These fudgy Valentine's Day M&M brownies are the sweetest treat to bake for your sweetheart. They are rich chocolate brownies full of M&Ms and Oreos. The brownies come together in one bowl, require no mixer, and have a crinkle top.
These Valentine brownies are rich, indulgent and super chocolatey! They are decorated with cute heart shaped sprinkles and M&Ms.
The brownies use melted butter, which adds richness. Combined with the sugar and dry ingredients, the brownies are then poured into a prepared pan and baked to perfection. The perfect sweet treat for your sweetie!
These are thick fudgy brownies, no thin brownies over here!
For more Valentine's Day recipes, try Valentine’s Day Kitchen Sink Cookies, Peanut Butter Heart Cookies, and Valentine’s Day Monster Cookie Bars.
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Why this recipe works
Better than boxed – After making these homemade brownies you’ll never go back to a boxed mix.
Valentine's Day - These brownies have red, pink, and white M&M's, as well as heart shaped sprinkles perfect for love day!
Easy to make – No electric mixer required. One bowl, simple everyday ingredients.
Extra fudgy brownies – Using two types of cocoa powder really makes these the ultimate fudgy brownies!
Ingredients Notes
Scroll to view a few ingredients notes. Full recipe and measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Butter – Unsalted works best for baking. This will be melted.
Eggs – Remove two hours before baking.
Dark unsweetened cocoa powder – Dark unsweetened cocoa powder balances the sweetness from brown sugar well. It also provides this darker brownie colour, which contrasts well with the chocolate chips.
Natural unsweetened cocoa powder – Natural cocoa powder is acidic and bitter. It’s got a strong chocolate flavour. My favourite go-to is Hershey’s.
M&M's - These are the M&M's I used. They are a special edition for Valentine's Day, but any M&M's work.
Chocolate chips- I used semi-sweet chocolate chips to contrast the brownies. You can also use any kind you like.
Sprinkles - I added some cutie sprinkles on top before baking. These are the festive ones I used!
Step by step instructions
Here is how to make and bake these Valentine's Day M&M Brownies. You will need an 8×8 square pan lined with parchment paper, a large mixing bowl, a spatula, and a whisk.
Step 1 – Prep. Grease the pan. For easy removal of the brownies, place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. Grease again and then set side.
Step 2 – Melt the butter and sugar. Melt the butter and cool while you prep the rest of your ingredients. Once it’s cooled, add in the brown sugar. Whisk until well combined. There might be some grainy texture but that is ok.
Step 3 – Add in eggs and vanilla. Whisk in one eggs and vanilla.
Step 4 - Add in dry ingredients. Mix in the unsweetened cocoa powder, dark cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Make sure there are no dry streaks. Then, fold in chocolate chips, M&M's, and broken up Oreos.
Step 5 - Bake the brownies. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Place extra add-ins and sprinkles on top of the brownie batter. Bake for 40-50 minutes, depending on your oven. It took me 45 minutes exactly. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.
Step 6 - Cool the brownies. The brownies still bake in the pan as they cool down. Therefore it’s best to wait until they’re completely cooled before slicing. If you cut them while hot/very warm they’ll fall apart.
Expert Baking Tips
Here are a few expert baking tips from my kitchen to yours
- Line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper. Grease the other two sides. This will allow for the easiest removal from the pan.
- Allow the brownies to cool before slicing. If you slice them while they are hot, they will fall apart.
- Using two types of cocoa powder enhances the chocolate flavour and is highly recommended.
- Do not overbake! The brownies are ready when a toothpick inserted comes out fudgy. If it is wet, it is not ready. The toothpick should have some crumbs on it. If there is nothing on the toothpick, they are over-cooked.
FAQ
Do I have to use two types of cocoa powder?
No. You can just use unsweetened cocoa powder. You must have 1 1/2 cups of cocoa powder total in this recipe though.
Can I add in less sugar?
Unfortunately no. If you know me, you know I try to use as little sugar as possible in my recipes. This one requires the full 2 cups if you want that crinkle top and fudgy texture. If you’re worried about sweetness, I would omit the chocolate chips and add less Oreos. The brownies also have a lot of cocoa powder for balance.
How do I know my brownies are ready?
When the edges are set and the middle is a little bit under baked. If you stick a toothpick in and it comes out with wet batter on it give it another 5 minutes of baking time and check again. If the toothpick comes out with crumbs it is ready.
Check out these recipes
- Brown Butter Cherry Dark Chocolate Cookies
- Espresso Brownies
- Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Fudgy Oreo Brownies
Valentine's Day M&M Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups butter melted
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2/3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder*
- 7 Oreos crushed
- 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup Valentine's Day M&Ms
- Valentine's Day sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8 or 9×9 pan. For easy removal of the brownies, place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. Grease again and then set aside.
- Melt the butter and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes while you prep the rest of your ingredients.1 1/4 cups butter melted
- Once slightly cooled, add into large bowl and whisk with brown sugar. Then whisk in eggs, and then the vanilla.2 cups light brown sugar, 4 eggs, 1 tbsp vanilla
- Fold in the dark cocoa powder, unsweetened cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Make sure you don't over mix.1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2/3 cups flour, 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder*
- Add in the Oreos, M&M's, and chocolate chips.7 Oreos crushed, 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips, 1/4 cup Valentine's Day M&Ms
- Pour into a prepared pan. Top off with extra add-ins and sprinkles if desired. Bake for 40-50 minutes depending on your oven. Start checking after 38 minutes. The brownies will have set edges and the middle will look a little underbaked. When you insert a toothpick it'll come out with moist crumbs.Valentine's Day sprinkles
- Allow to cool completely. The brownies bake as they cool so if you slice before this, the brownies will fall apart. If you don't mind this then go for it! I prefer mine served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- If you have any leftovers, which I highly doubt, store in an airtight container on the counter or in the fridge for up to 1 week or individually wrapped in the freezer for up to 3 months!
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