These delightful Chocolate Confetti Squares are a chewy, fudgy chocolate treat loaded with colorful sprinkles that add a fun pop of color and a sweet crunch—perfect for celebrations or anytime you crave a delightful chocolate snack.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
There's something irresistibly nostalgic about chocolatey treats studded with colorful sprinkles. These Chocolate Confetti Squares combine the rich, fudgy texture of a perfect brownie with the whimsical joy of rainbow sprinkles. They're simple to make with pantry staples, yet impressive enough for parties and celebrations. The contrasting textures of the soft, chewy chocolate base and the slight crunch from the sprinkles create a delightful sensory experience. Whether you're making these for a bake sale, birthday party, or just to brighten an ordinary day, these squares are guaranteed to bring smiles all around.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Unsalted butter provides the rich, moist foundation for these squares, melting into the batter to create that perfect fudgy texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content precisely.
Granulated sugar not only sweetens the squares but also contributes to their structure and that slightly crisp top layer that contrasts beautifully with the chewy interior.
Vanilla extract adds depth and warmth to the chocolate flavor. A good quality pure vanilla extract will make a noticeable difference in the final taste.
Eggs act as both a binding agent and provide structure to the squares. They also contribute to the rich, fudgy texture that makes these treats so irresistible.
All-purpose flour forms the base structure of the squares. Be careful not to overmix once the flour is added, as this can make your squares tough rather than tender.
Unsweetened cocoa powder delivers that intense chocolate flavor without additional sweetness. Dutch-processed or natural cocoa powder will both work, though Dutch-processed will give a smoother, less acidic chocolate flavor.
Salt enhances all the flavors in the recipe, particularly the chocolate, and provides balance to the sweetness. Don't skip this ingredient, even if it seems minor.
Colorful sprinkles (jimmies or confetti style) are the star attraction, providing both visual appeal and textural contrast. Jimmies (the longer, rod-shaped sprinkles) tend to hold their color better during baking than round nonpareils.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to easily lift the bars out.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring just until combined.
- Fold in sprinkles gently, reserving a handful for topping.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining sprinkles evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking for fudgy texture.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into squares.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes approximately 24 squares, depending on how you cut them. The preparation takes about 10 minutes, with 30 minutes of baking time, for a total of 40 minutes before cooling. These squares are perfect for parties, potlucks, or packaging as gifts. For cleaner cuts, refrigerate the cooled bars for about 30 minutes before slicing.
Variations
Double Chocolate Confetti Squares: Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips along with the sprinkles for an extra chocolate boost.
Peanut Butter Swirl Confetti Squares: Before baking, drop spoonfuls of slightly warmed peanut butter (about ⅓ cup) on top of the batter and swirl with a knife.
Birthday Cake Confetti Squares: Replace 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract with 1 ½ teaspoons of cake batter extract for a birthday cake flavor profile.
Holiday Confetti Squares: Customize the sprinkle colors to match any holiday or occasion—red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, or school colors for graduation parties.
Cookies and Cream Confetti Squares: Mix in 1 cup of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies instead of or in addition to the sprinkles.
Storage/Reheating
These Chocolate Confetti Squares stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week—the fudgy texture actually improves after chilling.
For freezing, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and then store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.
These squares don't typically require reheating, but if you'd like a warm treat, microwave an individual square for 10-15 seconds. For a special dessert, warm a square slightly and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
FAQs
Why did my sprinkles bleed into the batter?
Sprinkle bleeding usually happens with certain types of sprinkles, particularly nonpareils (the tiny round ones). For the best results, use jimmies (the longer rod-shaped sprinkles) as they tend to hold their color better during baking. Also, fold them in gently and quickly to minimize color transfer.
Can I use a brownie mix instead of making the batter from scratch?
Yes, you can use a boxed brownie mix as a shortcut. Simply prepare according to package directions and fold in the sprinkles before baking. The texture and flavor will be different from the original recipe, but still delicious.
My squares turned out cakey instead of fudgy. What happened?
Cakey squares usually result from overmixing the batter, using too much flour, or overbaking. For fudgy squares, mix just until ingredients are combined, measure flour carefully (preferably using a kitchen scale), and remove from the oven when a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Make sure your sprinkles are also gluten-free, as some contain wheat starch.
How do I know when the squares are done baking?
These squares are done when the edges are set but the center still looks slightly underdone. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. Remember that they will continue to cook slightly as they cool.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
You can reduce the sugar by up to ¼ cup without significantly affecting the texture. However, reducing more than that may impact both the texture and structure of the finished squares.
My sprinkles sank to the bottom of the batter. How can I prevent this?
To prevent sprinkles from sinking, toss them in a teaspoon of flour before folding them into the batter. Also, make sure your batter isn't too thin—it should be thick enough to suspend the sprinkles.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even pistachios would be delicious additions. Add about ½ to ¾ cup of chopped nuts when you fold in the sprinkles.
How do I cut these squares neatly?
For clean cuts, refrigerate the completely cooled squares for at least 30 minutes. Use a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts. For extra precision, you can also dip the knife in hot water and dry it between cuts.
Can I make these ahead for a party?
These squares are perfect for making ahead! They actually improve in flavor and texture after a day, allowing the flavors to meld. Make them up to 2 days before your event and store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Chocolate Confetti Squares combine the best of two worlds: rich, fudgy chocolate and the whimsical joy of colorful sprinkles. They're incredibly versatile—perfect for birthdays, holidays, school events, or simply as a special treat to brighten an ordinary day. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Whether you follow the classic recipe or try one of the variations, these squares are sure to bring joy to anyone lucky enough to enjoy them. The contrast of textures—the chewy, fudgy base against the slight crunch of sprinkles—creates a delightful sensory experience that appeals to children and adults alike. So the next time you need a crowd-pleasing dessert that's as fun to look at as it is to eat, remember these colorful, chocolatey squares.
Chocolate Confetti Squares
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 9x13 inch pan (approximately 20-24 squares)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A chewy, fudgy chocolate treat loaded with colorful sprinkles that add a fun pop of color and a sweet crunch—perfect for celebrations or anytime you crave a delightful chocolate snack.
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup colorful sprinkles (jimmies or confetti style)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to easily lift the bars out.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring just until combined.
- Fold in sprinkles gently, reserving a handful for topping.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining sprinkles evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking for fudgy texture.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into squares.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the recipe.
- Overbaking will result in a less fudgy texture, so keep an eye on the baking time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
