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M&M’s Brownies

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M&M’s Brownies are rich, fudgy, and loaded with colorful candies.  This is the perfect homemade brownie recipe for weeknight desserts, birthday parties, or lunch box snacks.

Six M&M's Brownies stacked on top of each other on a tray

Want to know what my favorite dessert is at the moment?  Brownies!  Not just any brownies though…brownies loaded with M&M’s candies.  Those colored chocolates have been my favorites for years!

Last year I loaded up these M&M Blonde Brownies with the fun colored candies, and they have been one of my most popular recipes.  Easy, simple, and totally delicious!

That got me thinking that it would be fun to make a chocolate blonde brownie.  Then I realized that is just a classic brownie.  LOL!

Three m&m's brownies stacked on top of each other on a tray with more brownies around it

I used the same recipe to make these brownies, only I gave it a dark chocolate make over!  Almond extract gives it a slightly different, but amazing flavor.  

Seriously, I LOVE almond extract, but if you do not care for it, please use vanilla!  

Lots of of colorful candies inside and on top of the M&M’s brownies gave them such a fun flair.

Both my husband and mother-in-law said I should have left the candy off…but don’t listen to them!  I’m pretty sure they are aliens, because who wouldn’t want a brownie loaded with candy?!?!?!

Four m&m's brownies stacked on top of each other on a tray

The best part about these M&M’s Brownies is that you can change out the candies based on the season. Use pastel M&M’s for Easter or red, white, and blue M&M’s for Fourth of July. Or buy specific colors to match a birthday party or baby shower.

How to make M&M’s Brownies:

  1. Beat the softened butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and extract and beat again.
  2. Stir in the dry ingredients until a soft brownie batter forms.
  3. Add M&M’s and stir gently.
  4. Spread in a greased pan and top with more M&M’s.
  5. Bake and cool.

Recipe Variations:

  • Swap out the M&M’s for a different candy.  Reese’s Pieces would be awesome in these too. Any chopped candy bar would work too.
  • Use a mixture of different chocolate chips instead of the candy.
  • Stir in your favorite chopped nuts to add a fun and delicious crunch.

A parchment paper lined tray with squares of M&M's brownies scattered on it

Serving Suggestions:

Can you freeze these brownies?

Yes.  Let them cool completely, then wrap the entire pan or individual brownies in plastic wrap and foil.  Freeze for up to 3 months.  Thaw on counter before serving.

CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

Four m&m's brownies stacked on top of each other on a tray with more brownies around it

More brownie recipes:

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M&M’s Brownies

M&M’s Brownies

Yield: 24 brownies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes

M&M's Brownies are rich, fudgy, and loaded with colorful candies.  This is the perfect homemade brownie recipe for weeknight desserts, birthday parties, or lunch box snacks.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1-2 teaspoons almond extract (see note below)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 cups mini M&M's candies, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
  2. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and extract and beat again.
  3. Stir together the salt, baking powder, flour, and cocoa powder. Slowly beat into the butter mixture until combined.
  4. Add 1 cup mini M&M's and stir gently.
  5. Spoon into the prepared dish. Top with the remaining candies. Bake for 23-25 minutes.
  6. Remove and let cool completely before cutting into 24 squares. Store in a tightly sealed container.

Notes

**If you do not care for the taste of almond extract, you can use vanilla in place of it.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 204Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 104mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 2g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Jocelyn @ Inside BruCrew Life
Cuisine: American / Category: Brownies & Bars
Two pictures of M&M's Brownies collaged together with a white text box

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  • Ok I tried this recipe. I followed it to the letter. It was a thick crumbly dough. Is the recipe correct?

    Reply

    • Yes, the recipe is correct. You should have had a batter that resembles a brownie batter, not a crumbly dough. Are you sure you didn’t miss an ingredient? Also how soft was your butter?

      Reply

  • Yuck! If I knew the almond extract was going to taste so…yuck…I wouldn’t have used it. It took over the taste of the brownie and nobody in my family could eat them. It might be an alright recipe without the extract but I won’t try it again. They look amazing in the picture and even when I baked them they did; but the taste left a little something to be desired.

    Reply

  • Made these last night and they are delicious!! We used vanilla but that was just a personal preference. Thank you so much for the fantastic recipe 🙂

    Reply

    • I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy the almond extract. Definitely bump it down to 1 teaspoon next time, or change it out for vanilla if you like. I hope you still try them again!!!

      Reply

      • Hello!
        I also found the almond extract overpowering, but otherwise loved these brownies! I was wondering if you would recommend an equivalent measurement of vanilla, or if 1t. would prove sufficient? Thoughts? I’m making them again this weekend for a crowd!

        Thank you!

        Reply

        • I am so sorry to hear that. One quick question…are you using pure almond extract or an imitation almond extract? That’s the only thing that I think could be making the almond flavor in this recipe not right. I absolutely loved these with the extra almond, but that’s me. You can definitely change it out and use 2 teaspoons vanilla extract instead. I hope everyone enjoys these!

          Reply

  • First. I love these brownies!! And I’m glad you didn’t listen to family and kept those m&m’s on there. LOVE the little crunch of the candy coating with the brownies.
    Second. Yes you are old and probably shouldn’t be driving, LOL!!!!

    Reply

  • The first time I ever drove my SUV, I felt so tall and powerful! But yeah, it’s hard to adjust back. Being skittish at first is totally normal. It’s not old lady driving yet. 🙂
    These look really good. The perfect antidote for a nerve-wracking day of driving!

    Reply

  • Little, mini m&m’s are the BEST! For awhile they were hard to find (I even bought them by the pound at the supermarket bakery counter once when I was “desperate”!), but recently I have found them at both Target and my supermarket. 🙂 Unlike your alien relatives, I think the added crunch of m&m’s on top makes these brownies special!

    Reply
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