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I’m letting you in on my family’s favorite easy brownie recipe, with all my best brownie mix hacks to make box brownies so much better! Just a few additional “secret ingredients” and no one will ever know your brownies came from a box!
Normally I don’t comment on these kinds of recipes, but it was so good. Without a doubt the best brownies I’ve ever had- including the countless ones I’ve made from scratch and even the deluxe brownie at my favorite restaurant- these simple modifications to a box of brownie mix make it the best brownies ever. Period.
-Grace
Box mixes are so convenient. Bless the person who developed that amazing idea.
There should be no shame in using a brownie box mix.. but sometimes you want the box of brownie mix to taste more homemade. That’s where box brownie mix hacks come into play!
Tried and Tested Brownies Box Recipe
We tested a lot of brownie mix hacks so we could come up with our best easy brownie mix box recipe. I tried and retried this recipe about 9 times in total!
Boxed Brownie Hacks: Doctored up Brownies Box
A traditional box brownie mixes call for water, eggs and vegetable oil. It’s all about adding ingredients to the brownie mix to give the brownies better texture & taste.
We want boxed brownie mix to taste like homemade brownies, like fudgy brownies, where the top of the brownies have that shiny appearance with an ultra fudgy texture.
How to make Box Brownies Better: Extra Ingredients You’ll Need
- Add melted butter – makes the chocolate flavor richer compared to vegetable oil
- Use buttermilk or whole milk – makes the brownie richer and taste more homemade
- Add cocoa powder – adding additional cocoa powder makes the brownies more chocolate-y
- Add in chocolate chips – this will give the brownies texture and enhance their chocolate flavors
- Add espresso powder – makes the chocolate flavor richer, and the brownies will NOT taste like coffee. Instead of espresso powder, use 1/4 cup brewed strong coffee or 1 & 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee.
We actually tried this recipe with and without espresso powder and in a blind taste test, everyone preferred the brownie recipe with espresso powder because it tasted more chocolate-y.
Where to buy espresso powder
You can purchase espresso powder in the baking aisle of your grocery store or on amazon.
Lazy Girl Brownie Mix Hacks
Here’s the BEST part for making box brownies better – you combine all of those ingredients and the brownie mix in a bowl, and beat it together with an electric mixer.
No adding each ingredient one at a time – add them all at ONCE! Let’s rejoice, these are the ultimate easy brownies for a crowd.
How to Make Boxed Brownies Better
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Line a 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Combine and mix. In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, melted butter, buttermilk, brownie mix, cocoa powder and espresso powder and beat with an electric mixer on low until combined, about 1 minute.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 37-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool. Remove the brownies from the pan using the parchment paper. Slice and serve.
Boxed Brownie Hacks: Testing with Eggs
Generally the more eggs you add to a brownie recipe, the cakier the brownie will be. That’s why it’s a good idea to stick with 2 eggs, which is typically the amount that the back of the box calls for.
However, you can add an additional egg yolk if you want to experiment. The additional egg yolk adds more fat, creating a fudgier brownie.
Glass or metal pan to bake brownies
I used a glass 8×8 inch baking pan because that’s what I have in my kitchen!
You can use a metal pan and I would recommend decreasing the baking time by 5 minutes. Metal pans heat up faster and can produce chewier brownies.
How to tell if brownies are done
To determine if brownies are done, perform a toothpick test by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are done. Additionally, look for set edges and a shiny, crackled crust on the top of the brownies.
Box Brownie Recipe Variations
You can customize these brownies exactly how you like them!
Add nuts. Mix in chopped walnuts, chopped pecans or sliced almonds for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
Add chocolate or chopped candy bars. Think chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, chopped peanut butter cups.
Bring on the mint. Add chopped andes mints, crushed candy canes, peppermint patties or mint extract for an extra minty flavor. I think mint and chocolate is the best!
Swirl. Swirl in nutella, peanut butter, or cream cheese for an added surprise.
Frost them. Bring the chocolate flavor up a notch by frosting the brownies. See all of our frosting options. Coffee frosting on brownies is right up my alley!
Brownies a la Mode. Add caramel syrup, crushed potato chips, or chopped chocolate chip cookies for extra decadent brownies!
Pro Tips on How To Make Box Brownies Better
Cut brownies cleanly
To get really nice clean brownie squares, I like to refrigerate my brownies for at least 30 minutes before cutting.
Then I use a long 8 inch chef’s knife to cut them. But here’s the most important tip, wipe the knife CLEAN between each cut. Yes, it’s annoying, but it works!
Freeze brownies
Make the brownies and allow them to cool completely.
Cut them into squares, wrap 4 at a time in aluminum foil (wrap well), then cover them in plastic wrap and store in a freeze ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
To thaw: place in the fridge over night.
Can I bake these in a 9×13 inch pan?
You can bake the brownies in a 9×13 inch pan for 25-32 minutes. If you allow the recipe as stated and bake in a 9×13 inch pan, the brownies will not be as thick because the pan is larger.
You could double the recipe and bake in a 9×13 inch pan for thicker brownies. The baking time would be 40-60 minutes.
What to serve with this Boxed Brownie Recipe
- Ice Cream: Serve warm brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic combination. The warm and fudgy brownie pairs perfectly with the cool and creamy ice cream. You can even add brownie pieces to a homemade hot fudge sundae.
