how to level up boxed brownie mix!

Sharing 3 tips on how to easily level up boxed brownie mix!

even the most confident baker needs a boxed mix every now and then!

It’s no secret that I love to bake – and I’ve been a serious baker for almost 40 years. And it’s also no secret that I love to use boxed mixes every now and then – no shame here!

From my most beloved chocolate cake to waffles, from “Coke Cake” to surprise cupcakes, boxed mixes have a solid place in my heart – and my kitchen.

the trick is to level up those mixes!

Now you might think it contradictory to try and elevate a boxed mix – I mean, the whole point of using a mix is to make something fast and easy, right?

Well, kind of. Stay with me here.

Sure, you can just dump out the mix, add your other ingredients and bake it off, but with just a few extra minutes (and in the case of one of my tips, NO extra minutes), you can bump up that mix substantially.

So without further ado, here are my three top tips for leveling up boxed brownie mix!

use browned butter!

The mix I used – and most mixes, I believe – calls for vegetable oil. I replace the oil with an equal amount of butter, which I melt down and cook till golden brown and smells nutty. I can’t think of a recipe that doesn’t get that much better with the addition of brown butter, and brownies are no exception!

replace the water with brewed coffee!

This is the MOVE, guys. And I promise that it won’t make your brownies taste like coffee! Here’s a great explanation of why this works, from Food & Wine:

 “The bitterness of coffee balances the sweetness of chocolate, keeping it from becoming cloying. At the same time, coffee adds another layer to the chocolate flavor, making it more complex and intense.”

Give it a try!

add mix-ins!

This may seem obvious but can really step up your boxed brownie game. Here I chopped up an entire bar of good quality white chocolate, but the sky’s the limit! Any chopped candy, nut or dried fruit (or a combo!) will work, but don’t stop there! After you pour the batter into the pan, dollop your favorite topping or spread and give it all a pretty swirl! Think Nutella, Biscoff, jams/preserves and nut or seed butter are just some of the delicious options.

Let me know which of these tips you try!

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