A deep dish brownie for one with a hidden peanut butter cup and toasted marshmallows on top
Because everybody knows I love to bake, I get asked all the time how I’m not fat. Portion control, really. I eat one or two (and maybe another) then give the rest away, usually to coworkers. It also helps that I scale down recipes to one or even half a dozen. But then there are times I want a sweet treat right now and don’t want to fuss with the mess or even just have the extra goodies over the weekend. Or maybe I get in one of those moods because tomorrow is Valentine’s Day aka Singles Awareness Day aka Why Are We Celebrating This Holiday Again (love should be celebrated all year round). Anyway, on occasion I make single serving desserts, like this S’mores Peanut Butter Cup Brownie. Because living alone means putting yourself first, including a break from social expectations (and for you Park and Rec fans – Treat Yo Self).
A few months ago, I read Ali’s Single series and felt inspired. Inspired enough to write this – there’s nothing wrong with being single. I’m tired of coworkers, friends, TV shows, movies telling me otherwise. I’m not a damsel in distress nor am I broken. I’m just a young woman trying to figure out what to do with my life. Yes, I get lonely and question if I’ll ever fall in love, but you know what? That’s ok. I keep myself busy with this blog and I love it.
As a single young woman living in a small town where everyone is older and married, I’m often criticized about my lifestyle. Comments here and there about how I do nothing with my life, spending my nights and weekends sitting on the couch watching tv. That I need to find a man and sign up for online dating accounts. I actually had someone call me over to his desk to tell me how this radio ad for a singles dating website reminded him of me and that I should sign up immediately for it (not once did I ever complain to him about being single). Then there’s the comment where I said I was busy that evening and immediately one person went, “What are YOU doing that you’re ‘so busy’?” As if I’m forbidden to occupy my time because I’m not a parent (for the record, I had cookies to make for a friend).
So how does a lonely ol’ soul like me survive in a world of loving relationships? I’m blogging, which is growing beyond what I could imagine. Whether it’s cooking, baking, shooting, writing, editing photos, catching up on social media or all of the above, I’m not just “sitting on the couch.” On the weekends I’m either grocery shopping, traveling, or playing in the kitchen. Bottom line is I keep myself busy. It’s the only way to survive when loneliness starts creeping up. Plus blogging has brought me the best friends ever, so even though I’m physically alone here in PA, the out pour of love and care online is enormous.
I bet you want to know more about this single serving brownie, which combines three of my favorite things – chocolate, peanut butter, and toasted marshmallows. As you can see in the photo, I didn’t wait for it to cool down, so it’s one hot gooey mess. However, if you want a brownie texture, cool it completely before diving in.
With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, I used to care about being alone. Maybe it’s because I’m older or maybe because I realized there’s nothing wrong with being single, but I don’t care anymore. So instead of pouting about it, I decided to be my own Valentine with my don’t-have-to-share-brownie. Except my parents invited themselves up to my place this weekend, so technically I won’t be alone. And now I have to share my food.
Single Serving S'mores Peanut Butter Cup Brownie
Yield:
1
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Total Time:
30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 egg yolk
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- Splash of vanilla
- 1 peanut butter cup
- 2 tablespoons mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Have a one 6-ounce ceramic ramekin ready.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt together the butter and chocolate chips. Whisk in the sugar and cocoa powder. Beat in the egg yolk then whisk in the flour, salt, and vanilla.
- Spoon half of the batter into the ramekin. Add the peanut butter cup then cover with the rest of the batter. Bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Turn on the broiler. Add the mini marshmallows on top then broil until toasted. Cool 10 minutes then eat for a gooey texture or cool completely for a brownie texture.
Source: Adapted from Heather’s Dish
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If you liked this recipe, you may also like these recipes from me:
- Single Serving Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie
- One Serving Cherry Pie Ice Cream Sundae
- Pistachio Pudding For Two (From Scratch)
From others:
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Love this!! I would totally eat it while still warm and gooey as well.
Carla says
The best way!
Terri A says
Embrace your singleness! Don’t let anyone make you feel like its a bad thing. Do what YOU like to do when you want to do it. This brownie looks amazing and I believe I’ll be treating myself to one tomorrow because I love myself that much.
Carla says
True words spoken! I’ll have to keep reminding myself that.
Heather || Heather's Dish says
MIND = BLOWN. OMG the CHOCOLATE!!!
