If you love brownie box you probably have a box of your favorite mix in the pantry. But there are several hacks you can use to make your brownies taste homemade. These easy steps add virtually no time but will take your brownies to the next level.
Replace the water in your brownie mix with milk or a flavored creamer for richer, more flavorful brownies. You can even use a flavored coffee creamer such as hazelnut or Southern butter pecan for added nutty flavors.
Simple Mills Brownie Mix
Brownies are an essential dessert for tailgates and birthday parties, but baking them yourself is time-consuming. Boxed mixes make the task much easier, allowing you to prepare delicious brownies in a short amount of time.
This Simple Mills brownie mix is made with whole grains and uses natural ingredients, including almond flour, organic coconut sugar, chocolate chips, and Dutch cocoa powder. It also contains arrowroot and tapioca starch to help the batter rise and bake evenly. It also has up to 25% less sugar than other brands.
While the brownies were tasty, they had a strong flour taste and didn’t have that distinctive crack on the top. This mix also wasn’t as chocolaty as some of the other ones we tried. But the fact that it has a good amount of protein and is gluten-free makes it a great option for those with allergies or who want to try something new. It also comes with a range of add-ins, including nuts and chocolate chips.
Betty Crocker Brownie Mix
The most popular brownie mix in the market, Betty Crocker has long been a favorite for its simple, tasty recipes. Its brownies are soft, chewy, and fudgy. They also have a delicate, flaky top that some testers found appealing. The mix is also a great value and it is easily available in most grocery stores.
Trader Joe’s Brownie Baking Mix is another good choice for a healthier version of the traditional boxed brownie. The company uses whole foods and sources most of its ingredients from USDA organic producers. Its brownie mix is gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo friendly.
Unlike most other brownie mixes, this one doesn’t contain sugar or artificial flavors. It also includes chocolate chips. It’s easy to prepare and goes from bowl to oven in minutes. All you need to add are water, vegetable oil, and eggs. The baking instructions also include suggestions for different pan sizes and materials. Most of these instructions recommend a metal pan, but some also suggest using glass or ceramic instead.
Baker’s Joy Brownie Mix
This traditional milk chocolate brownie mix from the venerable Betty Crocker brand is an easy choice for people who want to keep a simple mix on hand. It requires only water, vegetable oil, and eggs to make. For those who prefer their brownies to have a slight vanilla flavor, a few drops of extract will enhance the mix’s natural chocolaty taste.
For a crunchy or nutty addition, stir in chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or pistachios. You can also add a cup of dark or milk chocolate chunks to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
If you’re looking for a healthier option, try Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Lovers Brownie Mix. It’s made with less sugar than other brownie mixes and uses all-organic ingredients. It is, however, more expensive than most other brownie mix options. It is also not suitable for those who have a dairy allergy or intolerance. However, since plant-based eating is now mainstream, more 100 percent vegan brownie mixes are becoming available as well.
King Arthur Flour Brownie Mix
Unlike some brownie mixes that leave an unappetizing brown rice aftertaste or have a weird texture, King Arthur Flour’s mix is gluten free and tastes like real brownies. It also holds up well in the freezer and can be easily reheated when you’re craving a delicious dessert.
This mix bakes fudgy brownies, but if you want cake-like brownies, substitute 10 tablespoons melted butter (or oil) + 3 large eggs for the butter or margarine, water, and eggs called for in the recipe. Bake as directed.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in a metal pan (325 degrees F if using glass pan), or until a tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it. This mix also works well with a variety of add-ins, including nuts and chocolate chips. Makes 16 brownies. This brownie mix is made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
