Name: M&M's Fudgy Brownie Bites 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 something undeniably magical about biting into a rich, fudgy brownie with bursts of colorful candy crunch. That’s exactly what makes this M&M's Fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe a total winner in my book—moist, gooey, and sprinkled with a playful pop of M&M’s. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll quickly become your go-to treat!

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 Fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve M&M's Fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
M&M's Fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I’m always on the lookout for brownies that hit that perfect fudgy note without feeling heavy or dry. This M&M's Fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe nails it every single time. Plus, the vibrant little M&M’s add just the right hint of sweetness and fun colors that make these a hit with kids and adults alike.

Ultra Fudgy Texture: These brownies are incredibly moist inside with just the right gooeyness you want in a fudgy brownie.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything in your pantry, and the process is straightforward for even casual bakers.
Fun & Colorful: Adding M&M’s on top makes your brownies pop and adds just a little crunch to every bite.
Perfect Portion Bites: The recipe yields 16 small squares that are ideal for sharing or packing in lunchboxes.

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

This recipe’s magic happens because of the balance between rich butter, deep cocoa flavor, and just enough sugar to set off that luscious fudgy texture. The M&M’s are the playful final touch, bringing in texture and color without overpowering the intense chocolate 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: Melting this with chocolate ensures the brownies come out silky and luscious with that deep richness.
Semi-sweet chocolate: Adds an extra layer of chocolate intensity that butter alone can’t achieve.
Light brown sugar: Gives moisture and a touch of caramel flavor that helps keep those brownies soft.
Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness; using both sugars keeps the texture just right.
Eggs: They bind everything while adding structure — be sure they’re room temperature for best mixing.
Dutch process cocoa powder: For that rich, almost velvet-like chocolate flavor without bitterness.
Salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor — don’t skip it.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and takes the chocolate to the next level.
All-purpose flour: Provides just enough structure without making the brownies cakey.
M&M chocolate candies: Sprinkle on top for that signature burst of color and crunch that makes every bite exciting!

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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

What I love about this M&M's Fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe is how adaptable it is. Sometimes I toss extra chocolate chips inside for double the melty chocolate or switch the M&M’s up seasonally—like red and green for Christmas!

Variation: One time, I added chopped walnuts for a nutty surprise—it gave just the right crunch and depth if you like a little texture variety.

Step-by-Step: How I Make M&M's Fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan with Care

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare an 8x8-inch pan by spraying the bottom with non-stick baking spray. Then line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides—it’ll make lifting out the brownie slab a breeze when it’s done. Trust me, this little trick saves you from a stuck, crumbled disaster later.

Step 2: Melt Butter, Chocolate & Sugars Just Right

Set up your double boiler by placing a heat-safe bowl over a saucepan with about two inches of simmering water. Stir together the butter, chopped semi-sweet chocolate, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until everything melts and blends into a glossy, grainy mixture. If it looks a bit grainy—that’s totally normal! Remove from heat and let it cool slightly so you don't cook the eggs in the next step.

Step 3: Whisk in Eggs for That Silky Smooth Batter

Add the eggs one at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition. This takes a few minutes but it’s so worth it—the batter will become lighter in color and develop a shiny, smooth texture. This step helps your brownies have that beautiful fudgy density instead of being heavy.

Step 4: Fold in Cocoa, Vanilla, Salt & Flour

Mix in your cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Then carefully fold in the flour with a spatula—be gentle here. You want to stop folding as soon as the streaks of flour vanish to keep the batter from toughening up. Wait until you taste these brownies to appreciate why that bit of care matters!

Step 5: Add M&M’s & Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the surface evenly. Now sprinkle the M&M’s over the top, pressing them in lightly so they stick but still show off their pretty colors. Bake for about 45-50 minutes—you want the edges set but the center still fudgy, so check doneness by inserting a toothpick about two inches from the edge. It should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 6: Cool Completely Before Slicing

Cooling is crucial here—don’t be tempted to slice right away! Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Then cut into bite-sized squares and prepare for lots of compliments (and possibly a second batch).

Top Tip

Having baked these brownies multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make all the difference. Here’s what I wish I knew from the start to help your batch turn out perfect every time.

Perfect Melt: Use the double boiler method to gently melt butter and chocolate — avoiding direct heat prevents seizing or burning, keeping the mixture smooth.
Room Temperature Eggs: This little step helps the batter emulsify beautifully without curdling.
Don’t Overmix Flour: Folding just until mostly combined keeps your brownies tender and fudgy instead of cakey.
Cool Completely: Let brownies cool fully before slicing; warm brownies are delicate and crumbly, but cooled ones hold together so nicely.

How to Serve M&M's Fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe

Fudgy Brownie Bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with fresh bites just as they are—the M&M’s add enough visual charm on their own. Sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar gives a subtle contrast that's lovely. For party occasions, a drizzle of melted white chocolate or a sprinkle of sea salt on top really amps up the flavor experience.

Side Dishes

Pairing these brownie bites with a cold glass of milk is a no-brainer—it’s the classic for a reason! I also love serving them alongside vanilla bean ice cream for an easy-to-throw-together dessert that everyone loves. Fresh berries on the side brighten the plate and balance the richness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holiday gatherings, I spread the brownie bites out on a decorative platter with colorful napkins and a scattering of extra M&M’s. Wrapping individual squares in parchment paper tied with twine makes for sweet grab-and-go favors. You can even stack them layered with whipped cream and fruit for an impromptu brownie parfait—such a fun twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover brownie bites in an airtight container at room temperature—if your kitchen is warm, pop them in the fridge to keep their shape better. They stay moist and fudgy for about 3-4 days, which is perfect for nibbling over a few days.

Freezing

Want to make these ahead? I wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them in a sealed container. When I’m ready to eat, I thaw them at room temp for a couple of hours—they practically taste fresh-baked! Freezing keeps them delicious for up to two months.

Reheating

If you like your brownies warm, pop a single piece in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This warms the chocolate just right without drying it out. Alternatively, a quick 5-minute stint in a 300°F oven wrapped loosely in foil does the trick for several bites.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch process?

You absolutely can! Just know that regular cocoa powder has a slightly more acidic and sharper taste than Dutch process, which is smoother and mellower. It won’t ruin the brownies but expect a small flavor difference.

Why do my brownies sometimes come out cakey instead of fudgy?

Often, this happens due to overbaking or overmixing the flour into the batter. Be sure to remove brownies from the oven as soon as a toothpick finds a few moist crumbs, and fold the flour in gently just until combined. This keeps that dense, fudgy texture everyone loves.

Can I add M&M’s inside the batter instead of on top?

Sure! You can mix some M&M’s into the batter for surprise bursts in the brownies. Just be aware that baking with candies inside can cause them to melt a little and lose shape, changing texture slightly. Sprinkling on top preserves their colorful crunch best.

What’s the best way to cut brownies cleanly?

Use a sharp knife, and for the cleanest cuts, chill the brownies briefly before slicing. Wiping your knife with a warm, damp cloth between cuts helps prevent crumbs and sticky residue from sticking on the blade.

Final Thoughts

This M&M's Fudgy Brownie Bites Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for its effortless combination of classic chocolate goodness and playful candy bits. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these brownies deliver consistently delicious results without fuss. Give them a try—you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and again, just like I do!