4 Must Haves for Family Night

3. Pick a game suitable to all ages

When you have multiple ages of kids in your home, picking a game for everybody might be tough! I have a two-year-old and seven-year-old who don’t always see eye to eye on game choice.

For games, I look for those that are simple, involve few pieces and are adjustable to all ages.

While I was at Walmart picking up the M&M’s® Milk Chocolate and M&M’s® Peanut butter, I also bought the Twister game.

Peanut Butter Caramel brownies and the Twister game – how much better can it get?

Did my two-year-old follow the rules? No way! Most of the time, he just laid on the mat and wiggled like an upended cockroach. Then, he took control of the spinner and started calling out his own directions.

My daughter tried to control her frustration. Being a fellow older sibling, I could feel her pain.

But, it was a good time and we laughed – A LOT! Isn’t that what family time is all about?

4. Be flexible

Kids are kids. They are moody, imperfect and learning how to control their emotions more and more each day. If your kids don’t want to play the game by the rules…

It’s OK.

Make up rules.

Play any way that makes your family happy at that particular moment.

And if nothing makes anyone happy at that particular moment, try a different night. Or create your own family morning – the time of day that I find my kids are the happiest and most cooperative.

But for any family gathering, make these M&M’s® Peanut Butter Brownies.

Trust me.

You will NOT regret it. Especially if you warm them up a little in the microwave. Utter gooey, peanut butter goodness.

Peanut Butter Caramel Brownies

Ingredients

Brownie Layer
2 sticks butter (1 cup), melted
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
4 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup M&M’s® Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter Caramel
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup peanut butter, smooth
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Frosting
1 1/2 sticks butter (3/4 cup), melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 TBS water
1 1/2 cup peanut butter, smooth
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray and set aside.
Using a stand mixer (or bowl with hand mixer), add butter, sugar and cocoa powder. Beat for 2 minutes. Then add the eggs one at time until incorporated. Add the vanilla and beat.
In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to cocoa mixture and stir until just incorporated. Mix in M&M’s® Peanut Butter.
Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake 30-35 minutes. Bake until a toothpick put into the center comes out clean.
Let cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Poke holes in the top.

Prepare Peanut Butter Caramel

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine maple syrup, 1/4 cup peanut butter and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Stir until sauce comes to a boil and thickens. This happens quickly so make sure to watch it!
Pour peanut butter caramel over baked brownies and spread so that it fills all the holes. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Peanut Butter Frosting

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, brown sugar and water. Stir until mixture becomes smooth.
Remove from heat and using a hand mixer, beat in 1 1/2 cup peanut butter and vanilla. Pour over refrigerated brownies. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Decorate the top with M&M’s® Milk Chocolate. Cut into pieces and enjoy!

Want more great game night ideas? Check out these.