The Ultimate Fudgy M&M Brownies: An Irresistible, Colorful Treat
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Prepare yourself for an extraordinary treat: these M&M Brownies are super fudgy, incredibly delicious, and burst with vibrant color and chocolatey flavor. They offer a delightful twist on the classic brownie, transforming a beloved dessert into something truly spectacular. Each bite promises a rich, intensely chocolatey experience, complemented by the playful crunch of mini M&Ms throughout. These brownies aren’t just a dessert; they’re a celebration! Their fun and festive appearance make them absolutely perfect for any occasion, from lively birthday parties to spooky Halloween gatherings. Best of all, they are remarkably easy to make, proving that exceptional flavor doesn’t have to be complicated.
Our M&M Brownies stand out for their luxurious, chewy, and deeply fudgy texture that brownie lovers dream of. The generous inclusion of mini M&M candies not only adds a wonderful textural contrast but also infuses each square with bursts of extra chocolate and a festive, eye-catching appeal. Forget the need for complicated kitchen gadgets; this recipe is designed to be effortlessly mixed together with just a hand whisk, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels. Whether you’re planning a special celebration, a birthday bash, or simply looking to add some sweet cheer to your Halloween table, these brownies are the ideal choice. Their rich flavor and fun presentation guarantee they’ll be a hit with everyone.
If you’re a fan of rich, chocolatey desserts, you’ll love exploring other variations. For more incredible brownie recipes, be sure to try our Espresso Brownies for a deep, sophisticated flavor, our bright and zesty Lemon Brownies for a refreshing twist, and our indulgent Dairy Free Brownies for an equally delicious, allergy-friendly option.
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WHY THESE M&M BROWNIES ARE A MUST-TRY
- Packed with M&Ms: Unlike other recipes, these brownies are generously loaded with mini M&Ms, ensuring a burst of candy-coated chocolate in every single bite. The vibrant colors and satisfying crunch elevate the entire brownie experience.
- Unrivaled Fudgy Texture: Achieving the perfect fudgy brownie can be a challenge, but this recipe delivers every time. These M&M brownies boast an incredibly rich, dense, and perfectly moist interior that melts in your mouth, completely free from any cakey dryness.
- Effortless and Crowd-Pleasing: This dessert is not only spectacular in taste and appearance but also incredibly simple to prepare. It comes together quickly with minimal fuss and is always a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for unexpected guests or planned parties.
ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT NOTES FOR PERFECT M&M BROWNIES
Understanding the role of each ingredient is key to baking these decadent M&M brownies. Here are some detailed notes on the key components you’ll be using. For a complete list of all ingredients and their exact measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located further down below.
- Butter: We start with melted butter, which is crucial for achieving that signature fudgy texture. Melting the butter with the dark chocolate creates a smooth, emulsified base that locks in moisture and richness. This step also contributes to the desirable crackly top of the brownies.
- Eggs: For the best results, it’s essential to use room temperature eggs. Taking them out of the fridge approximately an hour before you plan to start baking allows them to incorporate more evenly into the batter, creating a smoother mixture and contributing to a superior texture and lift in your brownies.
- Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: The quality of your chocolate makes a significant difference. I highly recommend using a good quality dark chocolate, preferably around 54.5% cocoa. This specific percentage strikes the perfect balance, ensuring a rich chocolate flavor without being overly bitter. Avoid using chocolate that is too sweet or too intensely dark, as it can throw off the overall balance of the brownie.
- Cornstarch: This might seem like an unusual ingredient for brownies, but cornstarch plays a secret weapon role in creating an incredibly soft and fudgy texture. It works by subtly interfering with gluten development in the flour, preventing the brownies from becoming tough or cakey and instead promoting a wonderfully tender crumb.
- Cocoa Powder: For an unparalleled deep chocolate flavor and a beautiful dark color, I exclusively use high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa is less acidic than natural cocoa, resulting in a smoother, mellower chocolate taste. My personal favorite brand for exceptional flavor is Valrhona, but any good quality Dutch-processed cocoa will elevate your brownies.
- M&Ms: The star of the show! For this specific recipe, I prefer using mini M&Ms as they distribute more evenly throughout the batter and add a delicate crunch without overwhelming the fudgy texture. However, feel free to use regular-sized M&Ms if that’s what you have on hand. For an extra layer of flavor and a delightful surprise, you can also experiment with peanut butter M&Ms to introduce a subtle nutty note to your brownies.
- Granulated Sugar and Dark Brown Sugar: The combination of both sugars is intentional. Granulated sugar contributes to the chewy edges and a slightly crispy top, while dark brown sugar adds essential moisture, depth of flavor, and enhances the fudginess of the brownies due to its molasses content.
- Vegetable Oil (Canola or Avocado): A touch of neutral-flavored oil like canola or avocado oil adds extra moisture and helps keep the brownies tender for longer. It also contributes to the overall rich mouthfeel of the finished product.
