If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that’ll fill your kitchen with cozy holiday vibes, you’ve hit the jackpot. This Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&M’s Recipe is an absolute showstopper: buttery, chewy, and bursting with the colorful crunch of those classic red and green M&M’s. Trust me, these blondies have become my go-to holiday bake, and I can’t wait for you to try them – you’re going to love how easy they are and how everyone always asks for the recipe afterward!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Chewy Texture: Browning the butter gives these blondies a rich, chewy bite you won’t find in your average bar cookie.
- Festive Color and Crunch: M&M’s add that classic Christmas vibe and a fun pop of texture in every bite.
- Simple Ingredients & Quick Prep: You probably already have everything on hand, and it comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These blondies hold up beautifully if you need to bake in advance or freeze for later.
Ingredients & Why They Work
All the ingredients in this Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&M’s Recipe work together to create that melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive flavor. The browned butter adds nuttiness, the brown sugar brings chewiness, and those M&M’s and chocolate chips are the star players for texture and holiday spirit.
- Browned Butter: This step is a game changer—it brings a rich, nutty depth you won’t get with melted plain butter.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and chewiness thanks to its molasses content, perfect for blondies.
- Egg & Egg Yolk: Using both keeps these blondies tender but sturdy enough to hold together nicely.
- Vanilla: Classic flavor enhancer that balances the sweetness and adds warmth.
- Cornstarch: Helps keep the blondies soft and tender by reducing gluten toughness.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, but be sure to spoon it lightly into your cup to avoid dense bars.
- M&M’s: The festive, melty candy coating adds gorgeous pops of color and crunch—tip: use the holiday-themed red and green!
- Chocolate Chips: A double dose of chocolate magic that melts perfectly inside the chewy blondie.
- Flaked Salt: A sprinkle on top balances sweetness with a touch of saltiness that wakes up all flavors.
Make It Your Way
The fun thing about this Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&M’s Recipe is how easily it can be customized to your taste or dietary needs. Over the years, I’ve experimented and found some cool tweaks that I’m excited to share.
- Nutty Upgrade: Once, I tossed in some chopped pecans alongside the M&M’s, and that extra crunch was a holiday hit with family.
- Vegan Alternative: Use dairy-free butter and flax eggs; keep an eye on the baking time since it may vary slightly.
- Sprinkles for Extra Fun: Adding red and green sprinkles to the batter makes these even more festive and visually fun – perfect for holiday parties.
- Chocolate Variety: Swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate or peanut butter chips to switch up flavor profiles.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&M’s Recipe
Step 1: Brown Your Butter with Love
This step is where flavor magic happens. Melt ½ cup of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Let it bubble and foam a bit, then watch closely as it changes color to a golden brown and fills your kitchen with an irresistible nutty aroma. Trust me, keep stirring and don’t walk away here – it can burn quickly. Once browned, pour it into a bowl and let it cool while you prep the other ingredients. I usually time it so the butter cools just right—not hot enough to cook the eggs when mixed but not too cold to solidify.
Step 2: Whisk It All Together
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, and give it a quick spray of cooking spray so the blondies slide out easily. In a medium bowl, whisk browned butter with brown sugar until everything is glossy and well combined. Then, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, whisking again until smooth. This wet mixture is where your chewy texture starts to build.
Step 3: Fold in the Dry Ingredients and M&M’s
Mix in the cornstarch, salt, and flour until just combined—don’t overmix here or your blondies will turn out cakey, not chewy. Then fold in your half cup of M&M’s (I always use a heaping half cup because why not?), and chocolate chips gently. These little colorful candies melt just enough inside the blondies but still keep a satisfying crunch that I personally can’t get enough of.
Step 4: Bake and Add the Finishing Touch
Pour the batter into your lined pan, smoothing it out evenly with a spatula. Pop a few extra M&M’s on top for a festive look and sprinkle with flaky sea salt—you’ll be amazed at how that salt transforms the flavor. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes until the edges turn light golden brown. Remember, the center may look a little underdone, but that’s perfect since blondies continue to set as they cool. Patience truly pays off here!
