Description
Christmas Magic Layer Brownie Bars are a festive treat combining rich chocolate brownies with layers of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, nuts, holiday M&Ms, and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars offer a delightful mix of textures and flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Base
- 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup salted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Toppings
- ¾ cup nuts (optional, divided)
- ¼ cup mini holiday M&Ms (divided)
- ¾ cup regular holiday M&Ms (divided)
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided)
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk (from a 14 ounce can)
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: Place butter and chocolate chips in a large, microwaveable mixing bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue microwaving and stirring in 30-second intervals until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Beat in the granulated sugar until combined. Add vanilla extract, eggs, and egg yolk, then beat until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Add Flour: Gently stir in the all-purpose flour until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a fudgy texture.
- Bake Brownie Base: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. The brownies will still jiggle slightly but the top should look set.
- Add Toppings: Remove the brownies from the oven. Evenly layer the nuts, half of the chocolate chips, half of the M&Ms, and all of the shredded coconut over the baked base. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top and spread gently to ensure even distribution. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips, M&Ms, and finally the holiday sprinkles over the top.
- Bake Final Layer: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is set and just beginning to brown. If the top starts browning too fast, tent loosely with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 9 equal squares using a sharp knife. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the nuts or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Use parchment paper for easier removal of the brownie bars from the pan.
- Letting the bars cool completely before cutting helps to achieve clean slices without crumbling.
- If mini M&Ms are unavailable, use additional regular holiday M&Ms chopped roughly for variety in texture.
- Tent with foil if the bars brown too quickly on top during the second baking to prevent burning.
- Store bars in a sealed container at room temperature to maintain freshness for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 499 kcal
- Sugar: 46 g
- Sodium: 117 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 49 mg
