Want to know how to make box brownies better? These box brownie hacks make chocolate dreams possible! Try one (or more) of these out-of-this-world flavors to take your baking to the next level!
Chocolate lovers, rejoice. I mean sing it out! These box brownie recipe hacks will knock your socks off and feed your chocolate fix like nothing else.
The best part – you can make these in no time, with the fudgy, rich brownies from a mix.
Sometimes I just want to grab a box mix from the pantry and make those nostalgic tasting brownies. And sometimes I want that easy fix with a kick!
I came up with nine different ways to improve box brownies, and I'm completely prepared for mass amounts of thank you's and praise. Because these rock!
Jump to:
Are you on the fence? Homemade brownies or boxed mix brownies? I get to the bottom (of the batter bowl) and talk about the debate, just click here.
For the gourmet brownie variations in this post, I tested everything with a box mix. But you may try them with your favorite homemade brownie recipe if you'd like!
From fresh fruit and toasty coconut, to s'mores and mint, I souped up the mix and made history...well, I mean brownies. It's easy, you can do it in a flash.
How to Make Box Brownies Better
Before using these brownie hacks, you'll first need to line your pan with foil and spray it with cooking spray.
I find this helps with cleanup, but it also allows you to lift the cooled brownies out of the pan and cut them on a cutting board. That makes perfect squares, instead of squished mounds of deliciousness that you scoop out of a deep pan!
Once you've prepped your baking dish and have whisked together the brownie mix according to the package instructions, you can add the following mix-ins and toppings:
- Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies — These are swirled with sweetened cream cheese and fresh berries.
- Caramel Pretzel Brownies — Feature a salty pretzels and that brown sugar butterscotch topping. I melted butterscotch chips and put the meltiness in a little bag. Snip the corner and squeeze lines and squiggles on top of the brownies.
- Tropical Coconut Brownies — Have sweet, tangy dried pineapple and toasted coconut in them.
- Peanut Butter Brownies — Topped with a thick layer of peanut butter frosting.
- Ginger Spice Brownies — Have the most incredible molasses icing.
- S'mores Brownies — Have sweet bits of graham cracker and toasted marshmallows on top.
- Grasshopper Brownies — Andes Mints transform plain boxed brownies into mint chocolate brownies!
- Coffee Cake Brownies — Who doesn't like coffee cake? That crumb topping makes brownies even better.
- Cookies and Cream Brownies — Made with that classic Oreo crunch.
There you go, nine boxed brownie ideas using the same brownie base. These hacks truly make boxed brownies taste gourmet!
What's the Best Brownie Mix?
For each batch, I used a box mix for a 9-by-13-inch pan (I love this professional one with straight sides!). Often the box brownie mix is labeled "family size."
As for which brownie mix is best, Ghirardelli and Betty Crocker both make great box brownie mixes in my opinion. However, feel free to use whatever you have on hand or is your favorite.
You'll find a review of boxed brownie mixes here, and a taste test of brownie mixes here.
If you absolutely love homemade brownies, but want to make one of the flavor variations I've listed, of course you can make my chewy, ultimate homemade brownie recipe.
Can Gluten-Free Brownie Mix Be Used?
Yes! These unique brownie toppings and mix-ins would work well with gluten-free box brownies too.
Even More Box Brownie Ideas
If you're looking for even more ways to improve box brownies, you could try adding a spoonful of instant coffee or instant espresso to the batter to enhance the chocolate flavor even further.
Or, add chocolate chips or chunks. Chopped nuts of any variety are also a good option!
And don't forget that brownie frosting is another quick and easy way to transform boxed brownies!
Tips for Baking with Boxed Brownies
- Underbaked is better than overbaked. If you accidentally overbake your brownies, they'll be dry and cakey in texture rather than rich and fudgy.
- Let the brownies cool completely. Unless specified in the recipe card below, you need to let the brownies cool completely before frosting or topping them. Plus, this gives the brownies time to firm up, which makes them easier to slice and serve.
- Get creative! These are just nine of countless brownie hacks you can try. If you come up with more DIY recipes using box brownies, please let me know if the comments below!
