Easy Monster Mash Brownies

Alright, friends, gather ’round the digital kitchen counter – mind the flour dust, it’s a permanent fixture here. Today, we’re diving headfirst into a pan of pure, unadulterated chaos, otherwise known as my Easy Monster Mash Brownies. Imagine your favorite fudgy brownie, but then it got invited to a party with all the misfit candies and decided to go a little wild. We’re talking gooey, chewy, chocolatey deliciousness studded with an absurd amount of “whatever’s in the pantry” candy bits. It’s special because it’s ridiculously forgiving, utterly delicious, and basically guarantees you’ll look like a baking superstar without actually, you know, *being* a superstar. You should try these because life is too short for boring desserts, and honestly, don’t you deserve a little extra fun in your fudgy squares?

Now, my husband, bless his cotton socks, is usually pretty chill about my baking experiments. But the first time I pulled these out, he stared at the pan like it was a science project gone rogue. “Is that… a marshmallow *and* a pretzel *and* a piece of leftover Halloween candy?” he asked, eyes wide. I just grinned, told him it was “texture,” and shoved a warm square into his hand. Silence. Then, a muffled “Mmmph. Okay, maybe you’re onto something.” Later, I found him picking the stray candy bits out of the empty pan, like a raccoon sifting through treasure. The kids? Forget about it. They thought it was a scavenger hunt in brownie form. Arguments broke out over who got the piece with the most M&Ms versus the piece with the rogue gummy worm (don’t ask). It was a beautiful, messy, chocolate-stained disaster. Just how we like it.

Time-Saving Hacks

* Shortcut that keeps you sane: Honestly, a good quality boxed brownie mix is your best friend here. Don’t tell anyone I said that, but sometimes you just need to cut corners.
* Hack that saves dishes but still looks like effort: Line your baking pan with parchment paper. When they’re cool, just lift the whole slab out and slice ’em on a cutting board. Zero pan scrubbing. You’re welcome.
* The sneaky “cheat” you always pull when you’re in a rush: If you’re out of a specific candy, just grab whatever chocolate chips, nuts, or even crushed potato chips you have. It’s “monster mash,” not “meticulously curated gourmet brownie.”

Kitchen Confessions

* The disaster story: One time, I got a little *too* enthusiastic with the mix-ins and the brownie batter rebelled, overflowing the pan in the oven. The smoke detector went off, the oven needed a deep clean, and I ended up with oddly shaped, crunchy brownie bits at the bottom of the oven. Still ate them though.
* A silly mistake you or your family made with this recipe: My youngest once decided “more sprinkles = better,” and dumped an entire container of rainbow sprinkles into the batter. They melted into strange, colorful streaks. We called them “unicorn barf brownies” and they were surprisingly delicious.
* Honest admission: the messy part you secretly skip: I almost never wait for them to cool completely before cutting. The edges are always a little jagged and gooey, but that just means you get to “taste test” the crumbly bits, right? It’s quality control, people.

What to Serve It With

A giant scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a glass of cold milk, or just a spoon straight from the pan while hiding in the pantry. No judgment here.

✔Tips & Mistakes

Don’t overcrowd the pan with *too* many mix-ins, or your brownies might struggle to hold together. A generous cup or so is usually perfect. Also, don’t overbake! A fudgy brownie is a happy brownie. When a toothpick inserted near the edge comes out with moist crumbs, they’re done. The middle will set as it cools.

Storage Tips

Keep it in the fridge… assuming there’s anything left. Midnight cold bites? Honestly better than fresh.

Variations and Substitutions

Feel free to swap out any of the “monster” elements! No pretzels? Use potato chips for a salty crunch. Out of mini marshmallows? Chopped full-size ones work too. Want a different candy? Snickers, Milky Way, M&Ms, gummy bears (they get delightfully chewy!)—it’s all fair game. You can even skip a candy type entirely and just add more chocolate chips. Call it minimalist monster, darling. Still edible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Monster Mash Brownies

Delicious brownies packed with a fun monster mash twist.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 12

Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Main Ingredients

• 1.5 cup granulated sugar Adjust sweetness to taste.
• 0.75 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Use high-quality cocoa for richer flavor.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour Sift before measuring for light brownies.
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted Let it cool slightly before adding.
• 3 large eggs Room temperature eggs mix better.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract Enhances flavor depth.
• 0.5 tsp salt Balances sweetness.
• 1 cup chocolate chips Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate.

Instructions

 

Preparation Steps

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth.
• Add beaten eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
• In another bowl, sift together cocoa powder, flour, and salt.
• Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just blended.
• Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
• Bake for 28 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then cut into squares.

Notes

For a fun twist, add some colorful sprinkles before baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg

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