Better Than Box Mix Brownie Recipe (2024)

Better than box mix brownie recipe! These easy one-bowl cocoa powder brownies are as easy as boxed mix brownies, but they taste so much better!

Box brownie mix is the star of the box mix section. Mix brownies are one dessert that homemade brownies always try to copy.

Even though the flavor can be a little lacking, box mix brownies have that amazing chewy/fudgy texture and perfect, shiny brownie crust that make them so incredible.

These scratch brownies take that amazing chewy/fudgy texture and add rich chocolate flavor. They’re so tasty that you’ll never want to make box brownies again!

Ingredients and substitutions

• Butter: I use salted butter. If you’re using unsalted butter, increase the salt by 1/4 teaspoon. You can melt the butter my placing it in a large, microwave-safe bowl and microwaving for about 40 seconds. Stir until completely melted.
• Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar will work.
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Large eggs
• All-purpose flour
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: I’ve only used unsweetened cocoa powder and haven’t tried using Dutch-process cocoa powder in this recipe.
• Salt
• Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips: You can substitute another type of chocolate chip. Please don’t skip the chocolate chips, through, because they help the brownies to form the crust on top.

How to make better than box mix brownies

If you aren’t familiar with baking brownies, check out my how to make brownies post for tons of tips and info that will help you make the best brownies.

Step 1: Whisk the butter, sugars, and vanilla together until well-combined.

Step 2: Whisk in the eggs one at a time until combined.

Step 3: Add the flour, cocoa powder, and salt to the butter and sugar mixture. Whisk just until combined. There’s no need to beat the batter – whisking it just until the ingredients are incorporated is sufficient. The batter should be thick and smooth.

Step 4: Fold in the chocolate chips, and pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan.

Step 5: Bake until a toothpick in the center comes out with fudgy crumbs attached. Wet batter means that the brownies aren’t done cooking. No crumbs means the brownies are over-baked. Just a few fudgy crumbs is perfect.

Step 6: Let the brownies cool in the pan before cutting and serving.

What should brownies look like when baked?

These brownies will have a thin, shiny crust on top. They’ll be set at the edges and still look a little fudgy in the middle.

When a wooden toothpick is inserted in the center, it should come out with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

I like to store brownies in an airtight container in the fridge because it helps to make them chewier and fudgier. It also makes them last a little longer.

If stored in the fridge, the brownies will keep for up to 4 or 5 days. If stored, covered, at room temperature, the brownies will keep 2-3 days.

More brownie recipes!

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