M&Ms Brownies Recipe

Irresistibly Gooey M&Ms Brownies Recipe for Chocolate Lovers

Chocolate lovers find their ultimate bliss with M&Ms brownies that promise pure delight.

Sweet chunks of colorful candy peek through rich, fudgy layers of decadent goodness.

These brownies blend classic comfort with playful excitement in every single bite.

Breaking through a crisp chocolate surface to reveal melty, vibrant M&Ms scattered throughout.

Soft centers and slightly crackly tops create textural magic that makes people swoon.

Each square delivers a nostalgic punch of childhood memories mixed with grown-up chocolate intensity.

Grab a napkin and prepare for an irresistible chocolate adventure that will make everyone smile.

You won’t be able to resist these crowd-pleasing treats.

Questions People Ask About M&Ms Brownies

  • Why do I need to sift the dry ingredients?

Sifting helps break up any lumps in cocoa powder and flour, ensuring a smoother, more consistent brownie texture and preventing dry pockets in your batter.

  • Can I use different types of M&Ms?

Absolutely! You can experiment with peanut, pretzel, or caramel M&Ms to add unique flavors and textures to your brownies. Just keep the overall quantity the same.

  • How do I know when the brownies are perfectly baked?

Look for slightly crispy edges, a set center that’s not jiggly, and a toothpick with a few moist crumbs when inserted. Avoid overbaking, which can make brownies dry and tough.

  • What if I don't have parchment paper for the pan?

No worries! You can generously grease the pan with butter or cooking spray. The key is creating a non-stick surface so your brownies release easily after baking.

Why You’ll Love M&Ms Brownies

  • Burst of Colorful Candy: M&Ms add vibrant pops of color and chocolate crunch, transforming classic brownies into a playful, eye-catching dessert that delights both kids and adults.
  • Super Quick and Easy Prep: The recipe requires minimal steps and standard baking ingredients, making it perfect for beginner bakers or anyone craving a fast, delicious chocolate treat.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Chocolate Delight: These brownies combine rich, fudgy chocolate with sweet candy pieces, creating an irresistible dessert that's guaranteed to make everyone smile and ask for seconds.
  • Customizable Party Favorite: Easily swap M&M colors for seasonal themes or special occasions, turning this simple recipe into a festive, personalized treat for birthdays, holidays, or casual gatherings.

What You’ll Need For M&Ms Brownies

Chocolate Base:
  • Cocoa Powder: Rich chocolate flavor with deep color, best to use unsweetened dark cocoa for intense taste.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture to the brownies, standard bleached or unbleached works well.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, kosher or fine sea salt recommended.
  • Baking Powder: Helps brownies rise and creates light texture, fresh and unexpired powder essential.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds richness and moisture, unsalted butter preferred for better flavor control.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create smooth brownie texture, white sugar works best.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure, large room temperature eggs recommended.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to chocolate flavor, pure extract preferred over imitation.
Decorative Ingredients:
  • M&Ms, M&Ms (Chocolate Candies): Colorful chocolate candies that provide crunch and visual appeal, classic or peanut varieties work great.

Steps To Make M&Ms Brownies Easily

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grab your 8×8-inch baking pan and give it a generous spray of cooking spray or line it with parchment paper so your brownies slide out like magic.

Step 2: Create Buttery Bliss

Grab a mixing bowl and melt your butter until it’s silky smooth. Toss in the sugar and whisk them together until they’re best friends. Crack in the eggs and splash of vanilla, then beat until the mixture looks creamy and dreamy.

Step 3: Blend the Dry Wonders

Sift these ingredients into your wet mixture:
  • Cocoa powder
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Baking powder

Fold everything together with a gentle touch – you want them mixed, not beaten to death.

Step 4: Candy Explosion

Time for the fun part! Toss in your colorful M&Ms:
  • Most of the candies
  • Save a handful for topping

Fold those rainbow bits throughout the batter so every bite gets some chocolate magic.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms on top like delicious confetti. Slide into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check with a toothpick – you want a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the brownies chill in the pan for about 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely. Slice into squares and get ready for a chocolate party in your mouth!