Tips for cutting brownies
I share more details on my classic brownie recipe post, but here are some quick tips.
- Let the pan of brownies cool completely. Lift brownies from pan using the foil or parchment. (this makes it easier to cut)
- Run a sharp chef or slicing knife under warm tap water and pat it dry.
- Press the warm knife into the brownies until it cuts all the way through.
- Wipe the knife carefully with a damp paper towel and repeat this process.
You can also use a plastic knife to cut brownies. Like the disposable kind you take on a picnic! It acts as a non-stick knife and cuts clean slices.
More Easy Brownie Recipes:
- The Ultimate Cookie-Stuffed Brownies
- Peanut Butter Brownie Cake
- Peppermint Cloud Marshmallow Brownies
- Fudgy Squash Brownies (Hide Your Veggies)
- Holiday Peppermint Brownies
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📖 Full Recipe
Think Outside Of The Box Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 standard box brownie mix ((plus ingredients called for on the box))
- Desired mix-ins and toppings ((see instructions below))
Instructions
RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE BROWNIES
- Mix together 1 teaspoon almond extract, 4 oz softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoon softened butter, ¼ cup sugar, 1 egg and 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour. Stir ½ cup raspberries into cream cheese mixture.
- Pour brownie batter in pan and dot with cream cheese mixture. Top with additional ½ cup raspberries. Get marble effect by drawing a knife through batter; bake until done.
CARAMEL PRETZEL BROWNIES
- Mix ½ cup broken pretzels and ½ cup chocolate chips into brownie batter. Pour into prepared pan and scatter surface with an additional 1 cup broken pretzels.
- Bake until done; allow to cool completely.
- Melt ½ cup butterscotch chips and transfer to a bag with a snipped corner. Drizzle over brownies.
TROPICAL COCONUT BROWNIES
- Mix ½ cup chopped macadamia nuts, ½ cup chopped dried pineapple and 1 teaspoon rum extract into brownie batter.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and scatter surface evenly with 1 cup coconut flakes or shredded coconut. Bake until brownies are done and coconut is toasted.
PEANUT BUTTER LAYER BROWNIES
- Mix ½ cup chopped peanuts into brownie batter. Pour into prepared pan and bake until done; allow to cool completely.
- Mix 1 cup peanut butter, 4 tablespoon melted unsalted butter, ¾ cup confectioners' sugar and ¼ teaspoon salt until smooth and spread over brownies. Sprinkle with ½ cup mini chocolate chips.
GINGER SPICE BROWNIES
- Mix ½ cup chopped crystallized ginger, 2 tablespoon molasses, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon ground ginger into brownie batter. Pour into prepared pan and bake until done; cool.
- Mix together ¾ cup confectioners' sugar, ½ tablespoon molasses and 2 teaspoon water and spread over brownies. Allow glaze to set before cutting brownies.
S'MORES BROWNIES
- Mix 1 cup broken graham crackers and ½ cup chocolate chips into brownie batter. Pour into prepared pan and bake until done.
- Top warm brownies with 3 cups mini marshmallows and broil until golden. When cool, cut into squares using a lightly greased knife.
GRASSHOPPER BROWNIES
- Mix ½ cup chopped Andes mints into brownie batter. Bake until done and allow to cool completely.
- Melt ½ cup light green chocolate melts. Use a spoon to drizzle over surface of brownies.
CRUMB COFFEE CAKE BROWNIES
- Mix 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder and ½ cup chopped walnuts into brownie batter. Pour into prepared pan.
- Blend together 1 stick softened butter, ½ cup sugar, 1¼ cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; scatter crumb mixture over brownie batter. Bake until done.
COOKIES AND CREAM BROWNIES
- Mix ½ cup white chocolate chips and ½ cup broken Oreos into brownie batter. Pour into prepared pan and sprinkle surface evenly with an additional 1 cup crushed Oreos. Bake until done.
Video
Notes
Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Recipe Tara Bench & Hilary Merzbacher. Photography Seth Smoot. Food Stylist Sara Neumeier. Prop Stylist Sarah Smart. Originally published in LHJ 11/12. Updated April 2022.
