Name: M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
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

There’s just something magical about a rich, chewy brownie speckled with colorful candy, and that’s exactly what you get with this M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe. The fudgy texture combined with the sweet crunch of M&M’s makes it a crowd-pleaser every single time.

A stack of three thick, dark brown brownies with a moist and slightly crumbly texture is shown, each piece studded with pink and red candy-coated chocolates. The top brownie has a bite taken out of it, revealing the rich and soft inside. The brownies sit on a crinkled white paper surface with scattered pink, red, and white candy chocolates around. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with similar pink and red candy pieces and a tall glass of milk, all set on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I adore these brownies because they strike the perfect balance between decadent fudginess and playful bursts of chocolatey crunch from the M&M’s. Every bite feels like a little celebration in your mouth, which makes baking them a total joy—especially when sharing with friends or family.

Ultra Fudgy Texture: Thanks to the melted butter and chocolate base, these brownies stay moist and dense, avoiding that cakey disappointment.
Colorful Crunch: The M&M’s on top not only add flavor but also a vibrant pop that makes the brownies look festive and fun.
Simple Ingredients: Using common pantry staples means you can whip these up any time with no last-minute store runs.
Perfect for Gifting or Parties: These brownies always disappear fast, but trust me, you’ll want to keep a batch for yourself too!

The image shows a batch of chocolate brownies cut into squares, placed on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. The brownies have a rich, dark brown color and slightly cracked tops. Each brownie square is decorated with scattered colorful candy pieces in shades of red, pink, and white, some candies are slightly cracked but still whole. Two brownie squares are separate from the main batch, placed diagonally beside it. Around the brownies, a few loose candies in matching colors are scattered randomly on the parchment and marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe lies in the rich combination of butter, chocolate, and cocoa powder, which come together beautifully for the fudgiest texture. Each ingredient plays a vital role, from sweetness to depth of flavor.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter, chopped pieces of semi-sweet chocolate, a small white bowl filled with light brown sugar, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, four whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl with Dutch process cocoa powder, a pinch of salt in a tiny white bowl, a small white bowl with vanilla extract, a small white bowl containing all-purpose flour, a handful of colorful M&M chocolate candies scattered naturally, all arranged symmetrically in simple white ceramic bowls and directly on the surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: It provides that luscious, creamy fat which keeps the brownies tender and moist.
Semi-sweet Chocolate: Melting this with the butter builds a deep chocolate base that makes these brownies extra rich.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note enhancing the overall flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp top crust.
Large Eggs: These bind everything together and add to the fudgy texture if used at room temp.
Dutch Process Cocoa Powder: This will deepen the chocolate flavor without making it bitter.
Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the chocolate flavors.
Vanilla Extract: A splash enhances all the chocolatey goodness with warmth.
All-purpose Flour: Just enough to hold the brownies together without making them cakey.
M&M Chocolate Candies: These are the star crunchy bits that add bursts of sweetness and color.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I usually stick with classic M&M’s, but sometimes I swap in peanut M&M’s for a nutty twist or sprinkle extra chocolate chips inside for an ultra-chocolate overload.

Variation: I tried using a pinch of cayenne in the batter once for a subtle hint of warmth that surprisingly paired well with the sweet candies. Totally worth experimenting with!
Dietary Swap: For a gluten-free version, swapping the flour with a gluten-free blend works well, just watch the baking time closely as it might change slightly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe

Step 1: Preparing the Pan With Care

Always start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then, spray the bottom of your 8 x 8 baking pan with non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper. Let the parchment hang over the sides for an easy way to lift the brownies out once they're baked — trust me, this makes clean-up and slicing a breeze!

Step 2: Melting the Butter and Chocolate

I love using a double boiler here to gently melt the butter, chopped semi-sweet chocolate, and both sugars together. Stir often so it melts evenly without burning. The mixture will look grainy but glossy — that’s perfect. Let it cool just a bit so you don’t scramble your eggs in the next step.

