These M&M Brownies use my best brownies in the world as the base, then get topped with frosting and M&M candies for the perfect dessert!
Okay, okay, I'll admit it. I'm horrible with remembering food holidays. Or any holiday in general. I get busy with life and completely forget about things until the last minute.
I realize this is not a good thing when you're a food blogger. I should be really on top of things given my profession. But I'm not. I can't help it. No matter how hard I try I still forget.
What's funny is I'll make recipes eons in advance for the blog, then completely forget about them. Time will pass and then I'll see other bloggers sharing holiday recipes and have that "oh crap, I forgot again" moment.
So either I'm a slacker, or I'm losing my memory in a big way. Both are possibilities. But I'm banking on memory loss. It runs in the family and I'm getting up there in age, man. I'm an old bat if you really think about it.
Luckily I'm total okay with the ageing process. Except for the memory loss. That blows. But everything else is pretty freaking great. You start to not give a rip about much of anything. I embrace that aspect of getting older.
I'll admit readily that I have to write every single thing down nowadays. If it's not written on my giant calendar in my kitchen it is not happening. It's just the way it is.
And let's just get this straight now, when I'm reading that giant calendar I'm wearing reading glasses. No lie, man. Strong ones. No joke. It is what it is.
So there you are. I'm old. I'm forgetful. My eyesight is shot to hell in a hand-basket. But at the end of the day I really don't give a rip. Not. Even. A. Wee. Bit. Life is good. I'm digging the hell out of growing older.
Yesterday when I realized Easter was coming this weekend I had a minor panic attack whether there would be any honey bee hams left to order. Then I ate some brownies to calm myself down. Then called them.
The good news is I scored a fabulous Honey Bee Ham for this weekend. Which is awesome because every member of this family can eat their weight in that stuff at one sitting. Not. Even. Kidding.
So the Beaulieu's will be noshing on Honey Bee Ham this weekend. Then scarfing copious amounts of these M&M Brownies for dessert. It's what we do on holidays. Basically we all eat until we can't move.
But luckily I'm old and forgetful, so an hour later I'm hungry again. See, there are huge perks to being forgetful. It means more ham, more smashed potatoes, more roasted carrots and more M&M Brownies. Score!
You can also find these M&M Brownies over at Food Fanatic. While you are there you can also peek at my Chocolate Caramel Hot Cross Buns.
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M&M Brownies
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk chocolate M and M candies
For the Frosting:
- ¼ cup milk chocolate chips melted and cooled
- 1 cup butter
- 3 cups confectioners' sugar
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons milk more if needed, up to 4 tablespoons
- ½ cup milk chocolate M and M candies or more if desired, up to 1 cup
Instructions
For the Brownies:
- Preheat oven to 325 degree F.
- Line an 8 inch pan with parchment paper. Spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate together over low heat in a medium saucepan. Stir with a wooden spoon.
- Remove from heat and add the sugar. Stir well.
- Now add your eggs and vanilla, stirring until it’s smooth.
- Add chocolate chips, flour and vanilla salt. Stir until well blended.
- Now add the ½ cup of M&M's to the batter. Stir just enough to combine.
- Pour into pan and smooth out the top.
- Place the pan in the pre-heated oven.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, toothpick inserted should come out clean when done.
- Remove and cool on a rack.
For the Frosting:
- Melt the milk chocolate first so it has time to cool down considerably. You can melt it in the microwave, or use the double boiler method. Set aside once it's melted, you want it to cool a bit or it will make your frosting runny.
- Combine the butter and confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Mix on low-speed initially, then increase speed gradually. Cream the butter and sugar together for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the cocoa powder and melted chocolate to the bowl, mix until combined, about 1 minute.
- Now add the almond extract and 2 tablespoons of milk and mix again until smooth. If you find the frosting too thick you can add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until you get the desired consistency you like.
- Spread the frosting over the brownies. Smooth out the top.
- Now add M&M's any which way you like. I put less on top to make it easier to cut the brownies. You can use more, less, or cut the brownies first then toss M&M's over top. Any way you decorate the top is perfection, I mean it's M&M's and brownies. There is no wrong way to do this.
- Serve with a big old M&M loving smile!
Nutrition
These brownies are absolute perfection for holidays, or any day of the week. Whip some up as soon as possible. You can use any kind of M&M's, so have fun with it. Let your creativity flow.
While you're doing that I'll be making giant, brightly coloured notes on my calendar so I don't forget to pick up my ham. Or cook Easter dinner. I'd hide eggs but let's be honest, I'll never be able to find any the hooligans don't find.
Thanks for visiting today!
If you’re looking for more dessert recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more chocolate recipes as well.
Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.
Toodles! xx
Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction
Kim,
You're such a successful blogger, I can't believe you're a slacker. These brownies look so yummy. Pinned.
Happy Easter.
Annamaria
Emily @ Life on Food
Haha, I normally get on things about a week before the holiday. It is crazy to me that people start Christmas cookies in July for blogs. I just cannot do it.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
I am the worst at incorporating holidays into my blog. Oh well.
These brownies look incrrrredible! That frosting (which I'm usually not all about on brownies) looks gorgeous and the texture makes my mouth water!
Maureen
You're making great blogs so I don't think you're a slacker. And by the way, These brownies look so amazing! I'm practically craving for it now.
Angie ~ ambient wares
You had me at M&Ms and brownies. I'm pretty sure these would be unforgettable 😉 Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Angie, and thanks for hosting. Much appreciated.
Sherry Legan
Oh the brownies look and sound soooo good! I want to try! This is a great collection of
Chocolate! I'd love for you to come over and
link at the Fabulous Spring/East Party. Come over every week and join the party.
Happy Spring
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Sherry. We're suckers for brownies.
I'll have to swing by and check out that party.
Bobbi | Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
I am always looking for fun sweet treats to make with the littles. They would LOVE these!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks, Bobbi. I'm a sucker for brownies.
Debra
Mmm...the brownies were fabulous and the frosting, over the top...I made the m and m brownies for Valentines Day this year and they were a huge hit!
Kim Beaulieu
I'm so happy to hear you liked them.
Leslie
I love everything about this brownie recipe! The frosting is to die for and so perfect for these brownies!
Kim Beaulieu
Thank you so much.
Nicole NK
These were so easy to follow, and M&Ms added a nice touch to the recipe.
Kim Beaulieu
Thank you!
nancy
I love both brownies and M&M. Pairing them together is like a dream!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
I made these as a gift for a friend, but I had to make more. My husband and I "sampled" most of the first batch. These are yummy!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much. I love sampling too so I usually have to double batch all my snacks and desserts. Ha!
Swathi
M & M brownies is delicious and great dessert. my kids approved it.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much. So glad the kids liked them.
Kimberly Snyder
I love anything brownie! Can't wait to try these!
Kim Beaulieu
Same! Hope you love them!