Introduction
Did you know that over 35 million heart shaped boxes of chocolates are sold every year for February 14th? While those store bought candies are classic, have you ever wondered if a homemade treat could actually capture the heart of your loved ones more effectively than a plastic wrapped box? I believe the secret lies in the kitchen. My name is Benjamin Sharif, and if there is one thing I have learned from years of baking for my wife Emily and our two kids, it is that the best gifts are the ones that fill the house with the scent of melting chocolate.
Today I am sharing my absolute favorite recipe for EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies. This recipe is the ultimate solution for busy parents who want to create something magical without spending hours over a double boiler. These brownies are thick, fudgy, and bursting with those festive pink and red candy shells we all love. Whether you are prepping for a school bake sale or a cozy movie night at home, these brownies are designed to be foolproof and fun.
For me, baking has always been about connection. I still remember standing in my grandmother’s kitchen as a young boy, learning that food is a way to say I love you. This recipe carries that same spirit. It is approachable, decadent, and exactly what you need to make this holiday special for your family.
Why You’ll Love This EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies
- Incredible Texture: These brownies strike the perfect balance between a cakey crumb and a fudgy center, ensuring every bite is a chocolate lover’s dream.
- Kid Friendly Activity: My kids, Adams and Jana, love helping me press the colorful M&Ms into the batter. It is a wonderful way to get the whole family involved in the kitchen.
- Quick and Convenient: You likely already have most of these ingredients in your pantry. We use simple staples to create a high end dessert experience.
- Festive Flair: The vibrant red and pink colors make these a standout addition to any valentines sweets charcuterie board recipe.
- Versatile Base: This recipe is very forgiving. You can swap the candies for different holidays, but the Valentine’s version is truly the most photogenic.
Ingredients for EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies
To get started with these delightful treats, you will need a few basic baking essentials. I always recommend using high quality cocoa powder for the deepest flavor.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Valentine’s Day M&Ms (red, pink, and white)
- 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (optional for extra gooeyness)
If you are looking for a twist on traditional brownies, you might also enjoy making a valentine brookies fudgy brownie recipe which combines cookie dough and brownie batter for the best of both worlds.
How to Make EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. This makes it so much easier to lift the brownies out once they are cooled.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar. You want to mix this well until the mixture looks slightly shiny. This is the secret to getting that beautiful crackly top on your brownies.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. The batter should look smooth and ribbon like at this stage.
- Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. I suggest sifting the cocoa powder because it often has small lumps that can be hard to whisk out later. Use a spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones. Do not overmix here; stop as soon as you see no more streaks of flour.
- Fold in about half of your Valentine’s M&Ms and the chocolate chips if you are using them. This ensures there is a candy crunch in every single bite.
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms over the top of the batter. Press them down very lightly so they stay in place but remain visible on the surface for that beautiful festive look.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You will know they are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking, as the brownies will continue to set as they cool.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan. This is the hardest part, but it ensures you get clean, beautiful cuts. Lift them out using the parchment paper and slice into squares.
Pro Tips & Variations
To ensure your EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies turn out perfectly every time, here are a few of my tried and true kitchen secrets:
- The Room Temperature Rule: Always use room temperature eggs. They emulsify better with the fat, resulting in a smoother batter and a better rise.
- Quality Chocolate: Since chocolate is the star here, use a cocoa powder you actually like the taste of. If you want a more intense flavor, try a Dutch processed cocoa.
- The Shiny Crust: If you want that classic thin, papery crust on top, make sure you whisk your sugar and eggs together vigorously for a few minutes before adding the dry ingredients.
- Gluten Free Option: You can easily make these gluten free by substituting the all purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten free baking flour blend.
- Extra Luxury: For a truly decadent treat, you can serve these alongside some pink chocolate dipped strawberries recipe for a full dessert spread.
For more inspiration on holiday treats, check out these Valentine’s Day Brownies from Live Well Bake Often.
Serving Suggestions
While these brownies are incredible on their own, you can elevate them for a special Valentine’s dinner. I love serving a warm brownie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The cold creaminess against the warm chocolate is heaven.
If you are hosting a party, consider cutting them into smaller valentines brownie bites recipe. You can find a great guide for that here: valentines brownie bites recipe. Another fun idea is to pair these with some creamy pink hot chocolate recipe at home for a thematic treat that the kids will absolutely adore.
Storage & Reheating for EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies
If you happen to have leftovers, which rarely happens in the Sharif household, you can store these brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They actually stay remarkably fudgy!
For longer storage, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to save them for later, wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready for a treat, just thaw at room temperature or pop one in the microwave for 15 seconds for that fresh out of the oven sensation.
FAQ about EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies
Can I use a boxed brownie mix instead?
While this homemade recipe is very simple, you can certainly use a box mix if you are in a time crunch. Just follow the package directions and add the Valentine’s M&Ms as instructed in our steps above.
How do I get clean cuts on my brownies?
The secret is patience. Let them cool completely. For the cleanest lines, wipe your knife with a warm, damp cloth between every single cut.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans add a wonderful texture that complements the crunch of the M&Ms perfectly.
For a different texture, you might also like these Chewy M&M Brownies which offer a slightly different ratio of ingredients.
Final Thoughts on EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies
I truly hope these EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies bring as much joy to your kitchen as they do to mine. Remember, cooking is about making people happy, and nothing says happiness like a tray of freshly baked brownies. If you enjoyed this recipe, please save it to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it next year!
I would love to hear how yours turned out, so please leave a comment below. And if you want more family friendly recipes delivered straight to your inbox, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter. Grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!
EASY Valentines M&Ms Brownies
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture looks slightly shiny and glossy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and ribbons off the whisk.
- Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Use a spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Fold in about half of the Valentine’s Day M&Ms and all the chocolate chips (if using) to distribute them evenly in the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with the spatula.
- Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms over the top and press them down lightly so they are partially embedded but still visible on the surface.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Then, lift them out using the parchment paper and slice into 16 squares.
