Effortless & Festive Christmas M&M Brownies: Your Ultimate Holiday Dessert

The holiday season calls for simple joys, and these Christmas M&M brownies deliver exactly that: a delightful, fuss-free treat packed with festive cheer. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for a quick and impressive dessert, this recipe simplifies holiday baking with a trusty boxed brownie mix and a generous scattering of colorful Christmas M&M’s. In less than an hour of active time, you can have a batch of rich, fudgy, and visually stunning chocolate brownies ready to spread holiday cheer. They are ideal for last-minute gatherings, delightful additions to cookie exchanges, or simply a cozy evening indulgence with a cup of hot cocoa, making them a true holiday essential.

Why These Christmas M&M Brownies Are a Holiday Essential

There’s nothing quite like a rich, fudgy brownie to satisfy a sweet craving, especially during the festive holiday season. Our quick and easy Christmas M&M brownies offer that perfect balance of intense chocolate flavor and the delightful crunch of cheerful M&M’s. We recommend starting with a high-quality boxed mix, such as Ghirardelli, to ensure a deep, luxurious chocolate base. However, feel free to use your favorite brownie mix; the key is to choose one you know and love for its consistent results. The magic truly happens with the strategic addition of vibrant Christmas M&M’s, which are sprinkled generously on top just as the brownies emerge from the oven. This method not only keeps their brilliant colors intact but also adds a wonderful pop of texture and an undeniable visual appeal.

These festive chocolate squares are incredibly versatile, making them suitable for a myriad of holiday occasions. Serve them as a star attraction at school parties, bring them as a thoughtful and much-appreciated contribution to a cookie exchange, or simply enjoy them with your family during a cozy evening at home. They’re a treat that brings smiles to faces of all ages and a delicious way to spread the holiday spirit!

While this recipe champions the convenience of a boxed mix, it’s easily adaptable if you prefer baking from scratch. For an even richer, more profound fudgy base, consider using a homemade brownie recipe. Our acclaimed fudgy brownie recipe offers that exceptional scratch-made flavor you might be looking for, and you can simply stir in the M&M’s as directed in this guide to create a truly bespoke holiday dessert.

Achieving Perfectly Vibrant M&M’s: Essential Baking Tips

One common concern when baking with M&M’s or similar candies is preventing their vibrant colors from fading or bleeding into the brownie batter. To maintain their bright, festive look and ensure each candy piece stands out beautifully, here’s a simple yet highly effective tip: gently press some M&M’s onto the surface of your brownie batter right before placing the pan in the oven. It is crucial to avoid stirring them into the batter too early, and definitely do not cover them completely with more batter. This technique ensures that each candy retains its distinct shape and brilliant color, transforming your fudgy brownies into visually appealing and undeniably festive treats that are sure to impress.

Average Rating: 4.75 from 4 votes

Christmas M&M Brownies Recipe

These Christmas M&M brownies are the ultimate holiday treat—fudgy, chocolatey, and topped with colorful M&M’s. Ready in under an hour, they’re perfect for festive baking with kids or last-minute holiday treats.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Cool Time: 1 hour

Servings: 9 brownies

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Ingredients

• 18 ounces brownie mix (1 box), such as Ghirardelli*
• ¼ cup water
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• ⅔ cup Christmas M&M’s plus extra for decorating

Equipment

• Kitchen Scale (optional)
• 8×8 Baking Pan

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal, then set it aside.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, prepare the brownie mix. Follow the specific instructions provided on your chosen brownie mix package. For example, if using an 18-ounce box like Ghirardelli, this typically involves combining the mix with ¼ cup water, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, and 1 large egg. Always adhere to your package’s precise ingredient list for optimal results.
   18 ounces brownie mix
   
3. Gently fold in ⅔ cup of Christmas M&M’s into the prepared brownie batter. Once combined, pour the festive batter evenly into your greased 8×8-inch baking pan. For an extra touch of holiday sparkle, dot the top of the batter with a few additional M&M’s before baking.
   ⅔ cup Christmas M&M’s
   
4. Bake the brownies in your preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the pan. It should come out with moist crumbs clinging to it, or be mostly dry. If it’s completely clean, the brownies might become cakey. Avoid overbaking to keep them delightfully fudgy.
   
5. Once baked, carefully remove the pan of brownies from the oven and immediately place it on a wire cooling rack. This allows for proper air circulation and prevents the bottom from becoming soggy, ensuring a perfect texture.
   
6. While the brownies are still warm from the oven, gently press a few more Christmas M&M’s into their soft tops. This adds an extra layer of visual appeal and ensures those signature vibrant colors are prominent for a stunning presentation.
7. Allow the brownies to cool completely on the rack. Patience is key here; cooling fully ensures a firm, fudgy texture and clean, precise slices. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve your festive treats!

