Box brownies are a delicious chocolate-baked dessert that can either be cakey or fudgy, depending on the ingredients used. Did you know that the first brownie was created in the United States in the late 19th century and became popular in the early 20th century? What a scrumptious dessert treat it is! A regular box brownie mix usually requires vegetable oil, eggs, and water; however, today we typically add additional ingredients to improve the flavor and texture. This article will explore 10 box brownie hacks that are easy and delicious to make your brownie extra special.
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Top 10 Box Brownie Hacks
- Choose a good-quality brownie mix, like:
- Ghirardelli double chocolate brownie mix
- Duncan Hines Dolly Parton’s fabulously fudgy brownie mix
- Pillsbury chocolate fudge brownie mix
- Additionally, if you’re looking for a gluten-free brownie mix, then try King Arthur Baking Ultimate Fudge.
- Replace the water with buttermilk, heavy cream, or milk. This will make your brownies nice and fudgy.
- Use butter instead of oil. By adding butter to brownies, you can enhance the richness of the flavor.
- Add coffee instead of water; when adding hot coffee to the batter, it will enrich the flavor of the chocolate.
- Our next tip is to use egg yolks instead of a whole egg. It increases the fat content of the brownie, making it more fudgy. Keep in mind that two egg yolks make up one whole egg. With the extra egg whites, you could always whip up a batch of meringues.
- Add a little salt to your brownie mixture, or sprinkle some coarse salt on top of the batter. Salt brings out the flavor of the other ingredients and helps balance the sweetness of the brownie.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Vanilla is usually added to baked goods and brownies to enhance the flavor of chocolate without overpowering it.
- Don’t overmix the batter, as it can affect the density of the batter.
- Add a spoon or two of Nutella or peanut butter.
- For additions, top with nuts, smarties, coconut, chocolate chips, or fresh berries. You can also add a bit of orange zest to give it a citrus twist.
By following these simple box brownie hacks that are easy and delicious, you’ll be able to please any brownie lover.
Extra Tips for Making Brownies
- Making brownies is always a hit, so why not make up an extra batch and freeze them for later? First, wrap them in cling wrap and then in tin foil to keep them nice and fudgy; this also prevents freezer burn. They can last for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds.
- When you are short on time and you want to fancy up your brownie, simply use a pretty-designed stencil and sprinkle it with some powdered sugar.
- If you are looking to cut out the fat content, swap out the oil or butter for applesauce. They will still have a sweet flavor and be moist.
- Featuring Dolly Parton's Favorite Pecan Pie Brownies Recipe on the box
- Ideal for birthday treats and BBQs
- Perfect amount of fudginess
Delicious Yet Simple Box Brownie Recipe
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- Total Time: 52
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Just by adding a few mystery ingredients, nobody will know that your brownies were boxed. It’s the perfect recipe to take to a BBQ.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee or espresso powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 3 oz. brownie box mix
- 1/3 cup milk or buttermilk
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350 ºF. Next, line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- Mix the milk, eggs, melted butter, your choice of coffee, and cocoa powder, and beat for 1 minute with an electric mixer. Do not overmix.
- Then, pour the batter into the baking pan and spread it out evenly using a spatula.
- Bake for 37–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Once the brownies have cooled, slice them up and serve with ice cream.
Notes
POLYUNSATURATED FAT: 1G | MONOUNSATURATED FAT: 5G | POTASSIUM| VITAMIN A: 291IU | CALCIUM: 17MG | IRON: 2MG
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 37-40 minutes
- Method: Oven bake
- Cuisine: America
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 279
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 142mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 52mg
Conclusion
Box brownies are quick and easy desserts that save you time; however, with a few simple box brownie hacks that are easy and delicious, you can take them to a whole new level of enjoyment. So, the next time you crave a brownie or want to impress your guests, put on your apron and give these hacks a try. Looking for more box brownie ideas? Why not try one of our other favorites?
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Anna Mente/Shutterstock.com.