Can I make these brownies without mini eggs?

Absolutely! You can substitute any chocolate candy, chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit. The base brownie recipe works beautifully with many mix-ins.

Why add coffee to chocolate brownies?

Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without making the brownies taste like coffee. It's a baker's secret for deeper chocolate flavor, but it's completely optional.

My ganache split. How can I fix it?

If your ganache separates or looks grainy, warm it gently over a double boiler while whisking continuously. You can also try adding a little more warm cream and whisking vigorously.

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

Yes, but the brownies will be sweeter. If using milk chocolate, consider reducing the sugar slightly to balance the sweetness.

Mini Egg Chocolate Brownies Recipe

These Mini Egg Chocolate Brownies with chocolate ganache are the perfect blend of fudgy chocolate goodness and Easter fun. Rich brownies topped with a cloud of whipped chocolate ganache and colorful mini eggs create an irresistible treat that’s surprisingly simple to make. Whether it’s for Easter celebrations or just because you’re craving something decadent, these brownies deliver chocolate perfection in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chocolate Heaven: These brownies hit all the right notes with triple chocolate action – in the batter, folded in as chunks, and topped with ganache.
Impressive but Easy: They look like they came from a fancy bakery, but the recipe is straightforward enough for even novice bakers.
Customizable: The basic brownie recipe works year-round – just swap the mini eggs for other mix-ins when it’s not Easter season.
Perfect Texture: The careful folding technique gives you that coveted fudgy brownie texture with a crackly top.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Dark chocolate chips: The foundation of our brownie’s rich flavor. Choose good quality chocolate for the best results.
Mini chocolate eggs: These add delightful pockets of sweetness and crunch throughout the brownies, plus they make a festive decoration.
Butter: Creates that moist, rich texture we all love in brownies. Make sure it’s properly melted.
Granulated and brown sugar: The combination gives depth of flavor and helps create that perfect brownie texture. The brown sugar adds a subtle caramel note.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness. Room temperature eggs incorporate better into the batter.
Flour: Just enough to hold everything together without making the brownies cakey.
Dark cocoa powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed gives the deepest color and flavor.
Instant coffee: This secret ingredient enhances the chocolate flavor without making the brownies taste like coffee.
Whipping cream: For the silky ganache topping. Fresh cream whips up beautifully.
Semi-sweet chocolate: Creates a ganache that’s not too sweet, balancing the sweetness of the mini eggs.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Mint Chocolate: Add a drop of peppermint extract to the batter and use mint chocolate chips instead of regular.
Nutty Version: Fold in a half cup of chopped walnuts or hazelnuts for added texture.
White Chocolate: Swap the dark chocolate ganache for white chocolate and add some colorful sprinkles for a birthday version.
Salted Caramel: Drizzle some salted caramel sauce over the ganache before adding the mini eggs.

How to Make Mini Egg Chocolate Brownies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Tray

Preheat your oven to 160°C (340°F) with fan or 180°C (360°F) without. Line a 30cm (12 inch) baking tray with baking paper and grease it with butter for easy removal later.

Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate

Chop the chocolate into small chunks. Melt half in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs when added.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl, mixing until well incorporated. Add the eggs, whisking until the mixture becomes lighter in color. If using, dissolve the instant coffee in hot water and add it to the batter.

Step 4: Complete the Batter

Pour in the cooled melted chocolate and mix well. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Using a spatula, gently fold everything together just until combined – overmixing will make your brownies tough.

Step 5: Add the Chocolate

Crush some mini eggs into chunks and fold them into the batter along with the remaining chocolate chips. This creates pockets of chocolatey goodness throughout the brownies.

Step 6: Bake the Brownies

Transfer the batter to your prepared baking tray, spread it evenly, and bake for about 20 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges look set but the center is still slightly soft. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 7: Prepare the Ganache

Heat the cream until hot but not boiling. Pour it over chopped chocolate in a bowl and let sit for a few minutes. Then whisk until smooth and glossy. Refrigerate until it reaches spreading consistency.

Step 8: Decorate

Once the ganache has cooled, whip it until light and fluffy. Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe circles resembling nests on top of each brownie. Place mini eggs in the center of each “nest” for a festive finish.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t overmix: After adding the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which makes brownies cakey rather than fudgy.
Check early: Every oven is different, so start checking about 2 minutes before the recommended baking time. Overbaked brownies lose their fudginess.
Cool completely: Let the brownies cool fully before cutting for clean edges. A warm knife makes cleaner cuts.
Chocolate quality matters: Since chocolate is the star here, use the best quality you can afford, especially for the ganache.

How to Serve

These brownies are perfect treats all on their own, but there are several ways to elevate them:

Dessert Table Star

Place them on a decorative platter as the centerpiece of your Easter dessert spread.

À la Mode

Serve slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.

With Coffee or Milk

Pair with a cappuccino or glass of cold milk to balance the rich chocolate flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For brownies with ganache, refrigeration is best after the first day.

Freezing

Freeze the plain brownies (without ganache) wrapped individually in plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Add the ganache after thawing.

Reheating

If you enjoy warm brownies, microwave an individual portion for 10-15 seconds before serving.

FAQs

Can I make these brownies without mini eggs?

Absolutely! You can substitute any chocolate candy, chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit. The base brownie recipe works beautifully with many mix-ins.
Why add coffee to chocolate brownies?

Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without making the brownies taste like coffee. It’s a baker’s secret for deeper chocolate flavor, but it’s completely optional.
My ganache split. How can I fix it?

If your ganache separates or looks grainy, warm it gently over a double boiler while whisking continuously. You can also try adding a little more warm cream and whisking vigorously.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

Yes, but the brownies will be sweeter. If using milk chocolate, consider reducing the sugar slightly to balance the sweetness.

Final Thoughts

These Mini Egg Chocolate Brownies are more than just a treat – they’re a celebration! Fudgy, rich, and festively decorated, they’re bound to bring smiles to everyone who tries them. The combination of dense chocolate brownie with light, airy ganache creates a perfect textural contrast that makes these truly special. Whether you’re baking for Easter or just want to bring some chocolate joy to your day, give these brownies a try. I promise they’re worth every calorie!