Carla says
:D
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Ok:
1. You know I (and a million other people) love you!!! It’s so insane how different small town and city living are: here I’m constantly criticized for being engaged at such a “young” age and people glorify being single, so it’s so weird to think that people give you a hard time about it! You keep strong and just keep being the amazing woman you are!
2.OH MY SWEET BABY JESUS! Those photos….I’m drooling. So good. peanut butter, chocolate, s’mores….alll things I love so much *getting choked up* *sob* *hiccup*
Carla says
For real! We should switch towns or coworkers or something haha P.S. When I made this, I thought “this has Kayle’s name on it.”
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
bahahaa yesss it does!!
Marisa says
Um, yum!! This looks absolutely incredible. As for being criticized, people are gonna say stupid stuff no matter what your situation. The internet can be really cruel. You just keep doin’ you! :)
Carla says
Thanks Marisa. Although most of the people I see every day at work, so it’s a little harder to ignore ;) But I agree. They will talk no matter what.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
OMG, Carla, now I have to take my gluten free version of your little deep dish brownies and add Reese’s and marshmallows. It must be done and eaten immediately. Also, do you see the hidden chocolate heart that formed as you took out your spoonful in that one photo. Foodie love!!!
Carla says
Yes you do! You need to test it several times ;) And I didn’t notice! How awesome is that?
Kim@Treats & Trinkets says
Amen sistah! It seems like every single one of my friends is in a long term relationship/getting married/having kids and I don’t know if they think I’m getting left behind or what, but I had one sign me up for a dating site because she thought I was lonely, and two others that tried to force me go to speed dating. With my social anxiety, that would have been a painful and humiliating experience. People in relationships don’t seem to understand there is nothing wrong with being single. Period. End of story.
And being single means I don’t have to share this brownie and OH MY GAH THIS BROWNIE. I’m in love. Chocolate, peanut butter, and toasted marshmallows on top? GET IN MAH BELLY NOW PLZ
Carla says
Or your friends end a relationship and a week later are dating someone else. Like they are avoiding being single because they are just soooo bored and lonely. Dude, it’s barely been a week haha That’s ok – we have more freedom than they do ;)
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
This brownie! I need it! I love all things s’more! oh and there is NOTHING wrong with being single! I’m not single but we don’t have kids so I totally understand the judgmental questions (from a different angle) like we can’t be busy because we have kids… please… lol. hugs!
Carla says
Seriously. Everybody is busy in a different way (and we don’t have to change diapers ;) )
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Jesus Christ, I want to punch these people in the face. Who the heck do they think they are to be so harsh and judgy? Only you and I are allowed to be harsh and judgy! You should ask them back-handed questions like “how in the world are you still married?” Ugh. Gimme one or a dozen of these incredible s’mores peanut butter cup brownies! I wouldn’t wait for it to cool down later. It’ll simultaneously taste like the best thing in the world and fire on my tongue from the hotness, lol. And I agree with Angie’s comment. I’m married but don’t intend on ever having kids. You should hear all the comments I get. People just love to criticize how other people choose to live their lives. Happy Galentine’s Day and happy Singles Awareness Day, girl.
Carla says
I seriously need to remember that comeback next time. It’s amazing how many snide comments I get because I must be “soooo bored.” Don’t even get me started on everyone thinking I drive home to my parents every weekend like I’m in college. Oh yes, I love to waste 5 hours and gas each weekend. We need to start our harsh and judgy emails again ;)
Liz says
Oh, man, these look outrageously delicious!
Carla says
Thanks Liz!
Anita at Hungry Couple says
Good for you! There’s nothing wrong with being single or not single or any other state that’s correct for your life right now. Make yourself happy first and always. Of course, if you were to make two of these brownie treats and bring one over to me, we could be each others Valentines. :) By the way, ‘single awareness day’ is funny but not being single doesn’t always mean you get stuff on Valentine’s Day because men can be…..men!
Carla says
Or in my case, being single may mean having two packages show up with a third one on the way without saying anything to anyone about Valentine’s Day. I bet I’m luckier than most couples this week!
Mimi @ Culinary Couture says
S’mores, peanut butter cup, and brownie all in one! OMG. I’m glad I’m single so I won’t have to share this with anybody!
Carla says
That’s the bright side :)
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
I think you should have punched your coworker in the nose. Gooey brownies are the best!
Carla says
Ha best comment ever.
Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
It sounds like you are at such a great place of happiness and still openness…I’ve known too many single people who are bitter and fail to enjoy the beauty of it – beauty like no-share desserts! This is so fantastic!
Carla says
I used to be bitter and miserable about it, but then I realized I wasn’t pleasant to be around at all. Plus the negative thoughts were getting a bit too negative in my head, so I needed a change. Embracing the freedom and “extra time” as a single really changed my life around. Plus no sharing desserts ;)
Susan says
Booo for sharing. Boo for letting this cool. I’m with you, there is no way I’d let this melt. Also if we come home for dinner tonight and Braden wants some dessert, I absolutely know what I’m going to whip up! Forget our tradition of ice cream sundaes. Hot s’more pb cup brownies it is! Also you are doing the right thing ignoring everyone. It’s none of their business, they don’t know what goes on behind the scenes and they don’t need to know.
Carla says
Who says you couldn’t put ice cream on top and still have your sundaes ;) And you’re right – they have no clue what goes on.
ATasteOfMadness says
I am all about singe serving desserts. I have only made one once, but it was great! This looks fantastic!
Carla says
Thanks!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
I need.
Carla says
Me too (again)
Lauren says
I am also single.. and that is all I hear about: my family is constantly telling me that I need to do online-dating, that a man and relationship will solve all my problems… and that especially since I am domestic, work a job, and workout, that I ‘should’ be a with a man who can appreciate my domesticity…
I don’t know about you, but I kind of like not sharing my desserts some days. And i kind of like having breakfast for dinner some days.
Carla says
Ugh you poor girl. Fortunately my parents don’t say anything about it and support me in whatever I do (even though they don’t “get” blogging but are happy to eat the leftovers). I’m not a huge breakfast person, but I do eat eggs and bacon for dinner sometimes ;)
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Why are people so dang mean? I mean, mind your business, folks. I’m married and don’t celebrate. Being married doesn’t mean you can’t have your own life and hobbies. I keep myself busy with my site, and I love it. I’m forever craving sweet chocolate goodies, and, even better, a treat that can be whipped up in no time.
Jeni in Maine says
You reminded me of when I was working in an IT shop where we had all been notified we’d be laid off when our office moved several states away (unless we took a position in the new location). I tend to be the kind of person who is sure there’s got to be a pony somewhere in that big pile of horse manure, and among my coping mechanisms was organizing workshops with my fellow ITers for resume-writing and knowledge-exchanging.
One of my less optimistic co-workers gave me a hard time, saying I had it easy because I didn’t have a spouse and kids depending on my soon-to-be-disappearing salary — all I had to think about was myself.
I laughed. “I have it easy? At least you have a spouse, someone who can potentially get a job to help pay the bills, someone with whom you can share the emotional burdens of being laid off, and if you lose your house, having kids guarantees you’ll find shelter someplace. Me? I got no one. No shoulder to cry on and nobody to chip in a few bucks, so if I can’t pay my mortgage I’ll be on the street.”
Gee. He had never thought about it that way. I felt like adding, “Tell me again how selfish single people are. All you want to do is throw a pity party, and I’m trying to make sure we will all be more employable when this whole thing is over. ”
Anyway, more to the point: I love your recipes. Thanks!!!
Carla says
I just want to give you a big hug! I remember one time my previous company was contemplating moving our new training center to a new city, meaning all of us would have to relocate. My boss and I were talking, and he talked about how I would have it easy since I would just move to the new location. Um excuse me? Just because I’m single doesn’t mean I’m going to magically get up and move to where we are going, not to mention I’m still under contract with my landlord. All because I didn’t have a husband and kids to worry about. A lot of my coworkers didn’t know how to handle me because they were all very traditional and weren’t used to an independent lady living on her own without family near by (and even though now I live closer to family, I still support myself without anybody’s help). High five to us single ladies making it in this world :)
Jeni in Maine says
Yes: “easy” is a relative term. It’s more like “different,” as in “you have different worries!”
I’m married now, but I was widowed for ten years, and i know that life being what it is, I could be in that position again. Nothing is forever, except the love of God. And I tend to relate better to single women than married ones, especially married women who seem to love to complain about their husbands. :-)
Hugs back at ya!
Carla says
Exactly. Maybe I don’t have to deal with hectic schedules or feeding picky eaters, but I do have my own struggles. Wish more people understood that :)