- Vanilla Extract: High-quality vanilla extract is not just for flavor; it also enhances and deepens the chocolate notes in the brownies, bringing out their best characteristics.
- Instant Espresso Powder (Optional): While optional, a small amount of instant espresso powder will significantly intensify the chocolate flavor without imparting a coffee taste. It truly makes the chocolate sing!
- Salt: Don’t skip the salt! It balances the sweetness of the sugars and chocolates, elevating all the flavors and preventing the brownies from tasting flat.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS: CRAFTING YOUR M&M BROWNIES
Making these delicious M&M Brownies is a straightforward process that doesn’t require any fancy electric mixers. All you’ll need are a few basic kitchen tools: a large mixing bowl, a hand whisk, and a spatula. This simple approach ensures a rich, dense, and perfectly fudgy brownie every time.
Remember, the comprehensive full recipe with precise measurements and detailed instructions is provided below in the recipe card.
Before you begin mixing, ensure your oven is preheated to 160ºC (325ºF) in a conventional oven setting. Preparing your baking pan correctly is also essential: line a 20×20 cm (8×8 inch) square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This “sling” will make it much easier to lift the cooled brownies out of the pan for cutting.
STEP 1: Combine Dry Ingredients & Melt Chocolate. In a medium-sized bowl, carefully sift together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, instant espresso powder (if using), and salt. Sifting helps to remove any lumps and ensures these dry ingredients are evenly distributed, contributing to a smoother brownie batter. Set this bowl aside for later use. In a separate, microwave-safe bowl or a double boiler, melt the butter and semi-sweet dark chocolate chips together until smooth and fully combined. Once melted, transfer this rich chocolate-butter mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder and stir it thoroughly with your hand whisk or electric mixer until fully incorporated and the mixture is glossy and smooth.
STEP 2: Incorporate Sugars and Eggs. To the chocolate mixture, add both the granulated sugar and the dark brown sugar. Whisk these sugars into the chocolate until well combined, making sure there are no dry pockets of sugar. Next, crack in the room temperature eggs. This is a crucial step: whisk the eggs vigorously for 1-2 minutes. This aeration process helps to create the signature crinkly, glossy top that is characteristic of a perfect fudgy brownie. Don’t be shy with the whisking here!
STEP 3: Add Wet Ingredients & Fold in M&Ms. Pour in the vegetable oil and vanilla extract into the batter. Whisk until these ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth. Now, gradually add the reserved dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Gently whisk until *just* combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough brownies. Finally, add the bulk of your mini M&Ms (160g) to the batter. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold them into the brownie mixture until they are evenly distributed. This ensures they don’t break or sink to the bottom.
STEP 4: Bake and Cool. Carefully pour the rich brownie batter into your prepared baking pan, ensuring it spreads evenly to the corners. Use your spatula to smooth the top. For extra visual appeal and a delightful finish, sprinkle the remaining 50g of mini M&Ms generously over the top of the brownie batter before baking. Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes. Brownies can be tricky to tell when they’re done, but a good indicator is when the edges are set and a toothpick or butter knife inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the brownies cool down completely on a wire rack. This cooling process is vital for the brownies to set and achieve their ultimate fudgy texture. Avoid the temptation to cut them warm!
EXPERT BAKING TIPS FOR FLAWLESS M&M BROWNIES
- Embrace a Kitchen Scale for Precision: For all my recipes, especially baking, my default measurement is in grams. This is because using a kitchen scale offers unparalleled precision compared to volumetric measurements (cups). Grams ensure consistent results every time, eliminating variables caused by how ingredients are scooped or packed. Investing in a good digital kitchen scale is one of the best ways to elevate your baking from good to consistently great.
- Avoid Overmixing Your Batter: Once you’ve added the dry ingredients to the wet, it’s crucial to mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, chewy, and cakey brownies instead of the desired fudgy texture. To ensure everything is perfectly incorporated without overworking the batter, I always finish with a rubber spatula after using a whisk. Give the batter one final, gentle fold from the bottom of the bowl upwards to catch any hidden dry pockets.
- Choose the Right Baking Pan: Light vs. Dark: The type of baking pan you use significantly impacts the final texture of your brownies. For the absolute best results, I highly recommend using an aluminum baking pan. These pans are typically light in color, which means they reflect heat more effectively. This allows the brownies to bake more gently and evenly, leading to a softer, more uniformly cooked interior and edges. Always remember to grease your aluminum pan thoroughly and line it with baking paper. Conversely, dark-colored baking pans absorb more heat, leading to a darker, crispier crust and a higher risk of overbaking the edges, which can result in a dryer, less fudgy brownie.
