Ultimate M&M Blondies: Your Go-To Recipe for Chewy, Buttery, and Irresistibly Fun Treats
Prepare to fall in love with these M&M Blondies! They are the epitome of a perfect dessert bar: wonderfully buttery, delightfully chewy, and bursting with vibrant mini M&M’s that add a cheerful touch to every bite. Whether you’re planning for a festive holiday gathering, a casual potluck, or simply craving a comforting homemade sweet, these blondies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Imagine the joy of finding red and green M&M’s during the Christmas season, instantly transforming these golden bars into a truly magical holiday delight. But don’t limit yourself – switch out the colors for any occasion, making them versatile for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or even Halloween!
You might be thinking, “Another sweet treat after all that Thanksgiving indulgence?” And yes, we know you’re likely still recovering from an abundance of pumpkin pie and pecan pie. But here at Spicy Southern Kitchen, we’re already eagerly anticipating the next wave of delicious holiday baking. There’s something undeniably special about filling your home with the aroma of freshly baked goods, and these M&M Blondies offer a refreshing change of pace from traditional holiday desserts.
While many home bakers automatically reach for cookie recipes during the holiday season, we have a special place in our hearts for dessert bars, including both classic brownies and their equally delightful cousin, blondies. They offer a unique set of advantages that make them incredibly appealing, especially when you’re juggling a busy schedule. Forget the tedious process of shaping individual cookies; bars are effortlessly simple to prepare. You just spread the batter into a pan, bake, and slice! This simplicity translates into less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the festive season.
Beyond their ease of preparation, blondies boast excellent keeping qualities. Stored correctly, they remain moist and delicious for days, making them perfect for make-ahead holiday gifts or treats throughout the week. The only real challenge, if you can even call it that, is summoning the patience to let them cool completely before slicing. We know how tempting it is to dig into warm, gooey blondies straight from the oven, but resisting that urge ensures beautifully neat squares and the perfect chewy texture that truly defines a great blondie.
The Secret to Perfect Blondies: A Trusted Recipe Base
This particular M&M Blondie recipe is a wonderful adaptation from America’s Test Kitchen, a source renowned for its meticulously tested and foolproof recipes. Their dedication to culinary perfection means that when you start with one of their recipes, you’re almost guaranteed success. This makes it an ideal foundation for customization, allowing you to experiment with various mix-ins and flavors while relying on a perfectly balanced base. We love the vibrant pop of color and subtle crunch that mini M&M’s bring to these blondies, instantly brightening any dreary autumn day. However, if you prefer, classic chocolate chips or even a mix of white and dark chocolate chips would be equally delicious, offering a slightly different flavor profile. The core of these blondies—their soft, chewy texture and perfectly calibrated sweetness—remains consistent, regardless of your chosen additions.
Essential Baking Tips for Flawless Blondies
Achieving the perfect blondie is all about precision and knowing when to pull them from the oven. Follow these critical tips to ensure your M&M Blondies are nothing short of spectacular.
How Do I Know When My Blondies Are Done?
The toothpick test is your best friend when baking blondies. Insert a wooden toothpick into the very center of the pan. If it comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, your blondies are perfectly done. It’s crucial not to wait for the toothpick to come out completely clean, as this indicates overbaking, which can result in dry, crumbly blondies instead of the desired soft and chewy texture. Remember that blondies continue to cook slightly from residual heat after being removed from the oven, so slightly underbaked is better than overbaked. The edges should look set and slightly golden, while the center might still appear a little soft.
Measure The Flour Correctly for Best Texture
Accurate flour measurement is one of the most vital steps in baking, especially for recipes like blondies where texture is paramount. Too much flour will lead to a dense, dry, and tough product. To measure correctly, avoid scooping flour directly from the bag with your measuring cup, as this compacts the flour and adds significantly more than intended. Instead, gently fluff the flour in its bag or container with a spoon. Then, use a large spoon to lightly scoop the flour into your dry measuring cup until it overflows slightly. Finally, use the flat side of a knife or a straight edge to level off the excess flour, ensuring an exact measurement. This simple technique can make a world of difference in the final chewiness of your blondies.
How To Store M&M Blondies to Keep Them Fresh
These delicious M&M Blondies store remarkably well, allowing you to enjoy them for days. At room temperature, they will stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days when kept in an airtight container. Make sure to store them away from direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain their quality. If you want to extend their life, blondies freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars or the entire cooled slab tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature, or warm them slightly in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel.
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Explore More Blondie Recipes You’ll Love
If you’ve fallen for the charm of these M&M Blondies, you’ll be thrilled to discover our other fantastic blondie variations. Each recipe offers a unique twist on this beloved bar cookie:
- Butterscotch Toffee Blondies: Indulge in rich butterscotch flavor combined with crunchy toffee bits.
- Raspberry-Pecan Blondies: A delightful blend of tart raspberries and earthy pecans for a sophisticated treat.
- Chocolate Chip Blondies with Caramel Bourbon Sauce: Classic chocolate chip blondies elevated with a luxurious homemade caramel bourbon sauce.
- Cake Mix Bars: An incredibly easy and versatile recipe using cake mix for quick, delicious dessert bars.
- Charleston Chewies: A classic Southern bar cookie, dense, chewy, and bursting with flavor.
M&M Blondies Recipe
These M&M Blondies are fabulously buttery and chewy, featuring a festive and colorful appearance thanks to a generous amount of mini M&M’s. They taste incredible on their own and also serve as a fantastic base for an ice cream sundae!
By Christin Mahrlig
Cook: 22 mins
Total: 32 mins
Print Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13-inch Baking Pan
- Baking spray with flour
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 12 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup mini M&Ms, plus extra for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting. Spray the foil with baking spray with flour (or grease thoroughly with butter).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the packed light brown sugar and melted, cooled butter until well combined. Then, whisk in the large eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Using a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula, gradually stir the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are acceptable.
- Gently fold in the 3/4 cup of mini M&M’s.
- Pour the blondie batter into the prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly into all corners. Sprinkle a few more mini M&M’s on top of the batter for extra visual appeal, lightly pressing them in so they adhere.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached. (See “How Do I Know When My Blondies Are Done?” for more details).
- Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out by the foil overhang and slicing them into squares. This ensures they set properly and are perfectly chewy.
Notes
These M&M Blondies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicious freshness and chewy texture.
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and will vary based on brands of products used.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this recipe?
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