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Home » Recipes » Bars

Peanut Butter m&ms Brownies

Published: May 17, 2024 · Updated: Sep 1, 2024 by Marye

Easy, fudgy M&M Brownies have a salty peanut butter swirl that makes them irresistible. Always perfectly moist and chewy and they freeze well.
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 40 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe
A peanut butter swirled brownie on a plate.
Brownies with M&Ms in the top on a blue and white plate.

Adding m&ms candy to these chewy bars with a river of peanut butter swirling throughout makes them colorful and fun - they make a wonderful lunchbox surprise. Be sure to try these monster cookies, too.

A peanut butter swirled brownie on a plate.
Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🍴 Equipment
  • 🥫 How to store leftovers
  • Marye's Tip
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • Chocolate and peanut butter with chocolatey bursts of melty m&ms make these obession-worthy!
  • Tuck into lunches, pile on a plate for unforgettable after-school snacks, perfect for parties and potlucks!
  • Since it's all mixed by hand we're talking about a 1 bowl, almost no mess, easy recipe.

I can't resist a fudgy brownie.

These have all of the dark chocolate chewiness of my favorite brownies but with the addition of a peanut butter swirl and a generous amount of m&ms sprinkled randomly throughout.

When the brownies are cooled the candy coating and chocolate in the m&ms provides a crisp, dense burst of milk chocolate as you eat them.

The peanut butter stays smooth and salty-rich which keeps the brownies from being overly sweet.

They're perfect, I tell ya.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for m&m brownies.

📖 Variations

  1. Make them even gooey-er by adding about ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter.
  2. Use peanut butter chips in the batter.
  3. Or, use peanut butter m&ms.
  4. Use Reese's Pieces or Peanut Butter m&ms.
  5. Instead of peanut butter what about a Nutella swirl?
  6. Try mini-m&ms.

🤫 Cook's secrets -

I like to wrap these fudgy chocolate brownies individually and put them in a plastic freezer container. That way you can just get a few out when you are making the kids' lunches and pop them right into each lunch box. They'll be thawed and ready to eat at lunchtime.

🍴 Equipment

  1. large mixing bowl
  2. 13x9-inch pan
  3. measuring cups and spoons
  4. parchment paper

🥫 How to store leftovers

Leave the brownies in the baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Or store in an airtight container.

To freeze -

They freeze well and work great for school lunches.

  1. Let brownies cool completely.
  2. Cut into bars.
  3. Place in an airtight, freezer safe container with waxed paper or parchment between the layers.
  4. Freeze for up to 3 months.

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Marye's Tip

Be sure not to overcook these brownies. They should be still somewhat soft in the middle when you take them from the oven and you'll need to let them cool a bit.

💭 Things to know

  • The secret to dark fudgy brownies is using unsweetened dark cocoa powder.
  • Don't over-mix! If you mix the batter too much with cause the brownies to be caky, crumbly, and tough. Stop mixing once you can't see the dry ingredients anymore.
  • If you plan to take homemade brownies out of the baking dish before serving line it with parchment paper and grease the parchment paper. The brownies will lift right out.
  • Use a really good quality vanilla extract. It does make a difference.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

How do you add m&ms to brownies?

Stir about ¾ cup of m&ms into the brownie batter. Spoon the batter into the pan and scatter the remaining ¼ cup on the top.

Can I add nuts to brownies?

You can. I think it's overkill, honestly, but you could add up to about ½ cup of chopped nuts to the batter before baking.

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📞 The last word

If you love a moist, chewy, gooey brownie then these are your jam. They are a combination of peanut butter and classic brownie flavors and they are totally irresistible. 

If you happen to have a love of raw cookie dough, like me, try these rich cookie dough brownies, too. Layers of chocolate, cookie dough and ganache - SO good.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

A peanut butter swirled brownie on a plate.

Peanut Butter Brownies

4.92 from 12 votes
Print Save Recipe Saved! Rate Recipe
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Easy, fudgy M&M Brownies have a salty peanut butter swirl that makes them irresistible. Always perfectly moist and chewy and they freeze well.
Course Bar cookies
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings:36 bars
Calories:232
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups butter, melted
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup dark cocoa powder, (the darkest you can find…do not substitute baking chocolate)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or ¼ teaspoon regular table salt
  • 1 cup M&Ms candies
  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F
  • Grease a 13 x 9-inch pan (line with parchment if desired)
  • Whisk cooled melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla together in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
  • Blend the dry ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Stir in the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until well blended but do not over beat.
  • Fold in the M & Ms, reserving about ¼ cup to sprinkle on top.
  • Spoon into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  • Place the peanut butter in a small mixing bowl. Make sure it's microwave safe.
  • Warm it for a few seconds, just until it is soft enough to spread easily.
  • Spoon it in thick lines across the brownies.
  • Use a spoon to swirl it through the brownie batter - don't overmix.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup M&Ms.
  • Bake at 350F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until done but still soft in the middle.

Notes

Expert Tip: Be sure not to overcook these brownies. They should be still somewhat soft in the middle when you take them from the oven and you'll need to let them cool a bit.
  • Don't over-mix! If you mix the batter too much with cause the brownies to be caky, crumbly, and tough. Stop mixing once you can't see the dry ingredients anymore.
  • If you plan to take the brownies out of the pan before serving line it with parchment paper and grease the parchment paper. The brownies will lift right out.
You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 145mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 249IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

First published August 14, 2014. Last updated May 17, 2024 for editorial improvements.

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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    4.92 from 12 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Mimi says

    April 07, 2024 at 6:34 pm

    5 stars
    looks scrumstillyicious the only thing I would change is use peanut butter M&Ms instead of regular

    Reply
  2. Henry says

    September 15, 2023 at 8:51 am

    5 stars
    LOVE IT but i eat to many so I throw up

    Reply
  3. Henry says

    September 15, 2023 at 8:50 am

    5 stars
    Amazing love it

    Reply
  4. Lois says

    February 15, 2023 at 4:27 pm

    5 stars
    These are on my list of others
    of your recipes. Sound scrumptious!

    Reply
  5. Sandra McCoy says

    December 29, 2021 at 9:52 am

    5 stars
    Just received your first recipe by email after subscribing to your site. Look forward to making the M & M brownies. What my comment is, regarding the beautiful, helpful, direct directions you provide for success!!
    Sandra McCoy, Kentucky

    Reply
  6. Jocelyn Wilhelm says

    May 13, 2021 at 9:19 am

    OMG my mouth is watering just looking at these deliciousness! I love the fact that I don’t need to use any fancy equipments. A must try for sure. Thank you!

    Reply
  7. Sandra Shaffer says

    August 04, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    These look scrumptious! Peanut butter and chocolate are absolutely comfort food. The m&m's just take it over the top!

    Reply
  8. Renee's Kitchen Adventures says

    August 04, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    These look like absolute comfort food at its best. Chocolate, peanut butter and M&M's...what can be wrong about that?? Nothing! YUM!!

    Reply
  9. Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says

    August 04, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    As soon as I saw the first picture my mind started singing "I'm in heaven." I am included to agree with my inner singer! I am in heaven. YUM.

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      August 04, 2014 at 2:09 pm

      🙂 I love chocolate and peanut butter! Thanks to you and your inner singer for stopping by!

      Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

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