Pro Tips for Making Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&M’s Recipe
- Keep an Eye on the Butter: Browning butter is quick, so stir constantly and remove from heat as soon as it turns golden to avoid bitterness.
- Flour Measurement Matters: Using a kitchen scale for flour ensures the best chewy texture; spoon flour lightly instead of scooping.
- Don’t Overbake: Blondies firm up as they cool, so take them out once edges are golden and center still looks slightly soft.
- Salt Is Your Friend: A sprinkle of flaky salt on top cuts sweetness and elevates the overall flavor beautifully.
How to Serve Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&M’s Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these blondies with just a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right out of the oven—that salty touch is my secret weapon. Sometimes I also add an extra handful of holiday-themed M&M’s or even drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate for a fancy finish. Your crew will definitely be impressed!
Side Dishes
Pair these blondies with a hot cup of peppermint mocha or spiced chai for the ultimate Christmas dessert experience. They also go surprisingly well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for those extra chilly holiday parties.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re gifting these or serving at a party, slice them into small squares and put them in festive mini cupcake liners for an easy grab-and-go treat. I’ve also wrapped individual blondies in clear plastic and tied with red and green ribbons for neighbor gifts—they’re always a huge hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These blondies keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I like to layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together, especially if you added extra chocolate chips or M&M’s on top.
Freezing
They freeze beautifully! Wrap individual blondies tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a couple of hours.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy a warm blondie, pop a chilled piece in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to get that gooey, chewy texture back. Just don’t overdo it or they’ll dry out!
FAQs
-
Can I use regular butter instead of browning it?
You can use melted butter without browning, but you’ll miss the deep, nutty flavor that browned butter adds. I highly recommend taking the extra few minutes—it’s the secret to the chewy richness in these blondies.
-
What if I don’t have cornstarch?
Cornstarch helps keep the blondies tender, but if you don’t have any, you can omit it and still have delicious results. Just be extra careful not to overmix the batter to avoid toughness.
-
Can I substitute other candies for the M&M’s?
Absolutely! You can use Reese’s Pieces, chopped candy canes for a minty crunch, or even dried cranberries if you prefer something less sweet but still colorful.
-
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?
Look for lightly golden edges and a slightly soft center. The center will set as it cools, so don’t wait for it to look fully firm before pulling them out to avoid dryness.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&M’s Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings a little festive magic to the simplest moments—whether that’s baking with my kids, gifting neighbors, or serving at a holiday gathering. It’s easy to make, impressive to serve, and absolutely delicious to eat. I hope you make these blondies part of your holiday traditions this year because once you taste that chewy, buttery goodness packed with colorful M&M’s, I promise you’ll keep coming back to this recipe year after year.
Print
Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&M’s Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously chewy Christmas blondies packed with m&m’s and chocolate chips, featuring a rich browned butter base and topped with flaky sea salt for a festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ½ cup (113.5 g) salted butter browned and cooled
- 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 egg yolk room temperature
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 cup (140 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (118.29 g) m&m’s (heaping ½ cup)
- ½ cup (90 g) chocolate chips
- flaked salt for topping
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Melt ½ cup of salted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking past the point of boiling, stirring constantly, until the butter foams and turns a golden brown color with a nutty aroma. Be attentive to prevent burning. Once browned, transfer the butter to a cup or bowl and allow it to cool.
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cooled browned butter and brown sugar until fully combined. Add the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the cornstarch, salt, and all-purpose flour until just combined. Carefully fold in the m&m’s and chocolate chips, taking care not to overmix.
- Assemble and Top: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula, then sprinkle a few extra m&m’s and some flaked salt evenly over the surface.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 23 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Avoid overbaking to keep the blondies chewy.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the blondies to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving for the best texture.
Notes
- For extra holiday flair, add ¼ cup of red and green sprinkles to the batter before baking.
- Do not overbake; the blondies will firm up as they cool for the perfect chewy texture.
- Use grams for more precise measurements, especially for flour, or lightly spoon flour into measuring cups to avoid packing.
