15 ways to make box brownies better

Boxed Brownie Mix can be a lifesaver on busy nights when you’re late night cravings hit, and with just a few smart tweaks the results can rival a from-scratch brownie recipe.

I first wrote this post over 10 years ago, and while it was super popular back then for quick ways to make boxed brownies better, I realized our readers now want a simple recipe for updating a brownie mix, for a richer flavor, and better texture, with basically the same steps on a boxed brownie mix. Dump and go.

Traditional brownie mixes call for vegetable oil, water, and eggs. So over here, we’re all about adding slightly different ingredients to the brownie mix to give the brownies a better flavor and texture. With just a few not so secret ingredients, no one will ever know your brownies started from a box!

Reasons to Doctor a Brownie Mix

Brownie Mixes Save So Much Time: We want to spend our time with our family out of the kitchen!
A Reliable Base: The hard part of the recipe is taken care of! There is no shame in using a box
Minor Tweaks: With just a couple minor tweaks we get a better texture, richer flavor and thick fudgy brownies that you’ll be happy to share!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This is a quick overview of the extra ingredients you’ll need to make your brownie mix better. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.

Melted Butter: Instead of vegetable or canola oil, use the same amount of melted (but slightly cooled) butter.
Whole Milk: Instead of water use whole milk. I don’t recommend using a milk with less fat.
Espresso Powder: Espresso Powder or Instant Coffee Powder really brings out the chocolate flavor in chocolatey desserts. It will not make your brownies taste like coffee.
Mini Chocolate Chips: This gives the brownies extra texture, and extra chocolate flavor
Vanilla Extract: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract (or other extracts like almond, orange, or cherry for a little flavor boost).

How to Make Box Brownies Better

Step 1: Mix Everything Together. Add the brownie mix, eggs, butter, milk, espresso powder, and vanilla extract to a large bowl and mix together until combined.

Step 2: Add in the Chocolate Chips. Add in the mini chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate bar) and fold it gently into the brownie mix until divided evenly.

Step 3: Pour into the Pan. Pour the brownie batter into a greased and lined 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan. Spread the top evenly. Sprinkle a few extra mini chocolate chips on top.

Step 4: Bake the Brownies. Bake the brownies for xxx or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (or mostly clean, a few moist crumbs are okay). Let the brownies cool completely, then remove from the pan and enjoy.

Tips and Tricks:

Don’t Over Mix: Mix the dry brownie mix and its add ins until they are just combined. Over mixing can lead to a less fudgy, less chewy, more touch texture.
Use a Smaller Baking Pan: We love thick and fudgy brownies. Use a square pan instead of a 9×13 pan, even if the boxed mix says it can be baked in either size.
Don’t Add Too Much: Think of a couple combos of mix ins, or customizations that would go good together, and add about two different things max. For mix ins, add about 1 to 1 1/2 cups total.
Let Brownies Cool Completely: We all love warm brownies, but let the brownies cool all the way before slicing for clean edges and slices. Then zap the individual brownies in the microwave to warm them back up.

Customize the Brownies

Add Nuts: Mix in 1 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, of sliced almonds for an nice crunchy texture, and nutty flavor.
Add Mint: Add chopped Andes Mints, crushed peppermint candies or candy canes. You can also add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of peppermint or mint extract.
Add Heat: Add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the mix to add a nice glow of heat.
Swirl: Swirl in some warm nutella, peanut butter, caramel sauce, or easy cream cheese mixture.
Top with Frosting: Let the brownies cool completely and add your favorite frosting on top. You can use homemade, or store bought frosting. My favorites are chocolate buttercream, or coconut pecan frosting.
Different Shapes: Make brownie bites by baking them in a muffin pan (bake for about 15 minutes). Make brownie cookies by changing the amounts, and adding a little extra flour, follow our full recipe here.

These simple upgrades will turn a basic store bought brownie mix, that costs less than $3 or 4 dollars into a gourmet dessert, and something you’ll be proud to share! Try them out and let me know what your think!

For even more ways to use brownie mixes in new recipes, check out my cookbook 50 Fixes for Brownie Mixes. It has fifty delicious recipes that all start with a brownie mix, from s’mores brownies, to brownie ice cream, brownie pancakes, and fudgy, and chocolate strawberry brownies too!