- Cooling is Crucial: Patience is truly a virtue when it comes to brownies. Allowing your M&M brownies to cool down completely on a wire rack before attempting to slice them is non-negotiable. As the brownies cool, their internal structure sets, and the fudgy texture fully develops. Cutting them while warm can lead to messy slices and a less dense, almost crumbly interior. For ultimate fudginess and clean cuts, chilling them in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) after they’ve cooled to room temperature is even better.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT M&M BROWNIES
Knowing exactly when brownies are done can be tricky, as you want them fudgy, not overbaked. The best test is to insert a butter knife or a toothpick into the center of the brownies. If the knife or toothpick comes out with wet batter clinging to it, the brownies need another 5-7 minutes of baking time. However, if it comes out with moist crumbs (not liquid batter) attached, your brownies are perfectly done! Remember, brownies continue to set as they cool, so a slightly underbaked center will result in the most fudgy texture.
Absolutely, making these brownies a day ahead is an excellent idea! In fact, many brownie enthusiasts, myself included, find that these M&M brownies become even more incredibly rich and fudgy after spending a night in the fridge. The flavors meld beautifully, and the texture tightens up into that desirable dense, chewy consistency. Simply bake them, let them cool completely, then cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Slice them just before serving for the freshest experience.
For optimal results with brownies, I consistently recommend using a metal baking pan, particularly one made of aluminum. Metal pans, especially lighter-colored ones, are superior conductors of heat. They heat up quickly and distribute heat evenly, which is crucial for uniform baking and achieving those perfect chewy edges and a fudgy center. Glass pans, on the other hand, absorb heat more slowly but retain it for much longer. This can lead to uneven baking, with the edges potentially overbaking and becoming dry before the center is fully set. For the ideal M&M brownie, stick with a good quality metal pan.
HOW TO STORE YOUR DELICIOUS M&M BROWNIES
Proper storage is key to maintaining the incredible fudgy texture and fresh taste of your M&M brownies. Here are the two best options for storing them:
Fridge Storage: If you’re like me and adore a cold brownie, storing these in the fridge is a fantastic option. Chilling the brownies overnight or for several hours significantly tightens their texture, making them exceptionally dense and even more intensely fudgy. This also makes them remarkably easy to slice cleanly into perfect squares. They are truly excellent when made a day ahead and served cold. To store, simply cover the uncut brownies tightly in the pan with plastic wrap or transfer individual slices to an airtight container. When stored in the fridge, these M&M brownies are best enjoyed within 2-3 days for peak freshness and fudginess.
Room Temperature Storage: To keep your M&M brownies wonderfully soft and fudgy, storing them at room temperature is another excellent choice. The most important factor here is to ensure they are kept in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. To prevent the exposed edges from drying out, I highly recommend waiting to cut the brownies into individual slices until you are ready to serve them. Keeping them whole helps to lock in moisture. When stored properly at room temperature, these delightful treats will remain soft, chewy, and delicious for approximately 2-3 days.
Other Decadent Brownie & Dessert Recipes To Explore
- Gooey Pecan Pie Brownies with Brown Butter
- Brown Butter Hot Fudge Cake
- 25 Best Summer Dessert Ideas
- Cheesecake Chocolate Brownie
If you’ve baked these amazing M&M brownies and loved them, don’t forget to leave a STAR REVIEW to share your experience with other bakers! I love seeing your creations, so make sure to tag me on Instagram @juliemarieeats. For more delicious recipe ideas and baking inspiration, be sure to follow me on Pinterest.
M&M Brownies
Pin Recipe
Equipment
- 20×20 cm baking pan
Ingredients
M&M’s BROWNIES
- 90 g butter
- 150 g semi-sweet dark chocolate chips
- 35 g unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder
- 130 g granulated sugar
- 130 g dark brown sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 70 g vegetable oil canola or avocado
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 75 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 160 g mini M&M’s goes into batter
- 50 g mini M&M’s sprinkled on top
Instructions
M&M’s BROWNIES
- Preheat the oven to 160ºC /325ºF conventional oven. Prepare a 20×20 cm (8×8 inch) square pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, espresso and salt and set it aside.75 g all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Melt the butter and chocolate together. Once melted, pour it into a large bowl and add the cocoa powder and stir it together with a hand whisk or electric mixer.90 g butter, 150 g semi-sweet dark chocolate chips, 35 g unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder
- Then add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, and whisk it together.130 g granulated sugar, 130 g dark brown sugar
- Add the eggs, and mix until incorporated. Once incorporated, continue giving them a good whisk for 1-2 minutes.3 large eggs
- Then add the oil and vanilla extract and whisk until combined.70 g vegetable oil, 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the dry ingredients to the batter and gently whisk it together until combined. Finally add the mini M&Ms to the brownie batter and gently fold them in using a rubber spatula.160 g mini M&M’s
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan, and smooth it out with the spatula. Top of the brownie batter with the mini M&Ms.50 g mini M&M’s
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the brownie has set. You can test if it is done by inserting a butter knife into the middle of the brownie. If it has wet batter on it, give it 5 more minutes but if it has moist crumbs on the knife it’s done. Let it cool down completely on a wire rack, before serving.