One of the easiest ways to make box brownies better is by adding a few simple ingredients that take them from ordinary to extraordinary. These easy-to-follow tips will leave your family with an awesome dessert that they won’t believe is from a box!
The standard brownie mix calls for oil and eggs, but by substituting these two ingredients with buttermilk, you’ll be creating a more moist and fudgy brownie. You can also add an extra egg, but keep in mind that this will change the texture of your brownies.
1. Add More Chocolate
Adding more chocolate to box brownies will give them more of a chocolate flavor without changing the overall taste. This can be achieved by mixing in some chocolate chips or chunks into the batter before baking. Alternatively, you can sprinkle some chocolate on top right after the brownies are done.
A little bit of vanilla extract in the mix will also improve the overall flavor. It might not sound like much, but it can make a huge difference.
To add more chocolate to your box brownies, try adding an extra tablespoon of cocoa powder per box. This will heighten the chocolatey flavor, but it is important to balance this out with some liquid or oil.
You can use milk, water, or your favorite alternative dairy product to replace the amount of water called for in the recipe instructions. This will enhance the chocolate flavor even more and result in a much denser and fudgier brownie.
Another easy way to add more chocolate to your box brownies is to mix in some chopped nuts. Walnuts, peanuts, and other nuts will give the brownies some added substance while enhancing their texture.
In addition to nuts, you can also stir in some dried or pureed fruit into the batter for a more fruity flavor. Cranberries, raisins, or even cherries are great choices.
2. Add Nuts
Box brownies can be enhanced by adding nuts, which provide crunch and flavor. Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, macadamia nuts, and pecans all work well in brownies. They can be toasted in advance for extra depth of flavor and texture.
Nuts can be added to the batter or sprinkled on top of the finished brownies, depending on your preference. They will provide a rich, crunchy texture to the finished dessert and add a layer of sweetness to it, too!
If you like, you can mix in chopped cherries, raspberries, or raisins for an even more fresh flavor. These can be stirred in or sprinkled on top before baking, or can be tossed on the brownies as they’re cooled for a beautiful, fruity decoration.
Another option is to use a variety of nuts, such as hazelnuts, cashews, and peanuts, in the batter. This will give the baked brownies a more sophisticated, nutty flavor and make them less fudgy.
Finally, adding a pinch of salt can also enhance the flavor of the brownies. Salt balances the sweetness of the brownies and can help to bring out the natural flavors of the chocolate as well as the other ingredients in the recipe.
3. Under Bake
Box brownies are so easy to make, but sometimes they can be undercooked or not as moist as you would like. Whether it’s because of the type of pan you use, or the temperature you bake them at, there are several ways to improve your brownies so they taste more homemade than ever before!
The first thing you need to do is change how you cook them. Instead of baking them according to the temperature and time on the box, try baking them at a lower temperature for a longer time. This will create fudge-like brownies with a more consistent consistency throughout the entire batch.
Another good idea is to rotate the baking pan halfway through cooking so that your brownies cook more evenly. This tip is particularly important if you’re using a dark non-stick pan that can cause uneven browning, but it’s also helpful for glass or ceramic pans.
Finally, check your brownies before the timer goes off to be sure they’re done. Insert a toothpick into the center of the batter and see if it comes out moist but not liquid, and with only a few crumbs left on the toothpick.
One way to make your brownies extra chocolaty is to add an extra tablespoon of cocoa powder to the mix. This will give them an extra chocolate kick, while keeping them chewy and moist at the same time.
4. Add a Layer of Cream Cheese or Marshmallow Fluff
Adding a layer of cream cheese or marshmallow fluff is a simple way to make box brownies better. It’s also a perfect dessert to serve at a party or other special celebration, especially if you want to impress your guests with something light and delicious.
If you’re making a fruit platter, a classic marshmallow fluff fruit dip is the perfect way to add flavor and texture to your dessert table. It’s creamy, light, and perfect for dipping fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, apples, and bananas.
While serving your dip in a large bowl is always an option, you can also create a fruit board that includes a small bowl of the dip surrounded by freshly cut fruits, cookies, graham crackers, and pretzels for even more variety. It’s a great option for holidays, birthdays, bridal showers, and other special occasions.
You can even try adding different flavors of fruit to your batter, like raspberries or strawberries. Folding a handful of these into the batter before baking will give your brownies a sweet and tart taste.
Swirling ingredients into the batter is another easy way to make your brownies a little more fun. There are many ways to swirl in other ingredients, like sour cream, peanut butter, caramel, or even ribbons of jelly.
Don’t swirl too much, though – this can destroy the beautiful texture and flavor of the fluff or peanut butter, which is why I suggest only swirling in a few tablespoons at a time.
5. Add a Sprinkle of Sea Salt
Adding a sprinkle of sea salt is one of the easiest ways to make box brownies better. A few tablespoons of sea salt sprinkled on top while the brownies bake adds a bit of extra flavor without weighing them down too much.
The addition of salt also helps cut the sweetness of the brownies, bringing out their rich chocolate flavor. In fact, adding salt to the batter may actually help one of our taste receptors detect sweet flavors more easily.
Another simple way to upgrade your box brownies is to swirl them with other ingredients. You can add pastes like pistachio or nut butters, tahini, or even jams. Or, add a quick caramel sauce for a more decadent treat.
In addition, mixing in some brewed coffee or instant espresso will enhance the chocolate flavor of the brownies. If you don’t have any brewed coffee or instant coffee on hand, you can use a teaspoon of vanilla extract instead to give your brownies the same effect.
Lastly, adding chocolate chips or chunks is another easy way to make box brownies better. These add moisture and create a fudgy texture.
To take this upgrade a step further, consider baking your brownies in muffin pans. This makes for a deliciously individual dessert that takes just a few minutes to prepare.