Out of This World Candy Bar Brownies
Delicious Brownies Thanks to Milky Way Candy Bars!
Hot off the retro press: June 2025 • Freshly updated September 2025
Why These Candy Bar Brownies Feel Like 1950s Fudge.
Chocolate, caramel, and nougat all baked into one gooey retro brownie.
Sweetened with chopped Milky Way bars tucked right into the batter, each bite delivers chewy caramel and creamy nougat that hold their shape while baking.
I once wondered why the caramel in my Milky Way brownies didn’t turn into a gooey mess by the time they baked.
Turns out, caramel reaches what’s called the firm ball stage around 245 249°F which gives it a fudgy, stable texture.
It stays intact under normal baking heat, so your candy doesn’t dissolve it just bakes into chewy perfection.
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Blog Index
What Happens When You Combine a Candy Bar and a brownie?
Candy Bar Magic: Why Milky Way Makes It Better
Bake It Like It’s 1959: The Step-by-Step Recipe
Retro Shopping
Serving Suggestions
What Happens When You Combine a Candy Bar and a Brownie?
You get a gooey, fudgy slice of retro heaven!
These fudgy caramel brownies are as rich and sweet as grandma’s best baked treats but with a surprise twist.
Each square hides a melty caramel center, thanks to chopped Milky Way bars baked right into the middle. Best of all, they’re super easy to make and just different enough to stand out at any bake sale or fall gathering.
A Quick Bite of Milky Way History
Did you know the Milky Way bar was created by Frank Mars in 1923, it was America’s first candy bar with a creamy nougat and caramel center, covered in milk chocolate.
The idea was to mimic a malted milkshake in candy form a real treat during the soda fountain era!
Candy Bar Magic: Why Milky Way Makes It Better
Every bite has a soft caramel surprise! Unlike chocolate chips that melt completely into the batter, Milky Way chunks keep just enough of their shape to create gooey, chewy pockets of caramel and nougat in every square.
Chocolate chips melt more readily because chocolate’s melting point is around 86–90°F (for milk chocolate) well below oven temps.
fudge brownies with candy bars 1950s style
🍫Out-of-This-World Milky Way Brownies – Retro Fudge Dessert
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 9–12 brownies
Category: Dessert
Vibe: Retro Bake Sale Treat, Father’s Day, Halloween
✨ Ingredients
1 standard box brownie mix (or your favorite homemade recipe), prepared according to package directions
1 cup chopped Milky Way candy bars (about 12 half-inch pieces)
Optional: extra Milky Way chunks or chocolate chips for topping
🥄 Instructions
Step 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (or follow temperature on your brownie mix). Grease an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish.
Step 2. In a mixing bowl, prepare the brownie mix according to package instructions. Stir just until combined don’t overmix!
Step 3. Pour half the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
Step 4. Arrange the chopped Milky Way pieces in a single layer over the batter, spacing them so each brownie square gets a candy center.
Step 5. Pour the remaining batter over the candy layer and smooth the top. Sprinkle with extra Milky Way chunks or chocolate chips if desired.
Step 6. Bake according to package directions (typically 30–35 minutes, but check early if using a glass dish). A toothpick should come out with fudgy crumbs—not wet batter.
Step 7. Let cool completely before cutting into squares. Serve with a cold glass of milk and enjoy the ooey-gooey middle!
📌 Note: Store brownies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They taste even better after 24 hours, once the caramel has had time to set.
💌 This recipe is part of the Vintage by the Bite collection where 1940s–1960s recipes live on in today’s kitchens. From fizzy drinks to Sunday suppers, we’re preserving the past one bite at a time.
Available on Amazon: Novelty Milk Carton Pencil Case Stationery Pouch (Set of 2)
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In true 1950s and 60s style, these Milky Way Brownies celebrate the golden age of convenience.
Boxed brownie mix and a handful of candy bars make it easy to whip up a dessert that feels homemade, but without the fuss.
Just layer, bake, and serve proof that retro shortcuts can still taste out of this world!
