Brownies from boxed brownie mix are what my childhood was built on. Now that I’m a bit older, as much as I still appreciate basic boxed brownies and the nostalgia that comes with them, I want something with a bit more depth and flavor. This convenient treat deserves some extra care and can absolutely be improved upon. With a few simple additions and tricks, you can turn ordinary boxed brownie mix into a decadent treat.
Here are six ways to upgrade boxed brownie mix to make a deliciously simple yet extravagant treat.
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Coffee
The first and easiest upgrade you can give to your boxed brownie mix is to add a tablespoon of instant coffee to the batter. Adding coffee to your brownies boosts their flavor because its bitter quality balances out sweetness, making it less overpowering. It allows that delicious chocolate flavor to really shine.You can also switch out the water called for in the batter with brewed coffee.
Your favorite spread
Try swirling in half of a cup of strawberry jam or caramel sauce into the batter. To do this, once you have your batter into your pan, add two to three spoonfuls of jam or sauce in separate corners. Then, swirl your spoon all around to mix that delicious flavor into each bite.
Adding a layer of cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, caramel, or peanut butter goes a long way towards turning a mix into something special. You can add this layer before or after baking the brownies. If you want to add it before baking, spoon half of the brownie batter into the baking dish, top it witha thin layer of your choice in the middle, then spread the rest of the batter on top and bake as usual. Whatever you’re adding will melt and spread into the brownies, making them extra rich and creamy.
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Graham crackers
Layers don’t have to just be reserved for sweetened spreads; you can also create a fun base. Try covering the entire bottom of your baking dish with graham crackers to create a crunchy crust with hints of honey and cinnamon.
Cookie dough
I personally love mixing boxed brownie mix with a package of pre-made cookie dough to make a brookie (brownie cookie). You can do this by lining the bottom of your baking dish with cookie dough and spreading the batter on top. Baking the brookies per the brownie mix instructions. These two delicious treats are great on their own, but when combined makes for a delicious yet low-effort treat.
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Milk
Most brownie mixes call for water. While water does the job, you can add some extra flavor and moisture by mixing some of that water with something richer, like milk. If you want to swap it out completely, be prepared for a more chewy and fudge-like brownie from the extra fat. Otherwise, as most brownie mixes require anywhere from half cup to a quarter cup of water, add an equal water-to-milk ratio for a boost of extra flavor and rich texture.
All the mix-ins
For an easy boost to your boxed brownie mix, sprinkle in about a half cup of add-ins to give brownie batter a personal touch. Although nuts, chocolate and peanut butter chips, and mini marshmallows are easy wins here, this method invites creativity, and the options are truly limitless. Experiment with pretzels, candy, or even potato chips (trust me, the salty crunch really is so good here) to add an extra boost of flavor and a crunchy texture. For a really fun addition that adds a ton of color, stir some strawberries or blueberries into the batter.
It's already easy to love brownie mix, but with these tips, it's even easier. Next time you make some boxed brownies, consider these ideas to add some extra flavor and love to your baking project.
FAQs
Peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, Nutella, caramel sauce, or white or dark chocolate fudge all make great additions when swirled into the batter. To swirl you'll make your brownies as usual then pour them into your baking dish then add dollops of the sauce you want to swirl in.
How to improve a box brownie mix? ›
Use Milk Instead of Water
We've encountered mixes in which water is the only liquid. Replace it with a richer, more flavorful liquid, such as milk, buttermilk or coconut milk. The extra fat from the milk will turn a normal box of brownies into a moist and gooey treat.
How can I improve my Betty Crocker brownie mix? ›
One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.
What does adding an extra egg to brownie mix do? ›
If you want to get a little more creative with your brownie mix hacks, add an extra egg to the batter. The extra protein will help thicken up the batter and make it fluffier, creating a more decadent, fudgy texture. You can also add the yolk by itself in addition to the 2 eggs a box brownie mix typically calls for.
How do you jazz up a box of brownies? ›
Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. Throw in a handful of nuts—pecans, walnuts, macadamia, whatever you have on hand. Scoop in a palmful of dried or frozen fruit. Add an extra splash of the top-shelf vanilla extract, or a dab of vanilla paste, or a dash of vanilla powder, to the batter.
Should I use milk instead of water in brownie mix? ›
Milk. Most brownie mixes call for water. While water does the job, you can add some extra flavor and moisture by mixing some of that water with something richer, like milk. If you want to swap it out completely, be prepared for a more chewy and fudge-like brownie from the extra fat.
What can you add to your brownie mix to pump up the chocolate flavor? ›
Add coffee or instant espresso powder to your brownies for an even deeper, more complex chocolate flavor. Swirl them with peanut butter, cream cheese, or even pumpkin filling to mix things up.
What is the best thing to add to brownies? ›
Fruits and nuts are great for introducing more flavor and texture to your brownies. When it comes to nuts, you can reach for whatever you have in your pantry—salted, candied, or otherwise. “When I make brownies or blondies, I like to add toasted nuts for extra crunch and flavor,” says culinary editor Genevieve Yam.
Can I use butter instead of oil in brownie mix? ›
You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!
How to make Betty Crocker mix better? ›
- Add an Extra Egg.
- Add Milk, Coffee, or Soda.
- Use Butter Instead of Oil.
- Add Instant Pudding.
- Up the Flavor with an Extract or Citrus Zest.
- Top the Cake with Homemade Frosting.
Over mixing brownie leads to too much air incorporation and can leave your brownie looking and tasting like a chocolate cake. Under mixing will lead to insufficient combination of your core ingredients and so the brownie texture will not form to perfection.
Can you add butter to Betty Crocker brownie mix? ›
A. You sure can. Using butter or margarine will make your brownies slightly richer with a bit of "dairy" taste. If you use margarine, you'll need to bake the brownies 2 minutes longer.
How to elevate box brownies? ›
Add nuts – Add a handful of finely chopped pecans or walnuts if you love brownies with nuts. Add mix ins – Jazz up a basic brownie mix with chopped mini peanut butter cups, white chocolate chunks, or your favorite chopped up candy bar. Add a swirl – Swirl in spoonfuls of peanut butter or Nutella before baking.
What makes brownies fudgy vs cakey? ›
Fudgy brownies have a higher fat-to-flour ratio than cakey ones. So add more fat—in this case, butter and chocolate. A cakey batch has more flour and relies on baking powder for leavening. The amount of sugar and eggs does not change whether you're going fudgy or cakey.
Can I add vanilla extract to my brownies? ›
Use a dash of vanilla.
Ah, vanilla extract! It's the key to making almost every baked good taste homemade. Adding a teaspoon of it to your batter won't make it taste like vanilla, but it will give your brownies an extra layer of flavor.
Should you chill brownie mix before baking? ›
In addition to keeping your brownie mix fresh, refrigerating brownie batter can also help boost the overall texture and flavor of the treat. Refrigerating helps improve the gloss and crustiness of brownies while simultaneously blending the flavors—the result? — brownie that tastes much richer and chewier.
Is baking soda or baking powder better for brownies? ›
While cookies and cakes typically rely on baking powder as leavening, brownies require less leavening and can be made with baking soda in place of baking powder. Choose a recipe that relies solely on baking soda or create your own substitute for baking powder by combining baking soda and other ingredients.
Is it cheaper to buy brownie mix or make from scratch? ›
I will still be searching for a tastier, chewier home made version, because of that 45% difference in cost and the added ingredients that I don't want to feed my family, but for this comparison, Pillsbury beats the home made recipe. Do you have an excellent, chewy, chocolate fudgy brownie recipe that is foolproof?
