How to Make Dressed-Up Brownies with Any Ingredients (2024)

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By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Created May 30, 2019

How to Make Dressed-Up Brownies with Any Ingredients (1)

It’s hard to beat a gooey, indulgent brownie for an anytime sweet snack. But what if you’re craving something beyond the basics? Follow this guide to leveling up your brownies with ingredients you already have.

We don’t know many people who would turn down a brownie. Whether you like them slightly more cakey or over-the-top fudgy, a brownie is hard to beat. However, it’s completely possible to improve on an already good brownie. When you’re feeling creative or need an easy special-occasion treat, we bet your pantry holds all the ingredients you’ll need to create your own version of dressed-up brownies. Experts in the Betty Crocker Kitchens developed a basic framework for creating deluxe brownies that have all the bells and whistles.

The Framework

It’s simple to make a pan of dressed-up brownies. This framework is designed to work with lots of different ingredients, so think outside the box!

How to Make Dressed-Up Brownies with Any Ingredients (2)

  1. Mix brownie batter as directed on box; stir in 3/4 cup of selected stir-ins.
  2. Pour into 9-inch square pan and bake.
  3. Top as desired—with more of your stir-ins or a mix and match of ingredients!

The Method

Ready to put the framework into practice? Great! Gather your ingredients—the list is short and oh-so sweet!—and follow the steps below.

Ingredients:

  • Betty Crocker™ Supreme original brownie mix, plus water, vegetable oil and egg called for on box.
  • Stir-in options: Semisweet chocolate chips, white vanilla chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, toffee bits, chopped maraschino cherries, chopped cookies, chopped chocolate candy, chopped nuts and more.
  • Topping options: Semisweet chocolate chips, white vanilla chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, toffee bits, chopped maraschino cherries, chopped cookies, chopped chocolate candy, chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, sprinkles, crushed cereal, pretzels, frosting, caramel drizzle, sea salt and more.

Need-to-know tips

Want to make sure your brownies turn out perfectly, even when you’re changing things up? Follow these tips straight from the experts in the Betty Crocker Kitchens:

  • Use our recommended amount of 3/4 cup stir-ins to ensure there’s enough batter to provide structure and keep the stir-ins suspended.
  • Drain maraschino cherries well and pat dry, so there is no extra wetness in the brownie batter.
  • To test for doneness, insert a toothpick 2 inches from the side of the pan. When you pull it back out, it should have a little bit of fudginess attached—otherwise, it’s overbaked.
  • Before topping a baked brownie, be sure it is cool. Unless topping with chocolate chips or chopped cookies, which you’ll sprinkle on right after the brownie comes out of the oven to help the toppings stick. If you are frosting your brownies, they need to be cooled completely, about 1 1/2 hours, so the frosting doesn’t become too warm and melty.
  • To help chopped nuts or sprinkles stick, drizzle top of brownie with melted chocolate first.
  • The secret to cutting bars easily is lining the pan with foil. When it’s time to cut the bars, just grab the foil to lift them out of the pan, set them on a cutting board, peel away the foil and cut. This also makes cleanup extra easy!
  • Using a sharp knife helps cut through the toppings and make clean cuts. If needed, use a paper towel to wipe the blade clean between cuts.

Not ready to go it alone?

To help inspire your creativity, we developed two versions of dressed-up brownies that are full of flavor. Give these a try and then experiment with your own combinations!

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How to Make Dressed-Up Brownies with Any Ingredients (2024)

FAQs

What can you add to box brownies to make them better? ›

Fruits and Nuts

“When I make brownies or blondies, I like to add toasted nuts for extra crunch and flavor,” says culinary editor Genevieve Yam. “Any nut will do, but my favorites are pecans and walnuts.” Feel free to chop them up and mix them into the batter, or add them on top for even more visual appeal.

What happens if you use milk instead of water in brownie mix? ›

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.

How to decorate plain brownies? ›

Sprinkled chocolate chips or chopped candy look great as a brownie topping. Use a candy like M&M's to give your brownies a pop of color. Alternatively, add licorice or candy corn for a fun decorative look.

What happens when you add an extra egg to brownie mix? ›

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.

What should I put on top of my brownies? ›

Chocolate chips or pieces of chocolate

Chocolate chips are a classic topping for brownies while adding pieces of chopped chocolate can give a different melted sensation. For chocolate chips, opt for Embassy Torres Chocolate Chips 51%, which keeps its shape during baking and has an intense chocolate taste.

What not to do when making brownies? ›

To make the best brownies, it's essential to avoid making some common mistakes.
  1. Using the wrong recipe for the texture you desire. ...
  2. Omitting complementary ingredients. ...
  3. Not adding enough moisture. ...
  4. Overmixing the batter. ...
  5. Using oil as the primary fat. ...
  6. Using the wrong type of sugar for shiny brownies. ...
  7. Forgetting the shiny top.
Feb 5, 2023

Can I use butter instead of oil in brownies? ›

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!

What does adding coffee to brownies do? ›

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.

What is the best oil to make brownies with? ›

Most brownie recipes call for some kind of oil — usually vegetable oil or canola oil. This oil acts as the primary fat in brownie batter, giving it that delicious, fudgy texture we all know and love.

Can I add coffee instead of water to brownie mix? ›

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.

What can I add to brownies to make them better? ›

Stir in semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, and shards off the block for a chocolate brownie that's even more chocolaty. If you have leftover holiday treats, crumble in candy bars, peppermints, chopped candied ginger, or crushed cookies.

Should you cover brownies while baking? ›

If you think your brownies are baking too quickly, cover them with a layer of foil to help reflect some heat away.

How do you upgrade a box of brownies? ›

Here's what you need to make box brownies taste homemade:
  1. Butter – Boxed brownie mix typically calls for vegetable oil. ...
  2. Espresso powder – Intensifies the chocolate flavor. ...
  3. Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract adds rich flavor to brownies.
  4. Eggs – Most brownie mixes call for one whole egg.
Aug 23, 2023

How do you package brownies nicely? ›

Don't hesitate to pack each brownie you sell individually. You can use small and clear cellophane bags to do that. Another option is to use mini boxes, which may cost you a bit more (but will bring better results). It is one of the brownie packaging ideas that demands more time and patience.

How do you decorate a brownie tray? ›

Use a homemade template or a real leaf

Then place your leaf or smaller leaves on top and dust the pan using this tool or a mesh strainer with powdered sugar. If you really wanted to get fancy, make a salted caramel sauce to drizzle on top as you are ready to serve! So easy, but so good!

What should I cover brownies with? ›

Store brownies at room temperature by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or by placing them in an airtight container, such as a lidded tray or Tupperware container. This will prevent your brownies from going stale and keep possible contaminants out.

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