Step 3: Whisking in Eggs Until Shiny

Now, add your eggs one at a time, whisking well between each addition. I find this the trickiest part to get right: whisk until the mixture lightens in color and turns smooth and shiny. This step really helps develop that fudgy texture you're after.

Step 4: Adding the Dry Ingredients

Next, stir in the cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla extract until combined. Then gently fold in the flour with a spatula, mixing just until you see a few streaks left. Over-mixing here can lead to cakey brownies, and we want fudgy, right?

Step 5: Transfer, Top, and Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Now it’s time to sprinkle those colorful M&M’s all over the surface — I always save a few to press in gently on top for best results. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes; look for set edges and a toothpick inserted a couple of inches from the edge to come out with a few moist crumbs. Resist the urge to bake longer, or the fudgy texture will disappear!

Step 6: Cooling and Serving

Once baked, set the pan on a cooling rack and let the brownies cool completely before slicing. This wait is tough but crucial — cutting too soon can lead to crumbly squares. I like to use the parchment “handles” to lift the whole slab from the pan for easy cutting.

Top Tip

After making these brownies several times, I’ve learnt a few tips that make all the difference between just good brownies and truly show-stopping ones.

Use Room Temperature Eggs: This helps the batter emulsify better, giving you a smooth, shiny mixture before baking.
Don’t Skip the Double Boiler: Melting your butter and chocolate gently prevents graininess or burning, key for a fudgy finish.
Watch Your Bake Time: The brownies continue to cook slightly as they cool, so pulling them out when there's just a bit of moistness left on a toothpick keeps them perfectly fudgy.
Let Them Cool Fully: Patience here pays off – warm brownies are tricky to cut and tend to crumble.

How to Serve M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe

M&M's Fudge Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Whenever I serve these brownies, I like to add a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. Sometimes a scoop of vanilla ice cream right on the side brings the whole dessert experience to another level – the contrast between warm brownie and cold ice cream is divine.

Side Dishes

Pairing these M&M’s Fudge Brownies with a rich hot chocolate or a cold glass of milk is always my top pick. For parties, I sometimes set out fresh berries or a light fruit salad for a refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or celebrations, I’ve arranged the brownies on a colorful platter surrounded by mini M&M bags. For a fun twist, I also love cutting them into bite-sized squares and serving them on a stick like brownie pops, which are a hit with kids and adults alike!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, I store these brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay moist and fresh for up to four days—though in my house, they rarely last that long!

Freezing

If I’m making extras, I freeze the brownies whole or cut into squares wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. They freeze well for up to two months and thaw overnight in the fridge with no loss of texture or flavor.

Reheating

To bring frozen or refrigerated brownies back to life, I pop a piece into the microwave for 10-15 seconds. It’s like fresh-baked magic with melty chocolate and soft edges again—perfect for a quick treat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch process?

Yes, although Dutch process cocoa powder gives a smoother, less bitter chocolate flavor, you can substitute it with regular cocoa powder. Expect a slightly more acidic flavor but it will still taste delicious.

How do I know when the brownies are done?

Look for edges firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted about two inches from the pan’s side to come out with a few moist crumbs attached—not wet batter. This ensures fudginess without drying out.

Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans are a classic addition that gives a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor. Just fold about half a cup into the batter before baking.

Why is my brownie cakey instead of fudgy?

Over-mixing the batter or baking it too long are the usual culprits. Mix just until the flour is incorporated and watch your baking time carefully. Remove from oven when a toothpick has moist crumbs, not dry crumbs.

Final Thoughts

This M&M's Fudge Brownies Recipe is one I return to again and again because it delivers that classic, rich chocolate indulgence with a fun twist. Whether it’s an everyday treat, a birthday dessert, or a surprise for friends, these brownies bring smiles and comfort in every bite. I can’t wait for you to experience how straightforward yet spectacular these can be – I’m cheering you on from my kitchen!