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8 Ways to Upgrade Boxed Brownies

  • Author: Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 batch brownies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the brownie base:

  • 1 box brownie mix
  • Ingredients called for on the brownie mix box

Adding fruits:

  • 1/4 cup jam
  • 1/2 cup coarsely cut fruit pieces.

Adding thick sauces:

  • 1/3 cup of thick sauces

Adding cheesecake:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Adding cookies, candy pieces or nuts:

  • 1 cup of coarsely chopped candies, nuts, cookies or other chunky dry ingredients

Adding spices:

  • 1/4 to 1 1/2 teaspoon spice of your choice

Adding extracts:

  • 1 tsp extract

Adding espresso:

  • 1-2 tbsp espresso powder

Adding alcohol:

  • 1/2 cup wine or beer OR 1/4 spirits

Adding spreads:

  • up to 2/3 cup

Adding frosting:

  • 1 cup frosting

Instructions

  1. Make the brownie batter according to the box.
  2. Preheat the oven to the temperature identified on the box and pour the batter into a parchment paper-lined pan of your choice.
  3. Add your brownie topping of choice to the top of the batter.
  4. Bake your brownies according to the instructions on the box.
  5. Add any toppings that need to be adding after baking to the top of your brownies immediately after taking them out of the oven.

Notes

  • Please note that if you're adding a thick sauce, spread or cheesecake to your brownie, you may need to add 3-5 minutes of extra bake time to accommodate the extra ingredients.
  • Start with a high quality brownie mix to set your brownies up for success.
  • Room temperature ingredients, particularly when it comes to the brownie toppings, will incorporate into the batter more easily than cold ingredients.
  • To test your brownies for doneness, insert a toothpick into the brownies about two inches from the side. It should come out with crumbs but no liquid batter.
  • Storing frosted brownies: Brownies can be stored in an air tight container for 3-4 days.

Keywords: brownie toppings, brownie mix hacks