These brownies are rich, decadent, and lusciously sweet, with a fudge-like texture veiling a delicious combination of cranberry and chocolate, mixed with just a hint of molasses, courtesy of brown sugar. With the addition of marshmallows and a graham cracker topping, this is one dessert the entire family will love.
As a nice bonus, today’s brownies couldn’t be easier to make. We’re using a brownie box mix, and adding in things like brown sugar, whole cranberry sauce, and a graham cracker topping. Simply mix it all together, bake it the oven, and then prep the topping. Seriously, dessert it doesn’t get much easier than this.
These would be delicious paired alongside something like a Caramel Macchiato. If you really want to ratchet up the decadence, consider topping them with something like my Vanilla Bean Pudding.
Below, we’ll be covering the ingredients, along with several key substitutions, including milk and flour alternatives. I’ll also cover a couple of variations to help make today’s brownie cupcakes your own. Now, without further delay, let’s make some cupcakes.
Ingredient Checklist and Notes
- The Box Mix. Your preferred brownie mix is all you need. I’m using a fudge brownie mix.
- Milk. Whole fat milk is what you want to go with, as we want the added fat. Substitutes below.
- Flour. All-purpose flour is probably best for today’s recipe. Bread flour would result in a ‘hard’ and ‘dense’ brownie. Baking flour would probably work fine, thought it would result in a slightly ‘airer’ and more ‘cakelike’ brownie.
- Brown Sugar. I’m using dark brown sugar because it has more of that ‘molasses flavor’ that we’re looking for
- Butter. As usual, I highly recommend using unsalted butter for the purposes of today’s recipe. Be sure to let it soften before using.
- Eggs. Not a whole lot to say here, other than these help bind it all together and add fat for moisture and flavor.
- Graham Crackers. Not a whole lot to say here, just simple graham crackers.
- Mini Marshmallows. For a bit of fun, while adding sweetness and decadence. Feel free to chop up standard marshmallows if those are all you have on hand.
Substitutions
- Brown Sugar Substitutes. There are a couple of ‘okay’ substitutes. The best substitute is molasses. Simply mix a teaspoon of molasses with a quarter of a cup of white sugar, and use that in place of the brown sugar. The next best substitute is maple syrup. Mix a teaspoon of maple syrup mixed with a quarter of a cup of white sugar. In both cases, stir until combined, and then use that in place of the brown sugar. Coconut sugar is also a decent substitute for brown sugar. Use that at a one-to-one ratio.
- Milk – Lactose Free Substitutes. Any plain, full-fat milk substitute. No sweeteners, no flavors, no reduced fat. I would stick with plain soy or almond milk, as these are the most flavor neutral milk-substitutes. Use them in the same quantity as whole milk.
- The Flour. Almond flour or brown rice flour can stand in for wheat flour. Brown rice flour, in particular, doesn’t have a strong flavor, and has a powdery texture similar to wheat flour, making it a good choice for most baked goods.
- Graham Crackers. Remember that Graham Crackers are just cookies, and so anything with roughly the texture of graham crackers will work. Yes, you could make a crust out of chocolate chip cookies, Oreo wafers, or gingersnaps. Conversely, ice cream cones, pretzels (the salt contrasts deliciously with the sweetness of the cheesecake) or even macaroons would all make delicious crusts. The process remains entirely the same, as do the measurements.
Make Them Your Own
Ice Cream. Naturally, today’s brownies would be delicious with ice cream. Personally, I prefer homemade ice cream – and so should you. For a super simple, no churn recipe, checking out my Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
Caramel. If you topping today’s brownies with something like whipped cream, jarred frosting, or ice cream, go the extra mile and drizzle it with some caramel. Grab my recipe for Homemade Caramel.
Rum Sauce. Chocolate and rum. Need I say more? Grab the recipe for my Rum Sauce, and simply drizzle that over the brownies, or bake it in.
Smores Cranberry Cupcakes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 dozen 1x
Ingredients
- 1 box of fudge brownie mix
- 14 oz. can of whole cranberries
- 1/2 cup of walnuts - chopped
- 1/2 cup of flour
- 4 tbs. of unsalted butter - softened
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows
- 1/4 cup of whole milk
- 2 eggs
For the Topping:
- 4 tbs. of unsalted butter - softened
- 6 sheets of graham crackers
- 3 tbs. of brown sugar
Instructions
- Place the butter, graham cracker sheets and brown sugar for the topping in a food processor and process until crumbly.
