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With just a few swaps and “secret ingredients”, these brownie mix hacks will make your boxed brownie mix so much better and taste like they were made from scratch!
If you’re wondering how to make box brownies better, you are in the right spot! With just a few simple tweaks, you can make boxed brownie mix taste homemade! By swapping out the listed ingredients from the box, you can get a perfectly moist, fudgy and chocolate-y brownie. We also include other options and tips to create the best brownie for your preference.
Why These Tips for Making Box Brownies Better Work!
- Added Ingredients. With a just few extra ingredients or adjustments, the taste and texture will be elevated and taste like a homemade brownie recipe. They are the best fudgy brownies using simple brownie hacks.
- Ingredient Swaps. Switching ingredients like oil to butter can make a big difference in taste and texture.
- Semi-Homemade Tricks for Bakery Results. This brownie recipe is inexpensive and easy to make since it starts with a box mix. The brownies taste fudgy and rich just like they came from a bakery.
Ingredients Needed
Make just a few adjustments from the box ingredients makes a big difference! Plus these are common staples most everyone always has on hand.
- Your favorite brownie mix – We use a 18.3 ounce box and prefer Ghirardelli, but use any brand that you like the best. Some boxes instruct to use a 9×13 pan, but we bake ours in a 9×9 pan for more of a thickness and fudgy center.
- Butter – This is used to replace vegetable oil that box mixes usually call for. The result creates an extra chewy, fudgy texture that you won’t get with vegetable oil. Plus it’s just better for you.
- Heavy Cream – This contains some fat and flavor compared to water so the brownies will be extra moist!
- Egg – Most box mixes call for 2 eggs, but we use 4 egg yolks to get the perfect fudgy texture.
- Pure vanilla extract – Whereas coffee enhances the natural bittersweet flavor of chocolate, a splash of pure vanilla provides balances out the bittersweet notes of chocolate with beautiful, rounded sweetness.
Other Tips To Make Boxed Brownies Better
Here is a list some extra tricks to make boxed brownie mix taste like their made-from-scratch brownies without anyone ever knowing!
- Replace the water with milk. When boxed brownies call for water, switch that out with brewed coffee or milk. Coffee will enhance the chocolate. Milk contains some fat and flavor compared to water so the brownies will be extra moist!
- Add espresso powder. Mix some espresso powder or instant coffee into the brownie batter to enhance the flavor of the chocolate. The brownies will not taste like coffee, just a chocolate boost!
- Additional add-ins. Stir in any kind of chocolate chips or chunks, like peanut butter chips, Andes mints, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, swirl of Nutella, etc.. Chopped nuts are a great option to included like pecans or walnuts.
- Flaky sea salt – Topping your brownies with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt goes pefectly with the sweet and fudgy brownies.
Serving and Storing
- Serve the brownies warm out of the oven or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days.
How To Make Boxed Brownies Better
With just a few swaps and "secret ingredients", these brownie mix hacks will make your boxed brownie mix so much better and taste like they were made from scratch!
Servings: 16
Ingredients
- 18.3 ounce boxed brownie mix
- 2/3 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 large egg yolks room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chunks (or chocolate chips) save some extra for topping.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F and line an 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- Combine the melted butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, egg yolks in a large mixing bowl. Add the boxed brownie mix and fold into the mixture using a spatula just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips until combined (do not overmix).
- Scoop the brownie batter into prepared pan and spread with using a knife or press the batter evenly using a another piece of parchment paper to protect your hands from getting batter on them.
- Bake the brownies for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, not gooey). Be careful not to overbake. You want the center to be soft. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
- Sprinkle the tops of the brownies with extra chocolate chips and/or flaky salt.
- Lift the brownies out of the pan by pulling on the edges of the parchment paper and place onto a cutting board. Cut into squares with a sharp knife.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Nutrition
Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 358IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
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