1. Add chunks of your favorite chocolate candy bar to the mix. Chop up 1 large candy bar into 1 centimeter sized pieces and add them to your brownie mix. My favorites are peanut butter cups for a chocolate peanut butter fix, and milky-way for something caramely. Some other yummy choices, would be peppermint patties, twix, m&ms, almond joy, any of your favorite chocolate candy bars would be delicious!

2. Add vanilla extract to the brownie mix. Add 1 tsp to 1 TBS vanilla when you are mixing all the ingredients together. This will bring out the chocolate flavor, and add a delicious vanilla taste to the brownies!

3. Add chocolate chips to the brownie mix before baking. Try mixing the “chocolate” chips in with the brownie batter. You could add 1 cup of dark, semi sweet, milk, white chocolate, cinnamon, mint or even peanut butter chips. You could also try a mix, like peanut butter and chocolate chips, or mint and white chocolate, etc.

4. Top your brownies with white, chocolate or peanut butter chips after they bake. As soon as the brownies come out of the oven sprinkle chips on liberally, allow them to melt a little and then spread them over the top to create a frosting with them.

5. Add marshmallows to the brownie mix. Stir in 1/2 of a bag of small marshmallows into the prepared brownie batter. You could also wait to add the marshmallow till the brownies are almost done baking. Sprinkle the same amount on top and return the brownies to the oven to finish cooking and allow marshmallows to melt. To make “rocky road” brownies try mixing in the marshmallows and some chopped nuts; almonds, walnuts or pecans.

6. Add chopped nuts to your brownie mix. Chop up some nuts with a knife or a food processor and add them to your mix before baking. Try adding peanut, walnuts, pecans, cashews or almonds. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped nuts depending on your preference.

7. Top the brownies with frosting. After your brownies are done baking, and have cooled a little, add your favorite frosting to the top. Homemade or from a can, either way is a winner. My favorites are plain chocolate or coconut pecan.

8. Add crushed peppermints. Crush peppermint candy canes in a bag with a rolling pin or with a food processor. Add about 1 cup of the crushed candy pieces to the brownie mixture. Try adding 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract for an even stronger mint flavor.

9. Add cookie pieces. Break or chop your favorite cookie into small pieces and add 1 cup of them into the mixture before baking. Oreos, Nutter Butters or Chocolate Chip Cookies are delicious. Try adding whole cookies to your brownies as well. Pour half of the batter, put a layer of cookies and then top with the rest of the batter.

Close up view of cookies and cream oreo fudge brownies.

10. Make cheesecake brownies. You’ll need 1 1/2 blocks cream cheese, 1 egg, 1 TBS flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 tsp vanilla for the cheesecake swirl. Go to the cheesecake swirled brownies here for the full recipe.

11. Add caramel syrup to the brownies. After pouring the brownie batter into the pan, pour caramel syrup over the batter. Swirl caramel throughout the batter with a knife. To make “turtle” brownies also add some pecans into the batter.

Top view of caramel brownies on parchment paper.

12. Add 1 can of fruit to the brownie mix. Take your brownie mix, 1 egg and 1 can of fruit with juice (raspberry, cherry, etc) and mix carefully to keep the fruit pieces intact. This eliminates using oil in your brownies and makes them a little lower in fat. You could also try this with a boxed cake mix.

13. Make individual brownie bites. Do this by pouring the batter into a sprayed muffin pan instead of an 8×8 or 9×13 inch pan. Bake for about 15 minutes, checking them closely with a toothpick so they don’t overcook. (Try adding a piece of small candy or a cookie to the middle of the mix in each pan, rolos, kisses, oreos, etc.) Try bite sized brownies in a mini muffin pan.

14. Make brownie cookies. Mix brownie mix with 1 egg (instead of 2), 1/3 cup oil, 2 TBS water, and 1/4 cup of flour. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes until the cookies look set. You could still try adding your favorite mixins to these cookies, chocolate chips, candy bar pieces, etc.

15. Try combining more than one of the suggestions to improve your mix brownies even more. Mix in candy chunks and add frosting. Try adding nuts and chocolate chips. Add cream cheese and fresh fruit.

Ps. Click on pictures for their sources.

What do you do to improve boxed brownies?

GET READY FOR BAKING LOTS OF AMAZING BROWNIES WITH THESE GREAT KITCHEN TOOLS:

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