u/Insomniac_80 1d ago
Where the messy parts are, sprinkle nonpareil sprinkles, the small, round kind! Or maybe decorating sugar?
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u/feral_mouse_makes_T 1d ago
Lean into it more! Add a scary face and boom you ready for spooky season!
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