These M&M blondies are the sweetest treat for Valentine’s Day! With colorful M&M’s nestled inside, this chewy dessert is quick to whip up and perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself).
This blondie recipe tackles common issues like dry texture and lack of festive appeal for Valentine’s Day treats while ensuring a chewy, delicious outcome.
I’ve faced my share of baking hiccups, like forgetting to add the eggs, which can turn a good blondie into a sad slab. Trust me, these blondies don’t crumble easily, and they’re super easy to prepare, even on those busy weeknights.
What I love most is how this recipe mixes up in just one bowl and bakes in about 30 minutes. You’ll enjoy a warm nugget of joy that pairs wonderfully with a cup of milk and will surely spark smiles everywhere.
If you’re looking for another fun dessert, check out my strawberry blondies.
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Creamy Texture , The butter and brown sugar create that irresistible chewy texture that blondies are loved for. Each bite is soft, rich, and satisfying, making them a hit for chocolate lovers.
- Festive Appeal , With the colorful Valentine M&M’s mixed in, these blondies add a playful touch to any occasion, especially when you want to brighten up a dessert table.
- Quick Prep Time , You can whip these up in just 5 minutes, making it a breeze to surprise loved ones with a sweet treat without spending too much time in the kitchen.
- Make-Ahead Friendly , The batter can be prepared and stored in the fridge for a couple of days, letting you bake whenever you’re ready. This makes it easy to plan for special events!
M&M Blondies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cool Time:
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: baked
- Diet: vegetarian
Description
Delicious Valentine’s Day M&M Blondies that are easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup (151 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (440 g) brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (130 g) chocolate chips
- ¾ cup (130 g) Valentine M&M’s
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the parchment to overhang the sides for easy removal after baking.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, blend the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the mixture appears grainy, continue to cream until fully smooth to help create a chewy texture.
- Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Stir until the mixture is fully combined and moist throughout.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt thoroughly. This step evenly distributes the leavening agents for consistent texture throughout the blondies.
- Step 5: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing; some lumps are acceptable to prevent cakey blondies, preserving chewier results.
- Step 6: Stir in the chocolate chips and Valentine M&M’s into the batter. Reserve about ¼ cup (33 g) of M&M’s to sprinkle on top before baking for visual appeal.
- Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly and gently tap the pan on the counter to eliminate any air bubbles and promote an even bake.
- Step 8: Bake the blondies for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Do not open the oven door during the first 20 minutes to maintain a steady rise. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. If edges brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil halfway through baking to prevent burning.
- Step 9: Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for about 15 minutes in the pan. Then lift the blondies out using the parchment paper overhang. For easier cutting into heart shapes, let the blondies cool for up to 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for handling.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration: Keep blondies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain texture.
- Freezing: Wrap blondies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Mix wet ingredients separately before folding in dry ingredients if blondies seem too cakey to preserve a chewy texture.
- Reserve about ¼ cup of M&M’s to sprinkle on top before baking for a colorful finish.
- Tap the pan on the countertop after spreading batter to remove air bubbles and even out the bake.
- Cover edges loosely with foil during baking if they brown too quickly to avoid burning.
- Use room-temperature eggs to ensure smooth mixing and better texture.
- Reheat leftover blondies gently in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or until warm, taking care not to overheat and dry them out.
- Serve warm or at room temperature alongside vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a creamy contrast.
- Sprinkle crushed pecans or other nuts on top for added texture.
- Use blondies as a base for sundaes, dessert nachos with fruit, or layer in a trifle for a festive dessert.
- Drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce or dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness and visual appeal.
- Substitute Valentine M&M’s with seasonal or themed M&M’s for other occasions.
- Add ½ cup chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, for extra crunch.
- For a vegan adaptation, substitute butter and eggs with plant-based alternatives (not specified in recipe but suggested in expert notes).
- Use fresh all-purpose flour for best structure and chewy texture.
- Unsalted butter allows control over sweetness and supports moistness.
- Light or dark brown sugar can be used; molasses content in brown sugar helps retain softness.
- Regular-sized M&M’s provide crunchy texture and bursts of color; select flavors to match your preference.
- Pure vanilla extract enhances flavor depth significantly.
Nutrition
- Calories: Not specified
- Sugar: Not specified
- Sodium: Not specified
- Fat: Not specified
- Saturated Fat: Not specified
- Unsaturated Fat: Not specified
- Trans Fat: Not specified
- Carbohydrates: Not specified
- Fiber: Not specified
- Protein: Not specified
- Cholesterol: Not specified
Ingredient Notes
- All-purpose flour: Go for a good quality all-purpose flour to give the blondies structure and maintain their chewy texture. Make sure it’s fresh for the best results!
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for control over the sweetness and overall flavor. It contributes to the richness and moistness, so don’t skimp on it!
- Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar works here, adding that necessary caramel flavor and moisture. The molasses in the sugar helps keep your blondies soft. It’s a key player!
- M&Ms: I recommend using regular-sized M&Ms for a crunchy texture contrast and fun bursts of color. Choose your favorite flavors to match your mood!
- Eggs: One large egg helps bind the ingredients while bringing moisture to the batter. Room temperature is best so it mixes in smoothly.
- Vanilla extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract for a deeper flavor profile. It enhances the sweetness and overall taste, making a big difference in the final outcome.
Recipe Tips
- If the blondies are too cakey, mix the wet ingredients separately before folding in the dry ones to maintain a chewy texture.
- When cutting them into shapes, let the blondies cool in the pan for 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for easier handling.
- If you’re short on time, prepare the blondie batter up to 3 days in advance, then store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- For added sweetness, sprinkle ¼ cup of reserved M&M’s on top right before baking to create a colorful finish.
- If the edges brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil halfway through the 30-minute baking time to avoid burning.
Serving Suggestions
Serve M&M Blondies alongside vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a creamy complement. A sprinkle of crushed nuts, such as pecans, can add a nice contrast of texture.
Use M&M Blondies to make blondie sundaes or as a base for dessert nachos topped with fruit. Add to a layered trifle for a colorful and sweet treat.
Top with chocolate or caramel drizzle for added sweetness. A dusting of powdered sugar enhances the visual appeal on a dessert platter.
Recipe variations
- You can use white, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of the ¾ cup chocolate chips called for in the recipe for a subtle flavor change.
- Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or ½ teaspoon of ground ginger to the dry ingredients to introduce a warm spice note to the blondies without overpowering the M&M flavor.
- Either Valentine M&M’s or other seasonal M&M varieties can be used, depending on the occasion, with ¾ cup recommended to maintain the right candy balance.
- If making a larger batch, double all ingredient amounts and bake in a 9×18-inch pan, increasing bake time by 10-15 minutes; adjust checking accordingly for doneness.
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How to Store?
To keep your M&M blondies fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Place blondies in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep them for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
Refrigeration: Store blondies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within up to 5 days to keep texture intact.
Freezing: Wrap blondies tightly with plastic wrap, then place in a freezer container. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
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