Need a quick dessert for Memorial Day? Try these easy homemade fudgy brownies made with rich chocolate and topped with red white and blue treats, perfect for a family favorite weeknight dinner or special occasion, Save for later

Fudgy Memorial Day Brownies – Rich, Chewy and Topped with Red, White and Blue Fun!

Introduction

As Memorial Day approaches, many of us are looking for delicious and patriotic desserts to serve at our barbecues and gatherings. These Fudgy Memorial Day Brownies are the perfect treat to celebrate the holiday. Made with rich, dark chocolate and topped with red, white, and blue M&M’s or sprinkles, these brownies are not only delicious but also visually stunning. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make and require only a few everyday ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, these brownies are sure to impress your friends and family.

Why This Works

Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of dark chocolate, sugar, and eggs creates a deep, fudgy flavor that’s balanced by the sweetness of the chocolate chips and the crunch of the M&M’s or sprinkles. Plus, all of the ingredients are easily found at your local grocery store.
Ease of preparation: These brownies are a breeze to make, requiring only a few minutes of prep time and a short bake in the oven. The simple instructions and minimal ingredients make it easy to whip up a batch in no time.
Impressive results with minimal effort: Despite their ease of preparation, these brownies are sure to impress your friends and family with their rich, fudgy texture and colorful toppings. They’re perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and other gatherings where you want to bring a dish that’s both delicious and visually appealing.

Key Ingredients

The key ingredients in these Fudgy Memorial Day Brownies include dark chocolate, sugar, eggs, flour, and M&M’s or sprinkles. You’ll also need some basic pantry staples like salt and vanilla extract. If you don’t have dark chocolate, you can substitute it with semi-sweet chocolate chips or a combination of milk chocolate and cocoa powder. For the M&M’s or sprinkles, feel free to get creative and use your favorite colors or toppings. Some other options might include chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even candy pieces like chopped peanut butter cups or chopped candy canes.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, melt the dark chocolate and butter in the microwave or over a double boiler. Once melted, let cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s or sprinkles.
Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.

Handy Tips

To ensure that your brownies are fudgy and not cakey, don’t overbake them. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs attached.
If you’re using M&M’s or sprinkles, press them gently into the top of the brownies before baking to ensure they stick.
To make these brownies more festive, consider using red, white, and blue M&M’s or sprinkles, or even adding some chopped nuts or shredded coconut to the batter for extra texture and flavor.

Heat Control

When baking these brownies, it’s essential to keep an eye on the temperature and timing to ensure they’re cooked to perfection. The ideal temperature for baking brownies is 350°F (180°C), and the baking time will depend on the size of your pan and the thickness of the batter. As a general rule, bake the brownies for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. If you’re unsure whether the brownies are done, try gently pressing on the top – if they feel set and not squishy, they’re ready to come out of the oven.

Crunch Factor

One of the best things about these Fudgy Memorial Day Brownies is the crunch factor from the M&M’s or sprinkles on top. To achieve this, simply press the M&M’s or sprinkles gently into the top of the brownies before baking. This will help them stick to the brownies and create a fun, colorful topping. If you’re looking for other ways to add crunch to your brownies, consider adding some chopped nuts or shredded coconut to the batter – these will add texture and flavor to the brownies and complement the chocolate and M&M’s or sprinkles perfectly.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

To make these brownies even more fudgy, try adding an extra egg yolk to the batter. This will add richness and moisture to the brownies and make them even more decadent.
If you’re short on time, consider making these brownies ahead of time and freezing them until you’re ready to serve. Simply thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave for a few seconds.
To make cleanup easier, line your baking pan with parchment paper before adding the batter. This will make it easy to lift the brownies out of the pan and transfer them to a cutting board for slicing.

Storage Tips

These Fudgy Memorial Day Brownies are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 5 days.
If you want to freeze the brownies, simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen brownies will keep for up to 2 months.
To reheat frozen brownies, simply thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave for a few seconds.

Gift Packaging Ideas

These Fudgy Memorial Day Brownies are perfect for gifting to friends and family, especially during the holiday season. Consider packaging them in a cute container or bag and adding a few festive touches like ribbons or gift tags. Some other ideas might include packaging the brownies in a mason jar or wrapping them individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Whatever you choose, be sure to include a few extra M&M’s or sprinkles on top for a fun and colorful touch.

Flavor Variations

🌟 Different spices: Consider adding a pinch of salt or a teaspoon of espresso powder to the batter for a unique flavor twist.
🌟 Creative toppings: In addition to M&M’s or sprinkles, consider topping your brownies with chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even candy pieces like chopped peanut butter cups or chopped candy canes.
🌟 Ingredient swaps: If you don’t have dark chocolate, consider substituting it with semi-sweet chocolate chips or a combination of milk chocolate and cocoa powder. You could also swap out the sugar for honey or maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.

Troubleshooting

Texture problems: If your brownies are too cakey, try reducing the amount of flour in the recipe. If they’re too fudgy, try baking them for a few minutes longer.
Ingredient replacements: If you don’t have a certain ingredient, try substituting it with something similar. For example, you could use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of dark chocolate or honey instead of sugar.
Over/undercooking signs: If your brownies are overcooked, they may be dry and crumbly. If they’re undercooked, they may be gooey and raw-tasting. Try to aim for a toothpick inserted into the center that comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.

FAQs

Can I freeze it? Yes, these Fudgy Memorial Day Brownies can be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in a freezer-safe bag.
Is it gluten-free? No, these brownies contain wheat flour and are not gluten-free. However, you could try substituting the flour with a gluten-free alternative like almond flour or coconut flour.
Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can easily double or triple this recipe to make a larger batch of brownies. Simply multiply the ingredients and adjust the baking time as needed.

Conclusion

These Fudgy Memorial Day Brownies are the perfect treat to celebrate the holiday. With their rich, fudgy texture and colorful toppings, they’re sure to impress your friends and family. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, these brownies are easy to make and require only a few everyday ingredients. So go ahead, get creative, and make a batch of these delicious brownies to enjoy at your next gathering. And don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using the hashtag #memorialdaybrownies – we can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Fudgy Memorial Day Brownies Rich Chewy