Chocolate cake brownies are a childhood classic – and this easy recipe is perfect for baking with kids. The addition of a generous handful of M&Ms makes these brownies a triple-chocolate treat!

One of the first recipes I made with my daughter was chocolate brownies and to this day, her favorite part of making brownies is getting to lick the spoon clean.

If you’ve never made them before, brownies are super easy to make with kids – they have a short list of ingredients, don’t require you to beat the batter to specific consistencies (“light and fluffy,” et) and aren’t usually tempermental with baking.

This brownie recipe yields a cake-like brownie with decadent, rich fudge-y frosting.

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, I do have a delicious and popular black bean brownie recipe on my site, but this kid-made frosted brownie recipe is definitely not one to miss!

Chocolate Cake Brownies Ingredients

• 1 cup  butter, melted
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 5 large eggs
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the frosting:

• 3 Tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• powder
• 2 Tablespoons milk or cream
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup M&M candies

Tip: You can add additional M&M candies into the brownie batter before baking. Add them in just after the flour.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Non-slip mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Hand mixer
• Wooden Spoon
• 9×13″ baking pan
• Offset spatula

How to Make Chocolate Cake Brownies

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ pan.

Combine the melted butter and sugar until smooth, about 1 minute.

Add in the cocoa, salt, baking powder and vanilla.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the water.

Add the flour in small increments, stirring until thoroughly combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the brownies for 28-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs attached. The brownies should feel set both on the edges and in the center.

Remove the brownies from the oven, and cool slightly on a rack before frosting (you still want them to be somewhat warm for the frosting to set properly).

For the frosting, combine butter, cocoa, honey, vanilla and sugar in a large bowl, and beat for about 1 minute.

Slowly add in the milk until you reach your desired consistency.

Spread frosting over warm brownies with an offset spatula (for easier frosting) and sprinkle on M&Ms.

Pin this Kid-Made Chocolate Cake Brownie Recipe:

Grab your free printable for our Frosted M&M Brownies recipe:

Have you made brownies with your kids? What would they like to sprinkle on their homemade brownies?

For more delicious ideas for baking with children, check out:

Chocolate & Strawberry Cupcakes

Foolproof Method to Cut a Cake