How to Hack a Box of Brownie Mix

This is a recipe from my college days that I could pull together in a pinch for anything from a movie night with friends to a sorority event. And it all starts with a box of brownie mix. Much like my pumpkin cupcakes, which are also semi-homemade, these brownies are so dang good that I have never bothered with going the scratch route. I know, I know: shame on me, right? Oh well. These brownies come out dense and decadent every. single. time. Plus, they just look so gorgeous that you'll get all the presentation points before anybody even takes a bite. This is the dessert you whip up when you want to impress but are short on time. With the hacks in this post, nobody will ever even suspect that the recipe wasn't passed down from your great granny and created with the purest, most indulgent ingredients...unless, of course...they also read this post! 🙂

How I Hack a Box of Brownie Mix

I hadn't made these brownies in a while (I'm talking years, y'all.) and decided to dust off the technique for my housewarming party this past weekend. The brownies did not disappoint one bit. This recipe is a super simple one that anybody can slay with just a few ingredients. All you need to do is take 2 boxes of brownie mix and the corresponding ingredients (eggs, etc.) per to the package directions, melted butter in place of oil, chopped and sugared strawberries, a bar of dark chocolate plus a pinch a sea salt then prepare for magic. Feel free to scale back this recipe accordingly to just one box of brownie mix if you're serving a smaller crowd...or just yourself. No judgement, sis. 🙂

My preference when it comes to chocolate is the darker the better and the sea salt adds the perfect touch. Also, you can use any old box mix. I've tried this with fancy brands as well as budget store brands with no issues. Get into the easy recipe and a couple more drool-worthy pictures below.

Do you have a go-to recipe shortcut? More ways to jazz up a box brownie mix? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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Hacked Box-Mix Brownies

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

40 mins

Total Time

45 mins

 

An easy spin on boxed brownie mix that takes dessert to the next level with fresh, sugared strawberries and dark chocolate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brownie mix, dark chocolate brownies, easy brownies, easy dessert, how to jazz up boxed brownies

Servings: 12 brownies

Ingredients

• 1 pint strawberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 boxes brownie mix I use one box of "fudge-like" brownie mix and one box of regular brownie mix for best results
• 1 3.5-ounce bar of dark chocolate
• butter per brownie mix directions (in place of oil)
• eggs per brownie mix directions
• water per brownie mix directions
• sea salt to taste, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven per brownie mix directions. Wash strawberries then pat dry. Chop strawberries and place the pieces in a bowl. Stir in sugar to coat the strawberries then set aside.

2. Melt enough butter to replace the amount of oil your brownie mix directions call for. Combine butter with brownie mix, eggs, and water in a large bowl and stir until uniform.

3. Pour brownie batter into a 13" by 9" pan and place in oven. Due to doubling the recipe and replacing the oil with butter, the baking time will likely vary.

4. Begin with the original baking time for one batch and check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the brownie. Bake until the toothpick comes out clean. One batch batch typically takes 40 minutes in my oven.

5. While brownies are still warm, break up you bar of chocolate and place the pieces over top so that they melt. Spread the chocolate to cover the top of the brownies then add a sprinkle of sea salt over top.

6. Once brownies have cooled slightly (about 25 minutes), top with the chopped strawberries and cut into squares. Serve warm.

Recipe Notes

To half this recipe, bake in a square 9" by 9" pan.