These ultra-thick M&M’s brownies start with boxed brownie mix and a few simple upgrades for a rich, soft, chewy dessert that stays moist for days. Use your favorite M&M colors to match birthdays, holidays, bake sales, classroom parties, or any celebration.
Equipment Checklist
This M&M brownie recipe is simple and approachable. You do not need a stand mixer or complicated tools. A few basic baking supplies will help you mix, bake, cool, and slice the brownies neatly.
Mixing bowls
Use one bowl for the dry ingredients and another for the wet ingredients. This helps the batter come together smoothly without overmixing.
Parchment paper
Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper so the brownies lift out easily and cleanup stays quick.
Metal 9×13 baking pan
A metal pan is best for even baking. It helps the brownies cook through while keeping the texture soft, thick, and chewy.
Granton-edge knife
For clean slices, use a sharp carving knife and wipe the blade carefully between cuts.
Why You’ll Love These M&M Brownies
- Semi-homemade and bakery-style. Boxed brownie mix makes the process faster, while a few extra ingredients improve the flavor and texture.
- Extra thick and chewy. This recipe uses two family-size brownie mixes in a 9×13 pan, creating tall brownies with a soft center and satisfying chew.
- Colorful and fun. M&Ms make these brownies festive without extra decorating. Choose colors for holidays, school events, parties, or team celebrations.
- Great for making ahead. These brownies taste even better after resting, so they are ideal when you need a dessert prepared in advance.
Ingredients
Boxed brownie mix is not cheating. It already includes flour, sugar, cocoa, and leavening ingredients, which makes it a useful shortcut. The key is to enhance the mix with ingredients that create a softer, thicker, more bakery-style brownie.
- Boxed brownie mix – Use two family-size mixes intended for 9×13 pans for consistent results.
- Instant Clearjel – This helps create a soft, tender texture.
- Dark cocoa powder – Adds a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Water – Adds moisture to the batter.
- Vegetable oil – Keeps the brownies moist and chewy.
- Eggs – Help bind the batter and give the brownies structure.
- M&M candies – Use any color or variety you like.
- Vanilla extract – Rounds out the chocolate flavor.
Baker’s Tip
These M&M brownies are especially good the next day. If you are baking for a party, holiday, or event, make them ahead and let the texture settle before slicing.
For exact measurements, follow the full recipe card below.
Variations
This recipe is based on a bakery-style brownie method, but the M&Ms make it more colorful and playful. You can easily customize the candies and mix-ins without changing the basic recipe.
Use different M&Ms. Regular M&Ms work beautifully, but you can also use seasonal colors or themed colors for special occasions. Red and green M&Ms are perfect for Christmas, while pink and white candies are lovely for Valentine’s Day.
Try extra mix-ins. Replace part of the M&Ms with dark chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, crushed pretzels, caramel chips, or mini M&Ms. Keep the total amount of mix-ins similar so the brownies bake evenly.
Storage
Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. The Instant Clearjel and vegetable oil help keep them moist and tender for several days. For the best texture, let the brownies cool completely before covering and storing them.
Key Recipe Notes
- Do not skip the Instant Clearjel. It is an important part of the soft, bakery-style texture in this recipe.
- Use a metal pan. A metal 9×13 pan gives more even results than glass.
- Check the center carefully. Baking time can vary depending on your oven and pan. Start checking once the brownies have baked at 325°F for 35 minutes.
- Let them cool before slicing. These brownies are thick, so they need time to set. Cooling for at least 3 hours, or overnight, gives the cleanest slices.
More Bakery-Style Cookies and Bars
-
Valentine Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
-
Super Thick and Chewy M&M’s Brownies
-
Frosted Peppermint Sugar Cookies
-
Super Easy Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies
These M&M brownies are rich, soft, chewy, and packed with colorful candy in every bite. They have a deep chocolate flavor, a thick bakery-style texture, and just the right amount of crunch from the M&Ms. Serve them at parties, pack them for bake sales, or make them whenever you need a dependable chocolate dessert.
Thanks for reading. ❤️
📖 Recipe & Step-by-Step Instructions
Super Thick and Chewy M&M’s Brownie Recipe
Equipment
-
9×13 metal cake pan
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ⅓ cups vegetable oil
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 18.3-ounce brownie mixes (choose family-size mixes meant for 9×13 pans)
- 2 tablespoons dark Dutch cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Instant Clearjel
- 2 cups M&Ms (reserve some for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom and sides of a 9×13 metal cake pan with parchment paper.
-
In a very large bowl, whisk together the brownie mixes, Instant Clearjel, and dark Dutch cocoa powder until evenly combined.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. Add the vegetable oil, water, and vanilla extract, then whisk again until combined.
-
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold together with large, gentle strokes until no dry streaks remain. Avoid overmixing, which can make the brownies less tender.
-
Fold in about 1 cup of M&Ms. Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan, then sprinkle the remaining M&Ms over the top.
-
Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and bake for another 35 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick or paring knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time will vary by oven and pan, so check the center carefully. Cool completely before slicing. For the best texture, let the brownies cool for at least 3 hours or rest until the next day.