- Preheat Oven 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl combine the brownie mix, cranberry sauce, milk, eggs, brown sugar, flour and butter.
- Mix until well combined.
- Add the chopped walnuts and mini marshmallows and stir.
- Place the cupcake liners in the cupcake pan and fill with the batter.
- Top with the graham cracker mixture.
- Bake 18 – 20 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Chiara says
Oh Catherine you had a wonderful idea, a dessert light and tasty at the same time !I'm always on diet..Have a good day my dear, blessings, xoxo
sandie says
Now that looks like a great combination to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YUM!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
So moist and gorgeous! A great recipe, Catherine.
Comedy Plus says
I'm having my morning coffee and I'd bet these would go very well with my coffee. Yummy.
Have a fabulous day Catherine. Big hugs. 🙂
Ginny Hartzler says
Gosh, I would never have thought of such a thing. You are so creative!
Dottie Sauchelli Balin says
Dear Catherine,
I just found a box of Brownie mix yesterday as I was looking in my pantry. I said to myself, I feel like brownies, I have to make these this week.....low and behold you have a fabulous recipe for Cranberry Brownie Cupcakes. I don't think I have ever had cranberries mixed into a Brownie mix, so this will be a treat for me as I love both Brownies and cranberries. Thanks for sharing these delicious Brownie Cranberry Cupcakes. Have a blessed week ahead dear friend....
Dottie 🙂
Joyce says
That look so delicious. Great recipe.
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Big Daddy Dave says
Catherine, This is a great idea! Nice mix of ingredients... I wish I could eat a dessert every night but if I did, I'd have to give up everything else I like! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
rebecca says
these look wonderful and so moist
mia xara says
Cranberries and chocolate are perfect together! The brownies look delicious, Catherine! Have a great week, XO
Medeja says
I think chocolate and cranberry is a great combination of flavors 🙂
Choc Chip Uru says
I love fruit and chocolate together, especially tart cranberries! Delicious photos 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Julia @ Swirls and Spice says
What a clever and delicious way to use cranberry sauce! I'm pinning your recipe so I remember to try it!
Elisa-Viaggio e Assaggio says
I love this recipe Catherine 🙂
Pam says
It sounds great to have a dessert every night, I did growing up and miss that. Your brownies are very creative and original, Catherine. Chocolate and cranberries, great, a must try! And good that there's a brownie mix involved, making it easy and faster. Have a great week! Hugs
Kim says
These looks like a real delight!!!!
Foodie in WV says
I love that you use almond milk in these. My kids drink regular cows milk, but I only drink almond and coconut milk. Since I was little my stomach has been sensitive to milk. These look great, I could eat one right now 🙂
Dee says
Oh wow! These look so amazing! I really, really need to try this. Thanks so much for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday. 🙂
Stephanie says
Oh my, YES PLEASE!!! These look decedent! Definitely putting this recipe on my Must Make" list 🙂
Thank you, my dear, for sharing at Roses of Inspiration. Enjoy the remainder of your week!
claudia lamascolo says
I love that you used a mix a must try thanks sweet lady and Tammy I saw you posted some help in this one XOXO Hugs!
Cindy says
These look so good! I've pinned to give them a try.
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY.
Blessings,
Cindy
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas says
I love how tender and moist these are, great use of ingredients! Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
swathi says
Delicious cupcakes, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning.
Miz Helen says
Catherine,
These Brownies look so moist and delicious! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Beth says
These sound amazing! I love berries and chocolate, especially borwnies. I can't wait to make these!
Kitchen Mosaic Backsplash says
yummmmm...These cup cakes look out of this world!!! I can't wait to make your recipe, I can't wait...
Laura says
What a fun combination of flavours 🙂 Definitely one to add to the list of things to bake.
Marysa says
What a great combination of flavors. I don't use cranberries much, and your recipe is so unique.
Yeah Lifestyle says
Looks delicious! I bake with my kids often and am sure they would love making this over the weekend although I have a feeling most of the ingredients would get eaten before we bake them.
Jasmine Martin says
I never thought about combining cranberry and brownies into a cupcake before. I'm definitely going to have to try these out soon.
Jenna says
What a great way to amp up a brownie mix, love the additions!