Pro Tip: These brownies are even more incredible when served slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips To Make M&Ms Brownies Even Better

  • Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients to maintain a fudgy, tender brownie texture and avoid tough, dense results.
  • Customize M&M Selection: Choose seasonal or themed M&Ms to create festive brownies for holidays or special occasions, adding a fun personal touch.
  • Enhance Chocolate Intensity: Swap some granulated sugar with dark brown sugar to deepen the chocolate flavor and create a richer, more complex taste profile.
  • Perfect Cutting Technique: Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts for clean, precise brownie squares without crumbling.
  • Storage Hack: Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 weeks to enjoy later with maximum freshness.

How To Keep M&Ms Brownies Fresh Later

  • Refrigerate: Store cooled brownies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for a delicious treat later.
  • Reheat: Thaw frozen brownies at room temperature for 30 minutes. Warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore that fresh-from-the-oven softness and gooey texture.
  • Serve Chilled: Enjoy M&Ms brownies straight from the refrigerator for a cool, delightful dessert that keeps its rich chocolate flavor and colorful candy crunch.

Perfect Pairings For M&Ms Brownies

  • Pair with Creamy Milk: A cold glass of whole milk complements the rich chocolate brownies perfectly, balancing the sweetness of the M&Ms with its smooth, cool texture.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop a generous serving of vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm brownies, creating a delightful contrast between the hot, fudgy dessert and the cold, creamy topping.
  • Brew Bold Espresso: A strong shot of espresso cuts through the brownie's sweetness, offering a robust counterpoint that enhances the chocolate's deep flavor profile.
  • Serve with Chocolate Milkshake: A decadent chocolate milkshake doubles down on the chocolatey goodness, making this dessert experience extra indulgent and fun.

Fun Variations On M&Ms Brownies

  • Nutty Chocolate Blast: Replace half the M&Ms with chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch and rich nutty flavor.
  • Salted Caramel Dream: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the brownies after baking and sprinkle sea salt on top for a sweet-salty experience.
  • Peanut Butter Swirl: Melt peanut butter and create beautiful swirls throughout the brownie batter before adding M&Ms for an extra creamy texture.
  • Dark Chocolate Adventure: Use dark chocolate M&Ms and replace some cocoa powder with dark cocoa powder for intense chocolate lovers.
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M&Ms Brownies Recipe

M&Ms Brownies Recipe


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4.5 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Chocolate lovers rejoice with these irresistible M&M’s Brownies that blend rich, fudgy chocolate with colorful candy crunch. Sweet layers of intense brownie goodness and playful candy pieces make this dessert a crowd-pleasing treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup M&Ms (plus extra for topping)

Dry Ingredients:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder

Flavor Enhancer:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and coating an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray or parchment paper for effortless brownie removal.
  2. Create a silky base by thoroughly blending melted butter with granulated sugar using a whisk. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until the mixture transforms into a smooth, uniform texture.
  3. Gently sift cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder directly into the wet ingredients. Fold the dry components carefully to maintain a light consistency, avoiding aggressive stirring that could toughen the batter.
  4. Distribute a generous portion of M&Ms throughout the chocolate mixture, ensuring colorful morsels are evenly suspended within the rich batter.
  5. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Artfully scatter additional M&Ms across the top, creating a vibrant, playful decoration.
  6. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should emerge with a few moist crumbs, indicating perfect brownies.
  7. Allow the brownies to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, which helps them set and makes cutting easier. Carefully transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing into delectable squares.

Notes

  • Prevent overmixing the batter to keep brownies fudgy and tender, stirring just until dry ingredients are incorporated.
  • Choose room temperature eggs to ensure smooth, even blending with other wet ingredients for consistent texture.
  • Customize M&Ms by using seasonal colors or specific color themes for holidays or special occasions, making the brownies visually appealing.
  • Enhance brownie richness by adding a small pinch of espresso powder to intensify chocolate flavor without creating a coffee taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
James Mitchell

James Mitchell

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Creation and Testing​, Fusion Cuisine​, Food Styling and Photography​, Culinary Education​

Education

Kendall College, Chicago, IL

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classic and modern cooking techniques, with a specialization in international cuisines.​

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Advanced Certificate in Gastronomy
  • Focus: In-depth studies of global food cultures, flavor profiling, and innovative recipe development.​

James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation. 

His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.

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