Name: Smarties Brownies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 2/3 cup (150 g) unsalted butter; 5 oz (140 g) semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped; 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar; 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 3/4 cup (90 g) all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup (30 g) unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 pinch of salt; 7 oz (200 g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped; 1/3 cup (75 ml) heavy cream; Smarties candies (or chocolate candy-coated pieces like M&M’s)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review

These Smarties brownies are rich, fudgy, and topped with a creamy layer of chocolate ganache and colorful Smarties. A fun and easy treat that’s perfect for birthdays, bake sales, or just a sweet moment with the kids!

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Ingredients You Need
How to Make Smarties Brownies
Tips for this recipe
Variations & Substitutions
Recipe Questions
You will also love
Smarties Brownies

These Smarties brownies are one of my kids’ favorite treats—and honestly, mine too! As a mom, I’m always looking for fun, easy desserts we can share after school or bring to birthday parties, and these never fail. They’re colorful, rich, and bring instant smiles.

The base is a super fudgy chocolate brownie—dense and chewy just the way we love it. Then I add a thick layer of smooth chocolate ganache on top, and finish with a handful of Smarties candy for a fun, crunchy twist. It’s a combo that’s both playful and totally delicious.

These brownies are perfect for parties, school events, holidays, or anytime you want to make something fun and festive. Whether you serve them at a birthday or just want a sweet pick-me-up during the week, they’re always a hit!

Ingredients You Need

Butter – Unsalted and melted with chocolate for that rich, fudgy texture.
Chocolate – Use dark or semi-sweet chocolate (64% or more) for deep flavor and extra gooeyness.
Sugar – A mix of powdered sugar and light brown sugar for a chewy bite.
Eggs – Room temperature large eggs help create a smooth, glossy batter.
Flour – All-purpose flour, measured with a scale for best results.
Cocoa powder – Unsweetened, for a more intense chocolate taste.
Vanilla & Salt – A splash of vanilla and a pinch of fleur de sel to boost flavor.
Smarties – Use mini Smarties or any candy-coated chocolate for a fun, colorful topping.

square of chocolate brownies with smarties on top

How to Make Smarties Brownies

Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full recipe instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the recipe card below!

Melt the chopped chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler until smooth and fully melted.

medium bowl with butter and chocolate pieces

medium bowl with melted chocolate mixture

In a large bowl, mix the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with a hand mixer for 1–2 minutes until light and slightly foamy. Pour in the melted chocolate-butter mixture and mix until smooth.

Add the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold with a spatula until fully combined and the batter is rich and glossy.

large mixing bowl with egg mixture and chocolate mixture

large mixing bowl with flour mixture on brownies batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Pour the brownie batter into the pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.

Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the brownie cool completely in the pan—it will set and become fudgier as it cools.

Make the chocolate ganache by placing chopped chocolate in a bowl. Heat the heavy cream until simmering, then pour it over the chocolate. Stir until smooth and glossy. If needed, microwave in short bursts to fully melt.

Pour the ganache over the cooled brownie and spread it into an even layer. Top immediately with mini Smarties or chocolate candies for a fun, colorful finish.

Chill for at least 1 hour before slicing into 16 squares. These fudgy brownies are perfect served cold with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips for this recipe

Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements—especially for flour and cocoa.
Don’t overbake: the center should still be slightly soft when you pull them out.
Let them cool completely before adding ganache, or it might melt off.
Chill the brownies before slicing for clean, sharp edges.
Use mini Smarties or M&M's—they’re the perfect size and stay colorful after baking.
Store in the fridge for a fudgier texture and to keep the ganache set.

Variations & Substitutions

Peanut Butter Smarties Brownies – Swirl in peanut butter before baking for a salty-sweet combo.
Cosmic Brownies Copycat – Use rainbow chips or colored candy buttons to mimic the nostalgic treat.
Nutella Smarties Brownies – Add a Nutella layer between two brownie batters or mix it into the ganache.
Mini Smarties Brownie Bites – Bake in mini muffin pans for party-friendly, bite-sized treats.
Smarties Cookie Brownies (Brookies) – Add a cookie dough layer on top or bottom for a two-in-one dessert.
Smarties Blondies – Swap cocoa for vanilla batter for a chewy, colorful blondie alternative.

Recipe Questions

Can I bake Smarties in brownies without them melting?
Yes, but it's best to add Smarties after baking or on top of ganache, since they can crack or fade in color when baked directly into the batter.

Do Smarties melt in the oven?
Yes, they can melt and lose color if baked too long. For best results, use them as decoration after baking.

How do I keep the ganache layer smooth on brownies?
Let the brownies cool completely, pour slightly cooled ganache on top, and spread evenly with an offset spatula for a clean finish.

Can I use M&M’s instead of Smarties for these brownies?
Absolutely. Mini M&M’s are a great substitute and hold up well as a colorful topping.

You will also love

I hope you love this smarties and brownies recipe. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!

Smarties Brownies

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Author: Fadela
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 16 slices

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Description

These Smarties brownies are rich, fudgy, and topped with a smooth layer of chocolate ganache and colorful Smarties. Baked in an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan, this recipe yields 16 small, chewy squares—perfect for parties and bake sales!

Instructions

Make the brownies:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
Melt the butter and chopped chocolate together in the microwave or over a double boiler until smooth and fully melted.
In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla using a hand mixer for 1–2 minutes until the mixture looks smooth and slightly fluffy.
Pour in the melted chocolate and butter, and mix again for about 1 minute until fully combined.
Add the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently mix until smooth and well blended.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 15–20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick or knife in the center—it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not dry. The center should still feel soft.
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan.

Make the chocolate ganache:

Place the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl.
Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just starts to simmer.
Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for a minute, then stir with a spatula until smooth. If needed, microwave it for a few seconds to fully melt.
Pour the ganache over the cooled brownies and spread into an even layer.
Top with Smarties or candy-coated chocolates.
Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before slicing into 16 squares with a sharp knife.