- Whipped Cream: Top your brownies with a dollop of whipped cream for a light and fluffy contrast. Love chocolate? Serve with chocolate whipped cream.
- Berries: Fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries add a fresh and fruity element to the rich brownies.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the brownies for a sweet and gooey addition.
How to store this Boxed Brownie Recipe
To store brownies, allow them to cool completely, then cut them into individual portions. Place the brownies in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and store them at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.
Recipe Reviews
These turned out so good and moist and indulgent! I didn’t have espresso powder but had about two tablespoons of strong coffee left so I added it with the milk to equal the liquid amount and it turned out great! My husband and 2 year old wolfed down their trial piece and promptly asked for more!
-Ami
Normally I don’t comment on these kinds of recipes, but it was so good. Without a doubt the best brownies I’ve ever had- including the countless ones I’ve made from scratch and even the deluxe brownie at my favorite restaurant- these simple modifications to a box of brownie mix make it the best brownies ever. Period.
-Grace
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A Better Brownies Box Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 stick unsalted butter, melted, 1/2 cup
- ⅓ cup buttermilk or milk
- 18.3 oz brownie mix, 18.4 oz is fine too!
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp espresso powder, optional, but makes chocolate flavor richer, the brownies will NOT taste like coffee. Can use 1/4 cup brewed coffee or 1 & 1/2 tsps instant coffee in place of espresso powder.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Line a 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, melted butter, buttermilk, brownie mix, cocoa powder and espresso powder and beat with an electric mixer on low until combined, about 1 minute.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 37-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool. Remove the brownies from the pan using the parchment paper. Slice and serve.
- *Note: bake in a 9×13 inch pan for 25-32 minutes. The brownies will not be as thick.
Video
Notes
Should I use a glass or metal pan to bake brownies?
I used a glass 8×8 inch baking pan because that’s what I have in my kitchen! You can use a metal pan and I would recommend decreasing the baking time by 5 minutes. Metal pans heat up faster and can produce chewier brownies.Can I add nuts or other add-ins to these brownies?
Definitely! Add 3/4 cup to 1 cup of add-ins. You could add any variety of chopped nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, mint pieces, caramel bits, reese’s pieces, etc.Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of oats and 1/3 cup (more or less — I don’t really measure them) with a couple tablespoons of cocoa (dark chocolate is supposedly more healthy) for what I call HEALTHY BROWNIES. The extra bulk needs a little extra liquid. — You can even replace the oil/butter with apple sauce for someone on a low-fat diet but they just don’t taste quite right so I use about 1/2 of the recommended oil/butter to improve the taste.
These were the best brownies. I was asked to bring two desserts to our daughter’s. I brought cranberry bars for adults and your brownies for the kids since I didn’t think they would like cranberry bars. Oh my goodness your Brownies were a hit with the adults! They all loved them and my daughter insisted that I give her the recipe immediately. Your Brownies made the party. Kids liked them too but they were too busy playing to eat, so the adults were loving them. I doubled the recipe in one 9×13 pan and followed your recipe. I think most of the problems others have with them being dry is their oven. To bake any type of brownies, cakes, or pies YOU need an oven thermometer. That is your only way to correctly measure the temperature of your oven. Your recipe is the only way to bake delicious brownies. Thank you for sharing.
I tried this (except for the espresso powder) and the result was amazing. The best brownies i’ve done. I hope I can get the espresso next time and see the difference. Thank u!
I didn’t have buttermilk so I used regular whole milk, about 1/2 cup of expresso chips in lieu of expresso powder and followed the rest of your recipe. I used ghirardelli choc supreme brownie mix and they were outrageously delicious! I did bake a 325 in a metal pan for about 38 mins. I’ll never make a regular box mix again. Thanks so much for this recipe.
Can I use heavy whipping cream instead of buttermilk and is it OK that I don’t have any cocoa powder or espresso powder
Attempting to make them last minute and thought I would add something different but I will try your other recipe when I have all the ingredients as well
If I make these brownies in a muffin tin, do I reduce the baking time?
Hi, Could I substitute milk with heavy cream or evaporate milk?
I would recommend heavy cream if you have to use a substitute.
I’m having a hard time finding espresso powder at my local grocery stores. Can I substitute with Nestle espresso baking morsels ? Which is better buttermilk, whole milk or 2 % ? Really looking forward to trying them.
Hi Dawn! If you don’t have espresso powder, I would recommend skipping it. The espresso powder intensifies the chocolate flavor, but it’s not critical. In terms of ranking the milks, I would opt for buttermilk first, then whole milk, then 2%, then skim or milk alternative.
I’ve read comments from other forums with similar recipes where people said that using 2 eggs made the brownies too cake like. That the extra egg really made it rise. Is it permissible to use only one egg & what drawbacks would there be if any?
Since I’ve read no complaints so far on here, let me ask if any of you ran into this issue on here?
If my mix box is a bit on the smaller side, say about 16.5 oz then do I still use the suggested amounts of butter, milk & cocoa powder listed here? Seems like a silly question but I was just wondering. My brownie mix box is a Betty Crocker w/walnut mix so it’s a little bit smaller than the 18 oz box.
Thank you.
Hi Anthony! I haven’t tested this recipe with a 16.5 oz box of brownies so I can’t give a proper recommendation.