Halloween Candy-Stuffed Brownies with Browned Butter

These Halloween brownies are loaded with candy inside and topped with M&Ms halfway through baking. Browned butter gives them a rich, nutty flavor, perfect for a festive treat! This is my post halloween trick or treating tradition

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• About 2 cups Halloween candy pieces (chopped Snickers, Reese’s, Kit-Kats, candy corn, etc.)
• 1/2 cup M&Ms for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prep pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Brown the butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until golden brown and nutty (about 5–7 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Mix the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and browned butter until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each. Stir in vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
4. Layer the candy: Spread chopped Halloween candy evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. Pour batter over candy: Pour brownie batter over the candy and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. Bake: Bake for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle M&Ms evenly on top. Return to the oven and bake for another 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool and serve: Let brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing.

Tips

• Use a mix of chocolate and peanut butter candies for extra texture.
• For gooier candy centers, slightly underbake the brownies.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.