Holiday M & M's Candy Brownie Mix

Valentine M & M 's Candy Brownie Mix

Cook’s note: This recipe was posted February 2012. 
My weekend project with a friend (before the Super Bowl) will be spent  making 15 of these jars as gifts for a holiday volunteer gathering. I found quart Mason Kerr jars at the grocery store. Archivers or Michaels (scrapbooking section) has a variety of valentine ideas that can be used for the top of the jar lid. 

Note there is 1 cup flour plus 3 TB total used in this recipe.

This recipe was adapted from a Pillsbury Holiday Baking issue

When I originally posted this recipe I did not have on hand a quart size jar for this photo so used a plastic one from the Dollar Store which worked quite well. You just never know what you will find at the Dollar Store or  Dollar Tree stores. Great resources. 

 Need to assemble

• Quart jar with lid and cover
• 7-8 inch square of fabric for top of lid and use ribbon or raffia
• A recipe card or tag with baking directions to be attached around the lid with a ribbon

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pink and red M & M's plus 3 TB. candies set aside in plastic bag
• ½ cup plus 3 TB. flour
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
• ½ cup flour
• 1/2-cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions:

• In a quart glass jar layer in this order
• ½ cup flour plus 3 TB. flour and ¾ tsp. salt
• 1 cup Valentine M & M's chocolate candies
• Cocoa
• ½ cup flour
• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Walnuts
• 2-3 TB candies in a small plastic bag place on top walnuts
• Place fabric or decorative seal over lid and tie with ribbon or raffia
• Attach directions for baking to ribbon

Baking Directions:

• Preheat oven 350 grease a square 8 inch baking pan
• Set aside candies in plastic bag
• In a large bowl mix contents of jar with 2/3-cup vegetable oil, 1 tsp. vanilla and three eggs
• If brown sugar has become slightly firm from sitting in jar break up with fork
• Using a wooden spoon beat about 30 strokes
• Spread in pan
• Sprinkle candies from plastic bag on top-press down a bit
• Bake 25-30 minutes for a 8 inch square  
• If using a 9 inch square pan bake @ 350 for 22-25 minutes

Do not overbake