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“Better Than Box Mix” Chocolate Brownies really are better than the box! Why make a box mix brownies when I’ll bet you have everything on hand to make these?
Better than Box Brownies
The other night, after we finished our bourbon chicken, I wanted dessert. I checked the cupboard for a brownie mix but I didn’t have any.
I glanced over this recipe I had pinned last month, realized how simple it was, and decided to give it a shot. I’m really glad I did.
I had never made chocolate brownies from scratch but I’ll never go back now.
Now all my brownies are homemade – coconut oil brownies, simple chocolate brownies, zucchini brownies, cream cheese brownies.
These are best brownies I have ever tasted!
– Karen
Why Choose This Chocolate Brownies Recipe?
This recipe is so simple & really good. They’re very dense and chocolaty and even better when served warm topped with vanilla ice cream.
You probably have all the ingredients on hand so you should give it a shot, you’ll be happy you did. It is just as simple as that.
What other reason do you need to make our chocolate brownies?
✨ The dark chocolate version shown below was made with black cocoa powder. It gives a really dark, delicious chocolate flavor that I highly recommend (if you’re a dark chocolate lover!).
Both photos shown are the same recipe, just different cocoa powder.
Equipment you’ll need
- 9 x 13 baking dish WITH LID
- Hand mixer
- Brownie spatula that happens to be really cute
Better than Box Brownies Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- Butter – I use salted butter but unsalted will work just as well.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar. This recipe calls for a lot of it, but they’re a treat.
- Eggs – Large eggs, at room temperature.
- Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened cocoa powder. Some people question the amount but it’s not a typo, they really need all that cocoa powder. If you want dark chocolate, use black cocoa powder.
- Salt – For balance and to amplify the chocolate flavor.
- Baking Powder – For rise.
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract (not imitation) for the best flavor.
- Flour – All purpose white flour is all I’ve tested with.
- Chocolate Chips – An optional mix-in, but I find them required. I use Ghirardelli baking chips because they’re my favorite. Adding chocolate chips to the batter also helps create the shiny, crinkly brownie crust.
How To Serve These Chocolate Brownies
This recipe for chocolate brownies makes what would be a “family size” of the box mix – a 9×13 pan, which is about 15-18 good sized brownies. That means you don’t have to fight anyone for your serving.
It also means if you are careful, you can sneak a few out of the pan to save for later before anyone sees them!
I recommend serving by themselves, or as a brownie sundae with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge on top!
Don’t forget a few extra chocolate sprinkles or chocolate chips!
Can I freeze them?
Yes, they will freeze well. Individually wrap the brownies in plastic wrap or foil and place in a freezer bag. Press out any air and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, move the brownie to the counter and let thaw at room temperature.
Want to try more brownie recipes? Try these:
- Simple Dark Chocolate Brownies (this makes a small batch – my favorite!)
- Pretzel Crusted Brownies
- Peanut Butter Brownies
Click here to view my entire collection of bars and brownies.
Chocolate Brownies are one of the most iconic desserts of all time. Using this simple but delicious recipe is ideal. Especially if you are like me and don’t always plan for dessert.
Keep ingredients on hand for this recipe and you’ll never be stuck without a chocolate fix when you need it!
Better Than Box Mix Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups unsweetened cocoa powder or black cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup chocolate chips I use Ghiradelli baking chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Line a 9×13 baking dish parchment paper, allowing it to hang over the edges. Spray with non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a small pot, melt butter over medium low heat. Once completely melted, add in the sugar and stir together. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring continually, until the sugar has dissolved. Don’t let the mixture boil.1 cup salted butter, 2 cups granulated white sugar
- Pour the butter/sugar mixture into a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer bowl).
- In another mixing bowl, while the butter mixture is cooling, add the eggs, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until fully incorporated, approximately 1 minute.4 large eggs, 1 ¼ cups unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon vanilla
- Pour the egg mixture into the butter mixture and stir to combine.
- Stir in the flour and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.1 ½ cups all purpose flour, 1 cup chocolate chips
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached.
- Cool in the pan on a wire rack.
- Once cool, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into squares.
- Store in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag me on Instagram @melissa_pplates so I can see!Photos updated October 12, 2016
These brownies are okay….Next time I will try less salt and cook at least 5 minutes less 😅
I love this original better then box mix brownies, nice and chocolatey? Happy Birthday
I dearly LOVE brownies and these are the best I’ve ever had. I’ve never made brownies from scratch before and I didn’t know what I was missing!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!
So much better, right??
I adore these brownies! I do make a slight change and do half brown sugar and half granulated white sugar. I love their flavor and I make them ALL the time. Happy Birthday, Melissa!
happy birthday! Love ❤️ these brownies ☺️
Brownies just like what I remember from my childhood. A neighbor always made them for the neighborhood kids. I had been looking for the recipe for many years now. She always added pecans (and lots of them) to her recipe. I made a pan of these and sent them with my husband to work! The crew asked to have them again! I do like that the recipe makes a 9″ x 13″ pan. Anything smaller is not enough chocolate for his hungry crew! Happy Birthday, and thank you for sharing your gift of cooking and recipes with all of us!
I love that, you’re welcome!
These look delicious! I’ve never seen brownies made with black cocoa powder. I have some left over from another recipe, and I think I may have to try that variation the next time I make brownies! Happy Birthday!
Let me know if you try!
I haven’t tried these yet but I will really soon. My daughter loves one brand of boxed brownies so I want to see what she thinks.
Have a wonderful and happy birthday!
Hello Melissa,
You better than box mix chocolate brownies look so chewy, moist and irresistible that I will definitely be making them, this brownie recipe looks like a winner. Happy birthday on your special day.
Thank you for the recipe!
Hi there & Happy Birthday 🎁
These are delicious, they remind me of the ones my mother made. Always dense, chewy & dark chocolate taste with the use of the cocoa powder!
Thanks for the memories 😉
Thanks, Kim!
I LOVE brownies and can’t wait to try your recipe. Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday ,wishing you a day of love , laughter ,& happiness with friends & family..I have made these brownies and they where delicious
Thank you, Fran! Glad you liked them 🙂
So much better than box!! Amazing served warm with vanilla ice cream!
Brownies are about the only sweet thing besides ice cream that he eats. Its nice to finally have that ‘go to’ recipe!
Happy to be a go-to!
Happy Birthday! These brownies are so good! Loved by all!
I love your brownie recipe!! Brownies are my go to for crowd friendly dessert!
happy birthday
I love adding coffee to my brownies. I usually make a cup of coffee and add about 1/3 cup to the batter. Could I do that with this recipe or should it be expresso powder? If so, how much?
I haven’t tested with prepared coffee but a teaspoon of espresso powder should be fine.
These sound great! Good they can be stored for up to a week… But I’m pretty sure they won’t be around in my house for a week!
Nope, can pretty much guarantee they won’t! lol