These super simple, 5-ingredient Symphony Brownies are originally Paula Deen’s recipe. I fiddled with the recipe a little bit, but it was her brilliant idea to stuff these delicious candy bars inside of brownies. They’re amazing!

three brownies stacked

This recipe begins with a boxed brownie mix, so it’s a great recipe to make when you need a quick and easy dessert. Almond-toffee candy bars (Symphony Bars) are placed in the middle of the brownie batter. They melt into the batter slightly while baking, but for the most part they stay intact.

These Symphony Brownies are rather addicting. They’re rich with all of that extra chocolate added-in, but it’s the crunch from the toffee and almonds that draw me in and keep me wanting more.

ingredients displayed for making symphony brownies

Ingredients needed:

  • brownie mix
  • Symphony candy bars
  • + whatever the brownie mix calls for (usually eggs, oil and water)

four photos showing how to make symphony brownies

How to make Symphony Brownies:

The complete printable recipe is at the end of this post.

Prepare the brownie batter according to package directions. Line a 9×9-inch cake pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon in half of the brownie batter and smooth with a spatula. Break apart the candy bar into sections and space them out so they cover the surface of the brownie batter. Cover with the remaining brownie batter.

pan of symphony brownies

Bake according to package directions (mine takes 40 minutes). Let the brownies cool completely, then lift them from the pan using the edges of the foil, and transfer to a cutting board.

symphony brownies

Slice into squares (as big or as small as you’d like), and serve. Enjoy!

overhead shot of brownies on a baking rack with pieces of chocolate bar

About Symphony Candy Bars:

If you’re looking for Symphony candy bars, I find them in my market’s candy aisle (in the USA).  I use large or King-sized bars and break them up into little pieces.  If you don’t have access to Symphony bars in your part of the world, try using another type of candy bar that has almonds and toffee in it.

lots of brownies stacked on a platter

The Best Brownie Recipes:

three brownies stacked
4.28 from 11 votes

Symphony Brownies

A simple brownie recipe from Paula Deen, that uses a brownie boxed mix and Symphony candy bars.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 24 brownies (small)
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Ingredients

  • One 20-ounce package (family-sized) boxed brownie mix
  • 2 King-sized almond-toffee Symphony brand candy bars (made by Hershey's)

Instructions 

  • Prepare the brownie mix batter according to package directions.
  • Line a 9x9-inch cake pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon in half of the brownie batter and smooth with a spatula. Break apart the candy bar into sections and space them out so they cover the surface of the brownie batter. Cover with the remaining brownie batter.
  • Bake according to package directions (mine took 40 minutes). Let cool completely, then lift from the pan using the edges of the foil, and cut into squares.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 158kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 104mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 18g, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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stack of brownies

4.28 from 11 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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12 Comments

  1. Mary Murray says:

    This is a version of Symphony brownies Paula Dean’s makes. It is a HERSHEY’S recipe. HINTS the Hershey and Hershey symphony candy bar. It is in one the Hershey’s cookbook. I have made them for over 25 years! It calls for a Hershey’s family size brownie mix. Bake in 8×8 pan and one whole Symphony candy bar, not broken. People use other people’s recipes everyday and tweak them and make them their own. It makes 6 gourmet HERSHEY Symphony brownies! And they are to die for!! I struggle to find a Hersey Family Size Brownie box mix any more. And you can add walnuts if you choose. Enjoy!

  2. Cindy says:

    5 stars
    By far the best brownies I’ve ever had! My cousin made them when we had a get together about 10-15 years ago And I still think about them!

  3. Judi Creed says:

    5 stars
    I took this recipe to my quilting retreat this past weekend. It was the first time I’d made them. They were a huge hit! Delicious1! Next time I make them I’ll use 2 boxes of the brownie mix and 3 Symphony Bars.

  4. Donna O says:

    5 stars
    I’ve made these for years. The recipe our area uses calls for 2 packages of Ghiradelli triple chocolate brownie mix (one for bottom layer in 9×13 and one for top) with 3 whole kingsize Symphony bars laid side by side. We bake in 325 degree oven for around an hour.

  5. Marilyn says:

    I have to make a correction on a comment I made earlier today. I stated that Food Network took off all of Paula Deen’s recipes off of their website. I went back to the Food Network site and did find some of her recipes! I apologize for making an incorrect statement!

  6. Marilyn says:

    I have made these brownies numerous times! They are really good and a very big hit!!
    The difference I noticed in this recipe and Paula Deen’s is the amount of candy bars she used. She also used the brownie mix with walnuts. I watched her make these on her show, and she used 3 bars and placed them on top of the first layer of batter as whole candy bars. She did not break them up. The three giant sized bars won’t fit in the 13″X 9″ pan, so i buy 2 giant and 1 XL bars. This recipe WAS on the Food Network website until they “unforgivingly” took all her shows off the air, including all her recipes! Thanks for putting this recipe on the Internet! I can’t find mine and wasn’t sure of the time for baking.

    1. Lori Lange says:

      They took all of her recipes off of their site??? Oh my gosh, I had no idea…

  7. Wanda says:

    Add two tablespoons of Karo syrup, to the brownie mix -Yum !! – it is a trick I have used almost 20 years.

  8. Stephanie says:

    This recipe is a family favorite! I use 2 boxes of brownie mix and 3 KIng Sized Symphony bars baked in a 9×13 pan at 325 for about 35-40 minutes.

  9. Gary Collins says:

    Could you please tell me from which Paula Deen cookbook this recipe is from. I’m trying to purchase one for sister for Christmas. Thank you, Gary.

    1. Lori Lange says:

      Not sure if it’s in a cookbook from her, but the original recipe is on the Food Network site.

  10. Tina says:

    These are just so simple to make and wonderful to eat.