Easy Peppermint Brownies Recipe {with box mix} | The Food Cafe (2024)

FAQs

What to add to boxed brownies to make them better? ›

Box Mix Brownie Hacks

If the mix includes chocolate, add at least 1/2 cup (85 g) chocolate chips for richer brownies. Add nuts – Add a handful of finely chopped pecans or walnuts if you love brownies with nuts.

If you want to get a little more creative with your brownie mix hacks, add an extra egg to the batter. The extra protein will help thicken up the batter and make it fluffier, creating a more decadent, fudgy texture. You can also add the yolk by itself in addition to the 2 eggs a box brownie mix typically calls for.

Adding coffee to your brownies boosts their flavor because its bitter quality balances out sweetness, making it less overpowering. It allows that delicious chocolate flavor to really shine. You can also switch out the water called for in the batter with brewed coffee.

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. Throw in a handful of nuts—pecans, walnuts, macadamia, whatever you have on hand. Scoop in a palmful of dried or frozen fruit. Add an extra splash of the top-shelf vanilla extract, or a dab of vanilla paste, or a dash of vanilla powder, to the batter.

To upgrade boxed brownies, I'd switch my baking vessel or add some extracts to the batter. You can also throw in salty snacks, extra chocolate, peanut butter, or coffee.

Is it okay to make brownies without eggs? Without eggs, baked goods will become a little thinner and not rise as much in the oven. As long as you replace the moisture from the egg with milk, banana or applesauce, you can make brownies without eggs. And yes, this recipe makes thinner brownies than normal.

They give brownies a lighter, drier, and more cake-like texture. If you prefer this over the chewy variety, then go ahead and crack in that additional egg. On the other hand, too many eggs will yield brownies that are hard, heavy, and tough.

You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!

The indispensable extract brings fragrance and warmth to any bake, working behind the scenes to enhance the flavor of milk, sugar, and, yes, even dark chocolate.

What does refrigerating brownies do? ›

Storing Brownies in the Refrigerator

Storing brownies in the fridge can keep them fresh for up to two weeks. For the best storage method, wrap each brownie tightly before placing it in the fridge. Because baked goods are porous, they tend to absorb the odors and flavors of the foods around them.

If you already have a favorite brownie recipe, try adding one to two tablespoons of instant espresso in with the wet ingredients. If you're making brownies from a boxed mix, you can substitute brewed coffee for the water, or simply add espresso powder in with the dry ingredients.

Store–bought brownie mix easily comes together with water, oil, and an egg. What exactly does the egg do? It binds, emulsifies, and adds richness and density.

Oil – While many recipes for brownies use unsalted butter, Michelle's calls for canola oil, just like the boxed mix. I use olive oil because it's what I keep on hand, and I love the rich flavor. Vanilla Extract – 1/2 teaspoon vanilla really amps up the chocolate flavor.

Melted, unsalted butter is the perfect substitute for oil, and can even add a richer flavor to baked recipes. Swap in butter for oil in a 1:1 ratio, melting butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Vegan butter or ghee can also work in this instance.

You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!

Is it okay to make brownies without eggs? Without eggs, baked goods will become a little thinner and not rise as much in the oven. As long as you replace the moisture from the egg with milk, banana or applesauce, you can make brownies without eggs. And yes, this recipe makes thinner brownies than normal.

Using airtight wrappings (including using plastic wrap right against the brownies) is key to keeping your brownies fresh, whether you're keeping them at room temperature for short-term storage, or planning to freeze them so you can have a fresh brownie ready whenever you need it.