These festive Patriotic M&M Brownies are the perfect treat for your Fourth of July gatherings or any patriotic holiday! They have a rich, fudgy brownie base with a delightful crunch from the M&Ms scattered throughout, making them a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
These brownies are a delicious combination of chocolatey indulgence and vibrant, patriotic colors.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Decadent and intensely chocolatey, with a sweet, candy-coated crunch.
- Texture: Fudgy, chewy brownies with a crisp top and bursts of crunchy M&Ms.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 25-30 minutes
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly; simple to make with no special equipment required.
What You’ll Need
This recipe is incredibly straightforward. It starts with a classic brownie base made with rich cocoa powder, butter, and sugar. The star of the show, of course, is the Patriotic M&Ms, which add a festive touch and a satisfying crunch.
Ingredient Notes
- Unsalted Butter – Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the brownies. Make sure it’s melted before you start to make mixing easier.
- Granulated Sugar – This adds sweetness to the brownies and helps create the perfect texture.
- Large Eggs – Eggs bind the ingredients together and provide structure. Make sure they are at room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla enhances the chocolate flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure to the brownies and a tender crumb.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – This gives the brownies their rich, chocolatey flavor.
- Salt – Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Patriotic M&Ms – These are the stars of the show! Use the red, white, and blue M&Ms for the perfect patriotic look.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Chocolate Chips: For an extra dose of chocolate, fold in 1/2 cup of semisweet or dark chocolate chips.
- Nuts: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a contrasting texture.
- Peppermint Extract: For a holiday twist, substitute some of the vanilla extract with peppermint extract.
How to Make Patriotic M&M Brownies
This recipe uses a simple method to get the perfect fudgy brownies topped with festive M&Ms.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until the butter is melted and the mixture is well combined.
- Whisk in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in 1 cup of the Patriotic M&Ms.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining Patriotic M&Ms on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving.
Pro Tip: Don’t over-mix the batter, as this can lead to tougher brownies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the brownies during the last few minutes of baking. Overbaking can lead to dry brownies.
- Cool Completely: Allowing the brownies to cool completely before cutting ensures clean slices.
- Use Good Quality Cocoa Powder: The quality of the cocoa powder will impact the flavor of your brownies.
- Grease and Flour the Pan Well: This will prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan.
- Let the Brownies Rest: After taking the brownies out of the oven, give an extra 10 minutes rest on the counter
FAQs
- Can I use a different size pan? Yes, you can use an 8×8 inch pan for thicker brownies, but you may need to adjust the baking time. Start checking for doneness around 30 minutes.
- Can I make these brownies ahead? Absolutely! These brownies are great for prepping in advance, and some people say the flavor improves overnight!
- How do I store the leftovers? Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Can I freeze these brownies? Yes, you can freeze the brownies for up to 2 months. Make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve warm brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Whipped Cream: Top the brownies with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.
- Hot Coffee: Pair the brownies with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
- Fresh Berries: Serve with fresh blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.
- Milk: A glass of cold milk is the perfect complement to these chocolatey treats.
Make This Recipe in Advance
The brownie batter can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake when ready. Brownies can also be baked a day ahead – store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
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Patriotic M&M Brownie Recipe
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: Varies
Description
These festive Patriotic M&M Brownies are the perfect treat for your Fourth of July gatherings or any patriotic holiday! They have a rich, fudgy brownie base with a delightful crunch from the M&Ms scattered throughout, making them a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Ingredients
1 18 oz. box milk chocolate brownie mix use your favorite brand
2 whole eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons water
3/4 cup Red, White, and Blue mix mini M&Ms
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a 13×9 inch pan by spraying it or lining it with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the brownie mix, oil, water, and eggs, following the package instructions.
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 15 minutes, then add the M&Ms on top and bake for another 13-15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the brownies cool completely, then cut into squares, and enjoy.
Notes
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the brownies during the last few minutes of baking. Overbaking can lead to dry brownies.
Cool Completely: Allowing the brownies to cool completely before cutting ensures clean slices.
Use Good Quality Cocoa Powder: The quality of the cocoa powder will impact the flavor of your brownies.
Grease and Flour the Pan Well: This will prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan.
Let the Brownies Rest: After taking the brownies out of the oven, give an extra 10 minutes rest on the counter
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: Unknown
- Fat: Unknown
- Carbohydrates: Unknown
- Protein: Unknown
