If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate festive treat, I’ve got just the thing for you: Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe. I absolutely love how these blondies come out—soft, chewy, and bursting with colorful M&Ms that add the perfect holiday touch. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just want to treat yourself, this recipe will quickly become a favorite around your kitchen. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so you get that perfect chewy bite every time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Chewy Texture: Browning the butter makes these blondies irresistibly tender with a rich, nutty flavor.
Festive and Fun: The M&Ms add vibrant pops of color and sweetness, making it a crowd-pleaser during the holidays.
Super Simple to Make: With straightforward ingredients and easy steps, you’ll whip these up even on your busiest days.
Adaptable for All Occasions: While perfect for Christmas, these blondies are delicious year-round—just swap the M&Ms for your favorite mix-ins.

Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe is carefully chosen to give you that chewy, buttery texture with just the right touch of sweetness. I like to use browned butter whenever I can—it totally transforms the flavor, and the M&Ms bring the holiday spirit right into the middle of each bite.

Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe - Ingredients

Salted Butter: Browning the butter adds a deeper, nutty flavor that makes these blondies stand out.
Brown Sugar: This gives the blondies their chewy texture and rich sweetness.
Egg and Egg Yolk: Using an extra yolk makes the texture extra soft and fudgy.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a classic warmth.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Cornstarch: Helps keep the blondies tender and chewy, perfect for that soft bite.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the recipe, providing structure without toughness.
M&Ms: The star of the show! I usually scoop a heaping half cup to get plenty of colorful candy goodness.
Chocolate Chips: Adds a melty chocolate surprise alongside the M&Ms.
Flaked Salt: Sprinkled on top for that perfect salty crunch that balances the sweetness beautifully.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe is super flexible—you can easily swap out ingredients or add your own flair to make it truly yours. Over the years, I’ve tried a few fun twists that keep things exciting without complicating the process.

Add Sprinkles: For an extra festive vibe, I toss in a quarter cup of red and green sprinkles along with the M&Ms—it immediately brightens up the blondies and makes them look party-ready.
Nutty Twist: Feel free to mix in chopped walnuts or pecans if you like a bit of crunch. My family goes crazy when I add nuts, especially around the holidays.
Dairy-Free Version: Use a plant-based butter substitute and make sure your chocolate chips are dairy-free to accommodate dietary preferences without losing the chewiness.
Mint Lovers’ Variation: Swap some M&Ms for mint chocolate chips for a refreshing holiday twist I discovered just last year. It’s a total hit!

How to Make Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Butter to Unlock Flavor

This step is what makes these blondies something special. Take half a cup of salted butter and melt it over medium heat in a saucepan. As it cooks, it’ll foam up and then slowly start to turn golden brown. You’ll want to keep a close eye here—stir frequently and sniff for that nutty, toasted aroma. Once it hits that perfect shade of golden brown, immediately remove from heat and pour it into a bowl to cool. Trust me, this little trick adds so much depth and richness!

Step 2: Prep Your Pan Like a Pro

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. I find this ensures easy removal and cleanup. After placing the parchment, give it a light spray of cooking spray so the blondies don’t stick to the edges. Getting this right helps keep those edges soft instead of crunchy.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your cooled browned butter with the brown sugar until smooth and combined. Then add the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Whisk again until everything is incorporated. You’ll notice the batter get a bit glossy and thick, which is exactly what you want—this means you’re on the right track!

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients and Mix-Ins

Sprinkle in the cornstarch, salt, and flour. Stir gently to combine—you don’t want to overmix here or the blondies will turn cakey. Then, carefully fold in your M&Ms and chocolate chips. Folding instead of stirring aggressively keeps those mix-ins intact and well distributed, ensuring colorful bites every time.

Step 5: Bake to Chewy Perfection

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Press a few extra M&Ms on top along with a sprinkle of flaked salt—that salty-sweet combo is my personal fave! Bake for 20 to 23 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remember, these blondies will continue to set as they cool, so avoid the temptation to overbake. Your kitchen will smell amazing by this stage—trust me, you’ll want to sneak a bite the second they’re out of the oven!

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Pro Tips for Making Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe

Watch Your Butter Carefully: Browning butter can go from perfect to burnt fast—stir frequently and remove it as soon as it smells nutty.
Use Room Temperature Eggs: It helps create a smoother batter that incorporates more evenly with the sugars and butter.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overworking the flour develops gluten, which means tougher blondies—fold gently for tender results.
Check Doneness Early: Blondies can go from chewy to dry quickly, so start checking around 20 minutes and pull them out while edges are golden but center is still soft.

How to Serve Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe

Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I’m all about the flaked salt on top—it adds a gourmet touch and cuts through the sweetness perfectly. Sometimes, I’ll also dust a little powdered sugar for extra holiday sparkle. Fresh holly leaves or a sprig of rosemary beside the serving plate really makes these blondies look festive when guests arrive.

Side Dishes

These blondies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows. For a party, I like setting out some peppermint bark or spiced nuts alongside for a sweet-and-salty holiday spread everyone can enjoy.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve served these blondies at holiday gatherings, I like cutting them into bite-sized squares and arranging them on a festive platter layered with holly or poinsettia leaves. Wrapping individual pieces in clear cellophane tied with red and green ribbons makes perfect little gifts or party favors. You can also layer them between wax paper in a decorative tin for a charming homemade gift idea!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store these blondies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay chewy and delicious for up to 4 days this way. If you want to keep them for a bit longer, just make sure they’re well sealed so they don’t dry out.

Freezing

Freezing this Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe works like a charm. I usually cut them into squares, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temp or gently warm in the microwave for about 15 seconds. The texture stays surprisingly close to fresh!

Reheating

To bring back the “freshly baked” experience, I pop leftover blondies in the microwave for roughly 10-15 seconds. This warms the chocolate just right and brings back that chewy softness I adore. Just don’t overheat or they might dry out slightly.

FAQs

Can I use regular butter instead of salted butter for this recipe?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter if that’s what you have on hand. Just be sure to add an extra pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors throughout the blondies.
What if I don’t have cornstarch? Can I skip it?

Cornstarch helps keep the blondies tender and chewy by preventing gluten overdevelopment. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with an equal amount of arrowroot powder or tapioca starch, or just skip it—but expect a slightly different texture.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just make sure your blend contains xanthan gum or similar to provide structure, so the blondies hold together well.
My blondies turned out cakey instead of chewy. What did I do wrong?

Most likely, the batter was overmixed or the blondies were overbaked. To avoid this, gently fold the flour and mix-ins into the batter and pull them from the oven when the edges are golden but the center still looks slightly underdone—it will firm up as it cools.
Can I double this recipe for a bigger batch?

Yes! Just double the ingredients and bake in a larger pan, like a 9×13-inch. You may need to increase the baking time by a few minutes—check doneness carefully to avoid overbaking.

Final Thoughts

This Chewy Christmas Blondies with M&Ms Recipe is truly a holiday gem that I reach for year after year. It captures all the cozy, colorful joy of Christmas in one sweet, chewy bite. Whether you’re baking with family, bringing treats to a party, or just craving something special for the season, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this recipe a try. I’m confident it’ll become one of your favorites, just like it did for me!