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Better Than Box Mix Chocolate Brownies

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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?

Chocolate Brownies are the iconic dessert you crave! Learn how to make "Better Than Box" Chocolate Brownies with our amazingly simple brownie recipe!

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. 

Chocolate Brownies are the iconic dessert you crave! Learn how to make "Better Than Box" Chocolate Brownies with our amazingly simple brownie recipe!

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.

Chocolate Brownies are the iconic dessert you crave! Learn how to make "Better Than Box" Chocolate Brownies with our amazingly simple recipe!

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? 

Equipment you’ll need

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.
  • 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.
Chocolate Brownies are the iconic dessert you crave! Learn how to make "Better Than Box" Chocolate Brownies with our amazingly simple recipe!

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:

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!

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Why make a box mix brownies when I'll bet you have everything on hand to make these? They really are "Better Than Box Mix" brownies! | Persnickety Plates

Better Than Box Mix Brownies

Melissa Williams | Persnickety Plates
Why make a box mix brownies when I’ll bet you have everything on hand to make these? They really are “Better Than Box Mix” brownies!
4.73 from 430 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15 servings
Calories 366 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil or 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. Don’t let it boil.
  • Pour the butter/sugar mixture into a large bowl (or your stand mixer bowl). Add in cocoa powder and mix to combine.
  • Add in eggs, salt, baking powder and vanilla. Beat until fully incorporated.
  • With the mixer on low, slowly add in flour until just combined.
  • Stir in chocolate chips and make sure they are evenly distributed.
  • Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for approximately 30 minutes, until a toothpick 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 foil overhang. Peel back the parchment/foil and cut into squares.
  • Store in an airtight container.

Video

Notes

Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to a week. 
 
Adapted from King Arthur Flour

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 366kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 4gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 290mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 3gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 470IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg

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.

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @melissa_pplates or tag #persnicketyplates!

Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.

Photos updated October 12, 2016

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  1. Marie says

    5 stars
    Really great brownies! Will make this again! Thank you for sharing.

  2. jonna bradley says

    5 stars
    This is my go to brownie recipe! We love it and I make it again and again!

  3. Julie Schur says

    5 stars
    To me, these are the best brownies I’ve ever had. I don’t use boxed anything so I love these.

  4. Meli says

    5 stars
    Best recipe of brownies ever! thanks for sharing Melissa, greetings from Costa rica

  5. Sharon Wyatt says

    5 stars
    These brownies are AMAZING! I will definitely make them again!

  6. Mallory says

    I made these and they’re good but not as moist as I would like. Tips on how to possibly make them more moist?

  7. Kesia says

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing this recipe. It was a hit with my family. My only deviation was adding a tablespoon of instant coffee. The brownies were just yummy!

  8. Kristy says

    Unfortunately we did not like these at all. They were very dense and dry… Definitely more cake like than brownies. Maybe you should describe them as a more dense brownie?

  9. Eric Werner says

    5 stars
    Made these last night. I had a really bad day and Needed Chocolate. So glad I chose this recipe.
    All I can say is these are fantastic.

    • Melissa Williams says

      So glad these helped your day & I hope today is going better =)

  10. Kristin says

    5 stars
    These are AMAZING. I’ve been looking for a brownie recipe for years and have never found one that I like. These are super easy to make and absolutely delicious!! I added 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and 1 Tbsp of instant coffee granules and WOW. Thank you!

  11. Mya says

    4 stars
    Is the batter supposed to be extremely thick?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Yes, it’s a fairly thick batter. I wouldn’t say extremely.

  12. Mary says

    5 stars
    Found these on Pinterest, really good.

  13. Deb Scaggs says

    5 stars
    Just finished making these!They smell absolutely devine😀.Can’t wait until they cool down enough to try.Thank you so much for the recipe!

  14. Rosemary says

    5 stars
    Made these today! They were super easy and my family loved them. I heard a little tip that I’ll share. If you use a plastic knife to cut your brownies, it’s nice and clean. 😃

    • Melissa Williams says

      Yep, I use that tip! I should include it in the post 🙂

  15. Are says

    5 stars
    I make these in my brownie pan that makes little squares. My kids LOVE them! Perfect for camping. Thanks for sharing 😊

  16. Meg says

    5 stars
    Tried this so yummy. I add a few almonds for texture.

  17. Chloe says

    5 stars
    They turned out perfect! I used M’n’ms instead of chocolate chips and it worked just the same. I am addicted to the flakey too and gooey chocolate inside!

    • Melissa Williams says

      I”m so happy to hear that! The flaky crust is my favorite, too!

  18. Belen says

    5 stars
    Great brownies! I turned the oven off for the last 5 minutes and it made them soft/chewy! Will definitely make again!

  19. Stephanie says

    I’m not sure why I followed the recipe exactly and I had to leave them in way longer then 30 minutes like around 45 minutes because I would stick a fork in there and they were not done. They are really really rich and do not taste like the box brownies at all, is that normal ? It is also really dark because of all the Coco powder is that normal? People say it’s gooey but mine isn’t. Maybe it’s because I didn’t have a mixer I used a hand mixer/beater.

    • Melissa Williams says

      Hi Stephanie – it’s hard to troubleshoot what went wrong when I’m not in the kitchen with you. They’re not supposed to taste like the box – they’re better 😉 They’re likely not gooey because it sounds like you overbaked them. A fork isn’t the best tester – try to use a toothpick or a thin, sharp knife next time.

  20. Megan says

    5 stars
    This recipe is sooo good!!! DEFINITELY way better than boxed brownies

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