Nichole @TheSaltyMarshmallow says
Oh my gosh, these are so FUN! 🙂
Tara says
Oh thank you thank you!
Tiffany Meiter says
I need to make some of those tropical coconut. I loooove coconut!
Tara says
Oh they are super tasty!!
Tracey says
Do I use 8x8 or 9x13 brownie mix
Tara T. says
Hi Tracey, I tested the recipe using a 9-by-13 inch brownie mix. Happy baking!
T a r a
Vanessa says
Oh my freaking word!!!! I'm gluten intolerant so I'll have to find a good gluten free brownie batter and give theses a try! I love baking and mixing things up. It's always so much for the kiddos too!
Tara says
Yes!!! Enjoy!
Leighann says
These all look so delicious! I'm a fan of the just eating by myself idea, haha! I kind of need to hope my husband doesn't see any of these, or else I'm going to be very busy baking all of them at once!
Tara says
Haha! Good luck with that. And enjoy!
Marinka says
Like where you're going with this out of the box thinking. It always a good thing to do something outside the 'norm'
Tara says
Thanks! It's a fun way to do it!
Jen says
Seriously!! I love that you put this list together for (what seems like) me!! It's funny how we see things one way, even if we are a creative thinker. I'm pinning this cause it just makes sense! I want those grasshopper brownies now, I have a box at home calling out to me!
Tara says
Ohhh great minds think alike! You'll love the grasshopper brownies.
Kenya says
I am a big cookies ???? brownies and cakes ???? fan!!!! I will definitely keep this in mind next time I make them!
Tara says
Ohhh you'll love them!
Krysten says
Oh my gosh, these are great ideas! I need to make brownies, I was thinking that today after making chocolate muffins.
Tara says
Ha that's something I'd do!
Sarah | Digital Motherhood says
wow all of those look delicious, making my mouth water just looking at the photos!
Tara says
Ahh thanks! They're pretty tasty.
Brittany Smart says
So simple to change things up all while using a box mix!
Eric says
Tried the caramel pretzel brownies today. They were very good, but i was disappointed that the butterscotch broke to pieces when we cut the brownies. Any tips to avoid this? Did you mean to list caramel instead of butterscotch in the recipe (more true to the name)? Thanks!
Pam says
Made the coffeecake brownies using 1/4 cup espresso instead of water in the mix with the Dark Chocolate Ghirardelli brownie mix. Very rich and delicious.
Candy says
I'm interested in making the Smores brownies for Christmas goody boxes but I'm not sure how to store them. Refrigerator? Freezer? Will the marshmallow topping melt when they thaw?
Anybody in the know?
Tara says
If this helps for the future, I store my baked brownies in an airtight container for a day or two. You can certainly freeze them, but the marshmallows may get a little sticky.
Mary Bench says
Where to start?! They all look divine!
Marianne says
I didn’t use this recipe but stole your idea of baking multiple different brownies. Turned out well! Also interesting discussion on box brownies. Have always wondered. Thank you.
Tara says
Hey that is great! I love inspiring creativity in any way!
Tara says
Marianne this is great! I love that you used these ideas as inspiration. Enjoy!
FHA’s Kuhn says
Is each recipe for only one square of the whole batch?
Tara Teaspoon says
Hi Morgan, Each recipe is for 1 batch of brownies. One batch of brownies (depending on your pan size and the size of your squares) will yield approximately 16 squares. I hope that helps! Tara
Krishma Patel says
These look amazing! Defo going to give this a go 😀 just a question question did you make them all in 1 tray or did they all have separate trays?
Tara Teaspoon says
Hi! I made each batch as a separate recipe. I did not mix flavors. So I'd suggest choosing one flavor at a time to try! You'll love them.
Peggy says
Made crumb cake brownies but no matter how long I baked them the brownies were gooey and raw. Had to throw away. So disappointed.
Dot Montgomery says
Another tip for cutting brownies is to use a plastic disposable knife. For some reason they work better than a steel knife.