There’s something undeniably magical about brownies fresh from the oven – that crackly top, the fudgy center, and in this case, the colorful surprise of M&Ms scattered throughout. These Easy Fudgy M&M Brownies combine the best of both worlds: the deep chocolate richness of a classic brownie with the playful crunch and color of everyone’s favorite candy-coated chocolates.
Perfect for bake sales, after-school treats, or simply satisfying that chocolate craving that won’t quit, these brownies strike the ideal balance between homemade goodness and fun indulgence. The best part? They come together in just 45 minutes from start to finish, making them an achievable treat even on busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This
- Simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry (plus M&Ms!)
- One-bowl mixing means minimal cleanup
- The perfect balance of fudgy interior and slightly crisp edges
- Customizable with seasonal M&M colors for holidays and special occasions
- Kid-friendly recipe that still impresses adults with its rich chocolate flavor
Ingredients
- 1½ cups white sugar, the regular granulated kind
- ½ cup powdered sugar, for that perfect texture
- 3 large eggs, straight from the fridge
- 1 egg yolk, for extra richness
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, for that fudgy texture
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup regular M&M’s
- ½ cup mini M&M’s
Instructions
- Turn your oven to 350°F and get it heating up. Take a 9×9 inch pan and give it a good coating of baking spray. Line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper, then spray again to make sure nothing sticks.
- In a bowl, whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt until they’re well combined. Set this aside for now.
- Using your mixer, beat both sugars, eggs, and the extra yolk on high for about 2 minutes until they’re really well combined and a bit fluffy.
- Pour in your melted butter, oil, and vanilla. Mix these in on low speed. Now gradually add your dry ingredients, mixing just until everything comes together – don’t overmix!
- Take the bowl off the mixer and fold in your chocolate chips and both sizes of M&M’s using a spatula. Be gentle but make sure they’re evenly distributed.
- Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan. If you want, sprinkle some extra M&M’s on top. Bake for 35-40 minutes – you want the edges set but the middle still a little underdone. It’ll finish cooking as it cools.
- Put the pan on a cooling rack and let it cool completely before cutting into squares. Patience is key here!
Tips & Variations
- For extra fudgy brownies, chill them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving
- Substitute different candies like Reese’s Pieces, chopped peanut butter cups, or chocolate chips for variety
- Add ½ cup chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for texture contrast
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, add 2 tablespoons of espresso powder to the batter
- Use holiday-colored M&Ms to make these seasonal for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or any celebration
- For gooey brownies, reduce baking time by 3-5 minutes (just ensure the center reaches 165°F for food safety)
Serving Suggestions
These brownies are perfect on their own, but for an extra special dessert, serve them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The contrast between the cold ice cream and warm, fudgy brownie creates an irresistible texture combination.
For a fun dessert bar idea, set out warm brownies with various toppings like caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and additional M&Ms so everyone can customize their own brownie sundae.
Notes
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week
- For clean cuts, use a sharp knife wiped clean between slices
- Brownies can be frozen for up to 3 months – wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag
- The center should be set but still slightly soft – brownies will continue to firm up as they cool
FAQs
Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
Yes! Double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Why did my M&Ms sink to the bottom?
Try tossing your M&Ms in a teaspoon of flour before adding them to the batter. This helps them stay suspended throughout the brownie instead of sinking.
Can I make these with a brownie mix?
Absolutely! Prepare your favorite boxed brownie mix according to package directions and fold in the M&Ms before baking.
How do I know when brownies are done without overbaking?
The toothpick test is key – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean (which means they’re overbaked) and not with wet batter (which means they’re underbaked).
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