Recipe Notes & Expert Baking Tips

*If you prefer a truly homemade touch, consider using your favorite fudgy brownie recipe from scratch. Simply prepare the homemade batter as directed, stir in the M&M’s, and follow the baking instructions here for a delicious, custom-made treat.

General Tips for Perfect Brownies:

• Pan Size Matters: Using an 8×8-inch baking pan is crucial for achieving thick, delightfully chewy brownies. A larger 9×9-inch pan will result in thinner brownies that may bake faster, so be sure to adjust your baking time accordingly to prevent them from drying out.
• Prevent M&M Bleeding & Sinking: To minimize color bleeding and prevent M&M’s from sinking to the bottom of your pan, lightly toss the candies (that you plan to stir into the batter) with a teaspoon or two of all-purpose flour before adding them. This creates a subtle barrier. However, do not apply this trick to the M&M’s pressed on top, as it will dull their natural shine and vibrant appearance.
• The Fudginess Test: For truly fudgy brownies, it’s essential not to overbake them. Pull them out of the oven when a few moist crumbs still cling to a toothpick inserted into the center. If the toothpick comes out completely clean, your brownies are likely overbaked and will have a drier, more cake-like texture rather than the desired fudginess.
• Cooling is Essential: Always allow your brownies to cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to slice them. Warm brownies are delicate and will crumble, whereas fully cooled brownies will yield clean, defined cuts and a perfectly set, fudgy consistency. This patience will be rewarded!
• For Extra Sweetness and Visual Appeal: A light dusting of powdered sugar over the cooled brownies can add another layer of delicate sweetness and create a beautiful, snowy winter aesthetic, perfect for holiday presentation.
• Achieving Clean Cuts: For perfectly clean-cut brownies, consider using a plastic knife; its non-stick properties work wonders. Alternatively, use a sharp metal knife, run it under hot water, and wipe it clean between each slice for crisp edges.
• Gift-Giving Made Easy: These brownies make fantastic edible gifts. Cut them into small, uniform squares and wrap each individually in holiday-themed cellophane bags. They are excellent for thoughtful presents, thoughtful contributions to cookie exchanges, or festive party favors.

Make-ahead: These brownies are wonderfully suited for preparing in advance, which is a huge convenience during the busy holiday season. You can bake them up to 2 days before you plan to serve them. Once completely cooled, simply wrap the entire pan or individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This careful sealing ensures they remain delightfully soft, moist, and chewy, tasting just as fresh as the day they were baked.

Storage: Store any fully cooled leftover brownies in an airtight container. They will keep well and maintain their quality at room temperature for up to 1 week or can be refrigerated for similar longevity, providing a firmer texture. For longer storage, these brownies freeze beautifully. Once completely cooled, cut the brownies into individual squares. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Christmas M&M Brownies Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 brownie)

Calories 406
Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g (29%)

Saturated Fat 5g (31%)

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 20mg (7%)

Sodium 183mg (8%)

Potassium 7mg (0%)

Carbohydrates 55g (18%)

Fiber 1g (4%)

Sugar 38g (42%)

Protein 4g (8%)

Vitamin A 61IU (1%)

Vitamin C 1mg (1%)

Calcium 21mg (2%)

Iron 2mg (11%)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Becky Hardin

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How to Make the Best Christmas M&M Brownies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these festive M&M brownies is incredibly straightforward, even for novice bakers. Follow these simple steps to bake a batch of delicious, fudgy brownies that are sure to be a holiday hit in your home or at any gathering.

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Pan

Before you begin mixing any ingredients, ensure your oven is properly heated. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Next, take an 8×8-inch baking pan and generously spray the entire inside surface with a nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step is vital for preventing the brownies from sticking to the pan and makes for effortless removal and clean, neat slicing later. Once prepared, set the pan aside within easy reach for the next steps.

Step 2: Prepare the Brownie Batter According to Package Directions

In a large mixing bowl, carefully combine the contents of your 18-ounce (approximately 1 box) brownie mix with the specified liquid ingredients. For most standard brownie mixes, this typically includes ¼ cup of water, ⅓ cup of vegetable oil, and 1 large egg. However, it is absolutely vital to refer to the exact instructions and ingredient ratios provided on your specific brownie mix box, as these can vary slightly between different brands. Adhering to their precise guidelines will ensure you achieve the best possible texture and flavor for your brownies.

Step 3: Fold in the M&M’s and Pour into Pan

Gently stir ⅔ cup of vibrant Christmas M&M’s into your prepared brownie batter. The key here is to fold them in carefully, avoiding any vigorous overmixing, which can lead to a less desirable texture. Once the M&M’s are evenly distributed throughout the rich chocolate mixture, pour the festive batter evenly into your greased 8×8-inch baking pan. For a truly stunning finish and to ensure the M&M colors remain brilliantly vibrant and visible, lightly press a few extra Christmas M&M’s onto the very top surface of the batter. This not only adds visual appeal but also helps to prevent the candies from sinking completely during the baking process.

