Description
These Christmas Magic Layer Brownie Bars combine rich semi-sweet chocolate brownies with festive toppings including nuts, holiday M&Ms, shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and colorful sprinkles for a deliciously decadent holiday treat perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Layer:
- 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 extract
Toppings Layer:
- 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 Oven 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 semi-sweet chocolate chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue microwaving and stirring in 30-second intervals until melted and smooth.
- Mix Brownie Batter: Beat in granulated sugar followed by vanilla extract and eggs until well combined. Stir in all-purpose flour until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake Brownie Base: Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes. The brownies will jiggle slightly but should be set on top.
- Add Toppings Layer: Remove pan from oven and layer nuts, half of the chocolate chips, half of the M&Ms, and all of the shredded coconut evenly over the baked brownie base.
- Pour Condensed Milk: Evenly pour sweetened condensed milk over the toppings. Gently spread to distribute it evenly.
- Finish Topping: Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips, remaining M&Ms, and holiday sprinkles on top of the condensed milk layer.
- Bake Again: Return to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until edges are golden and the middle is set and starting to brown. If top browns too fast, loosely tent with foil.
- Cool and Serve: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares with a sharp knife.
- Store Properly: Store the brownie bars in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to one week.
Notes
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or refrigerate for up to two weeks with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
- Freeze: Remove brownies from pan, wrap in plastic wrap then aluminum foil, and freeze up to three months. Individual squares can also be wrapped and frozen for easy treats. Thaw at room temperature for about one hour before serving.
- If the topping browns too quickly during the second bake, tent the pan loosely with foil to prevent burning while allowing the center to set.
- Optional nuts can be omitted or substituted with pecans, walnuts, or almonds to suit preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
