Movie Night Treats: M&M Pretzel Brownies

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MakeItaMovieNight #CollectiveBias

If you are brand new to C’mon Get Crafty, then you are about to learn what the others already know:

I’m a movie freak.

I love movies. I was a theatre major in college, and actress from elementary through my late twenties, and I absolutely adore films. I grew up watching everything from black and white classics to Disney. I’m not big on horror films, but everything else is fair game.

So what do I typically suggest for family fun during the frigid Chicago winters?

Movie Night!!

Luckily for me, my husband and 5yo love movies too. So everyone is happy.

So, now comes the story. I mean, typically movie nights are culled from our own ever-expanding library of DVD and Blu-rays. Occasionally we will splurge and rent something. Often the choice of film comes down to a drawing of names between the three of us old enough to have opinions. (Sorry H, 18 months doesn’t count.)

Well, the other day, I made a snap decision instead. I was at Walmart grabbing groceries, and trying frantically not to forget anything. Frigid winters mean I hate making more trips than I have to. While shopping, I happened upon this sign:

HA! Don’t have to tell me twice, Walmart!

We’d seen the first Hotel Transylvania and thought it was super cute and funny. J liked the animation and story, and I think my husband and I both got a kick out of seeing {hearing?} the Adam Sandler team in animated form. We’re pretty big fans of most Sandler movies, and I love the combo of him, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, and David Spade. So the sequel was definitely a pick for movie night.

Wait until January 12th for it to come out on DVD & Blu-ray? NATCH!

Have you ever used VUDU? We have the app on the Xbox and it works perfectly for renting movies for movie night! Instant gratification, no waiting for a physical copy. (Newbie readers will also learn I have zero to no patience, ha!)

Since Walmart had so generously suggested a movie night for the family, I decided to grab some move snacks as well. We were all out of popcorn {eek!} so I definitely needed to grab some. Along the way, I became inspired.

I can’t be the only one who impulse buys.

On the way to the popcorn, I passed the soda aisle and realized we were also out of Coca-Cola, so into the cart went a few 6-packs. Once I got to the popcorn, it appeared everyone else had the same idea, since they were mostly gone! I snagged Orville Redenbacher 6 pack Movie Theater Butter (as if there were another kind of popcorn!?) and headed for the checkout. THAT’S when I saw the little canisters of M&M’S® Chocolate Candies and realized it had been FOREVER since I’d made my Candy Pretzel Brownies.

Into the cart.

I got home and started making brownies to surprise the boys. Now here’s what you need to do . . .

You will need

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/4 tsp baking powder

3 eggs

3/4 cup flour

pinch of salt

pretzels

M&M’S®

Mix together the sugar, oil, and vanilla. It will look a bit like applesauce, but that’s ok. Add in the eggs and mix well.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Mix well.

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing well as you go. It is going to get thick, and that’s good.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and spray an 8×8 baking pan. Pour the batter in, and pop in the oven for about ten minutes.

Now, yank it back out and lay out a pattern of pretzels. You can use sticks, rings, or traditional, really – it’s more about taste than presentation. Top your pretzel choice with M&M’S® Chocolate Candies and stick it back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes.

Full disclosure: I totally got distracted re-watching the first Hotel Transylvania and didn’t pull them back out fast enough for the pretzels and candies to really sink in. So mine are sort of floating on top. But they still taste amazing!

[bctt tweet=”#MakeitaMovieNight with this sweet brownie recipe and buttery popcorn! @orvillepopcorn @SonyPictures #vudu”]

Mmm, the perfect pairing of sweet and salty!

Now, just for you lucky readers, I have an awesome offer from VUDU for you, so you can enjoy as well!

Buy all 4 participating products mentioned above in one transaction at Walmart between now and 2/2/16
If you do buy all 4, snap a picture of your receipt and visit uploadreceipt.com/movienight by 2/9/16
Get a $10 Vudu movie code* by email
*While supplies last. Limit one per person.

So go get your movie night on! Lots of great ideas for movie night fun can be found here! Oh, and be sure to take advantage of the VUDU offer!

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Jack Daniels Manhattan {Scent of a Woman}

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Princess Bride Inspired Book Art

Moulin Rouge Valentine’s Day Card from the Inspiration Vault