Loaded Oreo Brownie Bars

A few days ago I posted a recipe for loaded oreo cookie bars. The recipe was a major hit with my friends and family- the bars were the first item gone at a recent potluck. 

Since the bars were such a big hit I thought why not make a brownie version of them? The brownie version was an even bigger hit!! I found the brownies are moister than their cookie counter parts, but I was told they are equally delicious. You will have to make them and be the judge on this one! 

Loaded Oreo Brownie Bars

• 1/2 package Oreo's (any kind), coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup M&M's
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup Hershey's special dark cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup safflower oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x8 pan with nonstick cook spray.

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar and baking powder.

After dry ingredients are combine add in safflower oil, vanilla and the eggs. Thoroughly combine.

Once a batter has formed add in the chopped Oreo's. I have found that actually cutting the oreo's with a knife takes a long time and is extremely messy. An easy way I found to do it was put all the Oreo's in a large Ziploc bag and break them apart with your hands. The mess is contained in the bag and the contents of the bag are easily dumped into the batter.

Fold Oreo pieces into brownie batter.

Dump batter into greased 8x8 pan. Using a spoon or a rubber spatula evenly spread out the batter in the pan.

Finally, take 1/2 cup of M&M's and spread them over top of the batter. Using the same spoon or rubber spatula gently press M&M's into the batter.

Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. The edges will begin to pull away from pan when the brownies are done. Always check bars with a toothpick to ensure doneness- the toothpick will come out clean (or have a few crumbles on it from add ins) when it is done.

Allow the brownies to completely cool before cutting, otherwise they will crumble.