Delicious & Easy M&M Brownies: The Ultimate Fudgy, Colorful Treat
There’s simply no denying the irresistible allure of a perfectly baked brownie. For many, including myself, brownies stand as the quintessential dessert. Our kitchen has been a testing ground for countless variations, from the simple yet classic Homemade Brownie to elaborate creations like rich Peanut Butter Stuffed Brownies. The truth is, when it comes to a dense, fudgy chocolate treat, you really can’t go wrong.
While a store-bought mix can be a convenient option in a pinch, there’s a unique satisfaction that comes with crafting homemade brownies from scratch. Surprisingly, it takes only about five minutes of active prep time and requires just a handful of common ingredients. This minimal effort truly pays off in a superior flavor and texture that’s hard to beat.
These M&M brownies elevate the classic chocolate treat with a vibrant burst of color and an extra layer of chocolatey goodness. Loaded generously with M&M candies, they become not just a dessert but a festive centerpiece, perfect for parties, gatherings, or simply brightening any ordinary day. The versatility of M&M’s allows for endless customization – choose seasonal M&M’s for holidays, select specific colors to match a sports team’s theme, or create a custom palette for baby showers and birthday celebrations. The possibilities are as colorful as the candies themselves!
Crafting the Perfect M&M Brownies: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Making these delightful M&M brownies is remarkably straightforward, even for novice bakers. While you could certainly use a box mix as a shortcut, preparing them from scratch offers an unparalleled depth of flavor and texture. Here’s how you can achieve truly fudgy, homemade M&M brownies with minimal effort:
- **Prepare Your Pan:** Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Alternatively, butter and flour the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- **Melt and Combine:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted unsweetened chocolate with the vegetable oil. Stir them together until they are beautifully smooth and well-incorporated. This forms the rich, chocolatey base of your brownies.
- **Sweeten and Enrich:** Next, add the granulated sugar and eggs to the chocolate mixture. Whisk vigorously until the eggs are fully incorporated and the mixture is lightened slightly and glossy. It’s important to mix until no visible streaks of egg remain.
- **Fold in Dry Ingredients:** Gently stir in the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix just until the flour is incorporated and no white streaks are visible. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher brownies. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
- **Integrate the M&M’s:** Now comes the fun part! Fold in about half to two-thirds of your M&M’s until they are just evenly distributed throughout the batter. Overmixing here can cause the colors to bleed.
- **Bake to Perfection:** Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s over the top for an extra pop of color and candy coating.
- **Oven Time:** Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. You’ll know they are ready when the edges begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan, and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Remember, slightly underbaked is key for that desirable fudgy texture!
- **Cool Completely:** This step is crucial for perfect slicing and ultimate fudginess. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to cut them. Patience is a virtue when it comes to rich, fudgy brownies.
See? With just about six ingredients and roughly five minutes of hands-on prep, you can create a batch of extraordinary homemade brownies. When using a box mix, you still have to measure liquids and oils, so the added steps for making them from scratch are truly minimal, yet the reward in flavor and texture is immense.
Melted Chocolate vs. Cocoa Powder: The Secret to Fudgy Brownies
A common question among brownie enthusiasts is whether to use melted chocolate or cocoa powder. For truly rich and *fudgy* brownies, I consistently prefer using melted unsweetened chocolate. Here’s why this choice makes a significant difference:
- **Deeper, Richer Flavor:** Melted chocolate, especially unsweetened or dark varieties, offers a more complex and intense chocolate flavor compared to cocoa powder alone. It provides a full-bodied depth that truly sings in every bite.
- **Superior Fudginess and Density:** The fat content in melted chocolate contributes directly to the fudgy texture. This fat, combined with sugar and eggs, creates a dense, moist crumb that’s characteristic of the best fudgy brownies. Cocoa powder brownies, while delicious in their own right, tend to be more cake-like due to their lower fat content.
- **Velvety Mouthfeel:** The cocoa butter present in melted chocolate gives the brownies a luxurious, smooth mouthfeel that’s hard to achieve with just cocoa powder.
While melted chocolate is my go-to for these fudgy brownie recipes, I understand that sometimes you might only have cocoa powder on hand. Many cocoa powder containers offer substitution ratios for baking chocolate, so you can certainly use that as an alternative if needed. However, if that deep, dense fudginess is what you’re after, melted chocolate is the undisputed champion.
Unleashing Creativity: Can I Use Flavored M&M’s?
Absolutely! The beauty of these M&M brownies lies not only in their incredible taste and texture but also in their fantastic versatility. While I used classic plain M&M’s for the photos, almost any variety of M&M’s would be a phenomenal addition.
- **Peanut & Peanut Butter M&M’s:** These are personal favorites! The nutty crunch and savory-sweet flavor of peanut M&M’s or the creamy richness of peanut butter M&M’s create a delightful contrast with the fudgy chocolate brownie base.
- **Almond M&M’s:** For those who love a sophisticated crunch, almond M&M’s add a wonderful texture and a subtle nutty note.
- **Pretzel M&M’s:** If you enjoy the popular sweet and salty combination, pretzel M&M’s are an excellent choice. Their salty crunch provides a fantastic counterpoint to the rich sweetness of the brownie.
- **Caramel M&M’s:** While I haven’t personally tried them yet, I can imagine caramel M&M’s would be absolutely divine, adding a gooey, chewy caramel surprise to each bite.
- **Seasonal & Limited Edition M&M’s:** Don’t hesitate to experiment with holiday-themed M&M’s or limited-edition flavors that catch your eye. They’re perfect for adding a festive touch or a unique twist to your brownies.
If you’re looking for an exciting new way to dress up your favorite brownie recipe, these M&M brownies are guaranteed to be a hit. They’re incredibly easy to make, packed with intense chocolate flavor, and boast that perfect fudgy texture. A batch of these colorful, candy-studded brownies is always a good idea!
Explore More M&M Dessert Recipes
If you love the playful addition of M&M’s to your desserts, you’re in luck! These colorful candies can transform a variety of treats into something truly special. Here are some other fantastic M&M-infused dessert recipes you might enjoy:
- M&M Chocolate Oat Bars: A chewy, wholesome, and chocolatey treat.
- M&M White Chocolate Fudge: Creamy, sweet fudge dotted with crunchy M&M’s.
- Double Chocolate M&M Cookies: For the ultimate chocolate lover, these cookies are packed with M&M’s.
- Loaded Chocolate Cookie Pizza: A giant cookie pizza adorned with various candies, including M&M’s.
- Christmas Magic Cookie Bars (use any color M&M’s): A delightful layered bar dessert, perfect for customization with M&M’s for any occasion.
- No Bake Monster Cookie Bars: A quick and easy dessert, loaded with oats, peanut butter, and M&M’s.
M&M Brownies
Erin Sellin
5
25
30
12
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Ingredients
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2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted -
1/3 cup vegetable oil -
1 cup granulated sugar -
2 whole eggs -
3/4 cup all-purpose flour -
1/2 teaspoon salt -
3/4 cup M&M’s, divided
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350º F. Line an 8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper or butter and flour well.
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In a bowl mix together melted chocolate with vegetable oil until well blended.
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Add in eggs and sugar and mix until eggs are fully incorporated.
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Stir in flour and salt until flour is just incorporated and no white streaks remain.
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Fold in 1/2 cup M&M’s.
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Pour into prepared baking dish.
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Sprinkle remaining M&M’s evenly over the top.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges start to pull away from the sides and a tester comes out mostly clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
5
25
30
Dessert Recipes
American
12
252
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