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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 (226 g) salted butter
- 2 cups (396 g) granulated white sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups (105 g) unsweetened cocoa powder or black cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) all purpose flour
- 1 cup (280 g) 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
I found this recipe on Pinterest. Very easy to make. Made them for my nephew’s bday. He was happy. Added semi-sweet choc chips and white choc chips to batter. This recipe is a keeper.
Thanks, Tracye!
I was craving chocolate…I needed something…found this recipe and it didn’t require me to go to the store!!! I used Herseys special dark cocoa powder and Holy Moly!!!! I put walnuts on half and plain on the other half….so so so so good!! Thank You for such a great recipe!
Yay 🙂 so happy to hear that – thank you for reporting back!
hi! i only have a 9×9 pan. how much time would i put that in for, and/or what temperature?
This recipe makes a “family size” batch so it won’t fit in a 9×9. Either half it or maybe try this smaller recipe instead https://www.persnicketyplates.com/simple-dark-chocolate-brownies/
I rate this recipe a 10-star. I bake all the time and have never found a recipe that was so true to its ratings. You’ll never bake any brownies out of a box that will ever taste this good. I did add a half cup of chopped pecans. I do wonder if they can be frozen. Thanks for sharing.
Becky! That made my night 🙂 thank you for the review. I have never froze these (they don’t last that long!) but I would cut them, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then put them in a freezer bag for whenever you’re ready.
Best brownies I’ve ever made!! So moist and chewy! My son even likes them and hates other brownies. 😁
Yesss love hearing that! I just made myself a batch today =)
Can this recipe be adapted to make Blondies?
I have not tested. I have a few blondie recipes though > https://www.persnicketyplates.com/?s=blondie
I have a non stick metal pan can I use that or do I have to have to foil and non stick sorry as well
You can use a non-stick pan, I just find it easier to lift them out & serve with the foil.
I made these last night and they are my new favorite brownie! ( I have made several different recipes.) They taste so good and my coworkers loved them, also! Excellent recipe!
Thanks, Susan! Happy to hear that 🙂
These were the best brownies I’ve ever had! I won’t be going back to any other recipe. I followed the instructions exactly, and they came out perfect on my first try. Thick, fudgy but not too fudgy, cakey but not too cakey, and rich but not too rich. This was the perfect recipe 🙂
Thank you so much!
Such a yummy brownie recipe! They were super easy to make and turned out perfect the first time I made them! Highly recommend trying out this recipe!
Thank you, Linda!
So easy and truly the best brownies we’ve ever had!! My son hates brownies and these changed his mind ☺️. They are the only ones he’ll eat though.
I’m so glad we converted him! 😉 Thanks so much for reporting back.
Best brownies I’ve ever made!It turned out pretty good.
This recipe is AMAZING!!!! Easy to make and so much better than 📦 brownies. Thank you for sharing. I will make these again.
So happy to hear that – thank you for reporting back!
I have made these twice now. Great results! I add espresso chips and everyone loves the added kick!
Happy to hear they’re on repeat! 😉
Very easy and delicious recipe! I usually make brownies from the box but after using this recipe I will never go back. I made a double batch which was more than enough to fill a half sheet pan to get a nice thick brownie.
I’m happy to have converted you! Thanks for reporting back =)
I’ve tried others but they were just ok. Couldn’t figure out why they would rise just fine and then fall like a souffle very disappointing. THESE ON THE OTHER HAND ARE TRULY PERFECT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Made my night – thanks for reporting back!
I didn’t have any chocolate chips in the cupboard so made them without. Family doesn’t care for nuts either, so none of those! So far everyone loves them. Will be making these again! I found this on Pinterest, because my mom’s recipe card is so old & used I can’t read it anymore. So thank you!
I’m happy to hear that. Thanks, Karla!
Made these brownies today, they are delicious. This is the first time I made brownies from scratch. So easy.
Yay =)
This is the best brownie recipe! Very easy to make. So moist and chewy. Definitely get your chocolate fix with these!
Agreed! =)
I think I ate half the batter before I even got it into the pan!! I knew these would be uniquely good when I was mixing it all and the consistency was so thick and smooth and amazing!!
Thanks, Danielle! I made a batch last night =)