Step 4: Bake Until Just Right

Place the baking pan filled with your brownie batter into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes. It’s important to note that baking times can vary slightly depending on the calibration of your specific oven, so it’s always wise to keep a close eye on your brownies. To test for doneness and ensure that perfect fudgy texture, insert a clean toothpick into the very center of the brownies. For optimal results, the toothpick should come out with moist crumbs still clinging to it, or be mostly dry. If it comes out completely clean, the brownies are likely overbaked and might become drier or have a more cake-like texture, which we want to avoid for that desirable chewy, fudgy consistency.

Step 5: Cool, Garnish, and Serve

Once your brownies are perfectly baked, carefully remove the pan from the oven and immediately transfer the hot pan to a wire cooling rack. This allows for optimal air circulation around the pan, which helps prevent the bottom of the brownies from becoming soggy and aids in the cooling process. While the brownies are still warm and pliable, seize the opportunity to gently press a few more festive Christmas M&M’s into their surface. This final decorative touch adds extra bursts of color and ensures a vibrant, freshly decorated look. Now comes the hardest part: patience! Allow the brownies to cool completely on the rack. This step is absolutely crucial for achieving their ideal fudgy texture and ensuring clean, neat slices. Attempting to cut them while warm will result in crumbling. Once fully cooled and set, cut them into perfect squares and enjoy your spectacular and delicious holiday treat!

Customizing Your Holiday Brownies: Fun Variations & Additions

While these Christmas M&M brownies are absolutely perfect as is, they also serve as a fantastic and versatile base for your culinary creativity. The holiday season is all about indulgence and personalized touches, so feel free to experiment with these delicious variations to make them uniquely yours:

• Peppermint Twist: For a refreshing and classic holiday flavor, gently stir in about ½ cup of finely crushed candy canes into the batter along with the M&M’s, or sprinkle them on top with extra M&M’s just after baking for a beautiful contrast and cooling sensation.
• Nutty Crunch: Add a delightful textural contrast and a rich, earthy flavor by folding in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the brownie batter. Toasting the nuts lightly before adding can enhance their flavor even further.
• Extra Chocolate Indulgence: If you’re a true chocolate connoisseur, elevate the chocolate factor by mixing in ½ cup of additional chocolate chips (whether milk, dark, or white chocolate) alongside the M&M’s for an even more decadent and multi-layered treat.
• Festive Frosting: Once the brownies are completely cooled, consider spreading a luscious layer of cream cheese frosting, a rich chocolate ganache, or even a simple vanilla buttercream tinted green or red on top for an extra celebratory and visually appealing touch.
• Different Candies: Don’t limit yourself to just M&M’s! Experiment with other holiday-themed candies like chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, mini Rolos, or even a generous sprinkle of holiday-themed sprinkles for a different look and a burst of varied flavors.
• Salted Caramel Swirl: For a gourmet and sophisticated touch, swirl in a few tablespoons of your favorite store-bought or homemade salted caramel sauce into the brownie batter just before baking. This adds a beautiful marble effect and an irresistible flavor profile.

These exciting variations allow you to personalize your brownies, making them perfectly suited to your taste preferences and ideal for any holiday gathering, gifting, or personal enjoyment!

Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead Tips for Holiday Convenience

One of the most appealing qualities of these Christmas M&M brownies is how exceptionally well they store, making them an ideal dessert for preparing in advance during the often-hectic holiday season. Thoughtful storage ensures that their delicious taste and fudgy texture are preserved, ready to be enjoyed whenever a craving strikes.

• Make-Ahead Preparation: You can conveniently bake these delightful brownies up to 2 days before you plan to serve them. Once they have completely cooled to room temperature, wrap the entire pan or individual brownies tightly in multiple layers of plastic wrap. Then, place them in an airtight container. Store them at room temperature; this method ensures they remain wonderfully soft, moist, and delightfully chewy, tasting just as fresh as the day they were baked.
• Room Temperature Storage: For immediate enjoyment or short-term storage, keep fully cooled brownies in an airtight container. They will maintain their excellent quality and freshness at room temperature for up to 1 week. A little trick to help them stay extra moist is to place a slice of plain white bread in the container alongside the brownies; they will absorb the moisture from the bread.
• Refrigerator Storage: If you prefer a firmer brownie texture, or if you live in a warmer climate where desserts might spoil faster, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For the best eating experience, allow them to come to room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave before serving.
• Freezer Storage: For longer-term enjoyment, these brownies freeze exceptionally well. Once completely cooled, cut the brownies into individual squares. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn, then place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months without significant loss of quality.
• Thawing Frozen Brownies: To thaw, simply remove the desired number of brownies from the freezer and let them come to room temperature on your kitchen counter. This usually takes about 30-60 minutes. For a fresh-baked appearance, you can gently press a few new M&M’s onto the top surface of the thawed brownies just before serving, bringing back that vibrant holiday look.