A Better Brownies Box Recipe

A close-up of a hand holding a thick, fudgy chocolate brownie with a slightly crumbly top and rich, moist texture. The person’s pink nails add a pop of color—perfect alongside your favorite pumpkin dump cake recipe for fall desserts.

4.35 from 551 ratings

A Better Brownies Box Recipe

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!

Prep Time15

Cook Time37

Total Time52

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

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Servings: servings

Author: Beth

Equipment

Ingredients

2 large eggs
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter melted
⅓ cup (79ml) buttermilk or milk
18.3 oz brownie mix 18-18.4 oz is fine! *See note
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 8x8 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 (optional) and beat with an electric mixer on low until combined, about 1 minute.
2 large eggs, 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, 1/3 cup (79ml) buttermilk or milk, 18.3 oz brownie mix, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp espresso powder
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 9x13 inch pan for 25-32 minutes. The brownies will not be as thick.

Video

Notes

Duncan Hines, Pillsbury, Ghirardelli, Betty Crocker all have 18-18.4 oz boxes that will work. Just be sure to check the oz.

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