Best box mix brownie recipe! These easy one-bowl cocoa powder brownies are as easy as boxed mix brownies, but they taste so much better!
Brownie mixes are the star of the box mix section. As an aside, I had no idea people had such strong feelings about mixes! Turns out, a lot of people really love or really hate them.
There are some great cakes that begin with a box cake mix, but it isn't difficult to make amazing cakes from scratch. Brownies, though, are a whole 'nother story.
Mix brownies are one dessert that scratch recipes 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.
Are These Brownies Fudgy?
These brownies fall somewhere in between chewy and fudgy. They have the same great shiny crust like box mix brownies, but they have the yummy chocolate flavor that so many mixes are missing.
Check out this recipe if you want rich, fudgy brownies.
How To Make Box Mix Brownies From Scratch
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.
Whisk the butter, sugars, and vanilla together until well-combined (1). Whisk in the eggs one at a time until combined (2).
Add the flour, cocoa powder, and salt to the bowl (3). 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.
Stir in the chocolate chips, and pour the batter into the prepared baking pan (4).
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.
Let the brownies cool in the pan before cutting and serving.
What Should Brownies Look Like When Cooked?
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 fudgy crumbs attached.
How To Store Brownies
How To Store BrowniesI like to store brownies, covered, 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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Better Than Box Mix Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (melted)
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (weighed or properly measured1)
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. Set aside.
- Stir together the butter, sugars, and vanilla in a large bowl until well-combined.
- Stir in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each, until thoroughly blended.
- Add the flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in until just incorporated.
- Mix in the chocolate morsels.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake 20-35 minutes. The edges should look dry and set, but there should still have fudgy crumbs but not wet batter when a toothpick is inserted in the middle.
- Cool in the pan to room temperature before cutting.
Notes
- To avoid packing in the flour (and ending up with dry brownies), sift or stir the flour. Then lightly spoon it into the measuring cup. Avoid tamping it down or packing it in. Level the flour off with a butter knife.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition Information
Originally published 8/26/16. Updated 6/21/19.
Lisa
Why is there no baking powder or baking soda?
Kate
There is traditionally no leavening (baking powder or baking soda) in brownie recipes. Leavening agents tend to produce a cakier brownie, so most fudge or chewy brownie recipes don't include any.
Allie
These are some bomb brownies! I'm never using a mix again!
Kate
Yay! I'm so glad that you liked them. Thanks for commenting! =)
Denice
I'm stumped...I used to use a brownie recipe of yours from your site and I can't find it. They were THE BEST BROWNIES. I'm thinking maybe these are them, but you renamed them? I just don't remember the original recipe calling for chocolate morsels. They were very fudgy
Kate
I took the recipe down, but I still have it. I've received so many requests lately that I think I need to put it back up! In the mean time, I can email it to you if you would like. =)
Denice
Yes.....pretty please. It's our favorite and I always make them for my family for Valentines Day.
Melanie
Me too please
Kate
Hi! I reposted the recipe. You can find it here.
Caroline
You're right- these are way better than box brownies!
Kate
Thank you!