Introduction

These M&M’s brownies combine rich, fudgy chocolate with colorful candy pieces for a fun twist on a classic dessert. Perfect for sharing or satisfying a sweet tooth, they offer a delightful balance of texture and flavor. Let’s bake up a batch that’s as playful as it is delicious.

A square chocolate brownie cut into nine equal pieces is shown, each piece topped with colorful candy-coated chocolates in red, pink, and white colors, some slightly cracked. The brownie has a dark, rich, fudgy texture with a slightly cracked surface. The brownie rests on a sheet of white parchment paper placed on a white marbled surface. Scattered around the brownie and on the surface are additional candies matching those on the brownie. In the top left corner, a white bowl filled with the same colorful candies is partially visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups (285 g) unsalted butter
2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 cups (300 g) light brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup (100 g) Dutch process cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cups (95 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
2/3 cup M&M chocolate candies

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray the bottom of an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with non-stick baking spray and line it with parchment paper. Let the parchment hang over the sides by an inch or two to help lift the brownies out later.
Step 2: Melt the butter, chopped chocolate, and both sugars in a heat-safe bowl over a double boiler. To set this up, fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water and heat over medium-low. Place the bowl on top, making sure it doesn’t touch the water, and stir frequently until the mixture melts together into a grainy but glossy texture. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 3: Whisk in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Continue whisking until the batter lightens in color and becomes smooth and shiny.
Step 4: Stir in the cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 5: Fold in the flour gently with a large spatula until just a few streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to keep the brownies tender.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
Step 7: Evenly sprinkle the M&M’s over the top of the batter.
Step 8: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted about two inches from the side comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to maintain fudginess.
Step 9: Cool the brownies completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment paper and slicing into squares.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of regular and peanut M&M’s for a nutty twist.
For extra fudgy brownies, slightly underbake by removing them from the oven when a toothpick shows moist crumbs.
Try adding chopped nuts or a swirl of peanut butter before baking for added texture.

Storage

Store cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave to restore softness.

How to Serve

A group of nine square chocolate brownies sits on crumpled white paper on a white marbled surface, with two brownies separated from the group and slightly overlapping on the right side, showing rich, dark brown cracked tops. Each brownie is decorated evenly with red, pink, white, and light pink candy-coated chocolates embedded on the surface, some of which have small cracks, and extra candies are scattered around the brownies on the paper and marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch process?

Yes, you can substitute regular cocoa powder, but the flavor and color may be slightly different. Dutch process cocoa tends to produce a smoother, less acidic taste.

Can I replace M&M’s with other candies or chocolate chips?

Absolutely. Chocolate chips, chopped candy bars, or other colorful candies work well and can be customized to your preference.