Six Clever Ways to Make Boxed Brownie Mix Taste Like Homemade

Most people skip making brownies from scratch because boxed mixes are quick and nearly as delicious. But if you want the convenience of a mix with the rich, fudgy texture of homemade brownies, these six simple tricks will help you achieve that perfect balance.

1. Swap Oil for Melted Butter.

Many boxed brownie mixes call for vegetable oil, which results in a lighter texture and a milder flavor. To bring a more homemade richness to your brownies, substitute the oil with melted butter in equal amounts. This simple swap adds depth and decadence to the flavor and texture. After all, who can resist extra indulgence?

2. Replace Water with Milk, Flavored Creamers, or Brewed Coffee.

For richer brownies, swapping water for milk is a must. The milk’s fat enhances both flavor and texture, creating that classic fudgy consistency that water simply can’t provide.

To kick it up a notch, try using flavored coffee creamers instead of water or milk. Picture the warm, nutty taste of hazelnut creamer paired with a Nutella swirl or the sweet, buttery flavor of Southern pecan creamer with toasted pecans. The flavor combinations are limitless!

Brewed coffee also makes an excellent replacement for water, as its bold, slightly bitter taste will amplify the deep chocolate notes in your brownies. Just let the coffee cool to room temperature before mixing it into your batter.

3. Incorporate Extracts or Flavorings.

One of the most delightful aspects of homemade desserts is the chance to add a "secret ingredient" that becomes your signature touch. Think of that special recipe your grandmother made that always tasted just right. It’s likely that her secret ingredient was a unique extract or flavoring!

A teaspoon of almond extract can give your brownies a nostalgic, old-fashioned flavor. Rum extract is perfect for adding a festive twist during the holidays. And, of course, vanilla extract pairs well with nearly every other flavor you might use.

4. Add Fun Mix-Ins Like Cookies or Candies.

This is where you can really unleash your imagination!

Cookies, candies, and nuts are perfect additions. Think Oreos, mini peanut butter cups, candy sprinkles, mini Snickers, or even pecans and walnuts. The combinations are endless! Gently fold these fun mix-ins into your brownie batter for a treat that's uniquely yours.

And don't forget about swirls! Peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, Nutella, caramel sauce, or even white or dark chocolate fudge are all fantastic choices to swirl into your brownie batter. To create a swirl, prepare your brownies as usual, pour the batter into your baking dish, then add spoonfuls of your chosen swirl. Use a knife to gently drag through the batter in circular motions, creating beautiful marbled lines.

More: Irresistible Treats That Begin With Brownie Mix

5. Slightly Underbake Your Brownies.

Don't worry, I'm not suggesting you eat raw brownie batter! But for that rich, indulgent homemade flavor, one of the best tricks is to pull your brownies from the oven about 4 to 5 minutes earlier than usual. Even if you don't follow any of the other tips, this simple step will result in brownies that are wonderfully gooey and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Trust me, it's worth it!

6. Add Toppings

Anything that you mix into your brownies can also serve as a topping, but there are plenty of other options too! Try adding sprinkles, chocolate or caramel sauces, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, or even mini M&M's once your brownies have cooled to perfection.

You can also add delicious toppings right as the brownies come out of the oven. Marshmallows will melt just enough to form a perfect s'mores topping. For a minty twist, drop in Andes mints or peppermint patties to create a gooey, minty brownie. A handful of chocolate chips sprinkled on top while the brownies are still warm will melt into a quick, smooth ganache when spread.

My Favorite Mix-Ins and Toppings

Pecan Caramel Brownies:

• Substitute southern pecan coffee creamer for the water
• Add in pecans and a tsp of rum extract
• After they cook, I like to add a little caramel sauce and pecans on top

Peanut Butter Brownies:

• Substitute French vanilla coffee creamer for the water
• Add in pieces of mini peanut butter cups
• Add dollops of creamy peanut butter to make your peanut butter swirl
• Add some more mini peanut butter cups on top after they've cooled

Snickers-Loaded Brownies:

• Substitute whole milk for the water
• Add pieces of mini Snickers to the batter
• Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract to the batter
• Top baked brownies with extra pieces of mini Snickers and caramel sauce

Feel free to use as many or as few of these tips as you wish. No matter how you decide to enhance your boxed brownies, you're sure to end up with a delicious result!

Craving homemade brownies? Check out our from-scratch brownie recipes for a true homemade treat.