Everyone loves a warm, gooey brownie, but sometimes your favorite box mix needs a little boost to reach its potential. Whether you’re looking to intensify the chocolate flavor, add a crunch, or put a creative spin on this comforting dessert, there are plenty of hacks, substitutions and additions that will elevate your brownies from good to great.
One of the easiest ways to improve a brownie mix is by increasing the fat content. Water is often used in brownies, but substituting it for milk or even heavy cream will make them more fudgy. You can also try using butter, which will give your brownies a richer, more decadent flavor. In addition to adding more fat, you can also experiment with using different types of chocolate. Dark, milk and white chocolate all work well in brownies, but you can also use specialty chocolate morsels, like peanut butter or peppermint, to create a more unique flavor.
Another simple way to upgrade a brownie is to add in extra ingredients that will enhance the flavors and texture. Adding in some chopped up nuts, a handful of mini pretzels, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce can make the brownies more interesting and add a nice textural contrast to the chewy batter. A dash of vanilla extract can also help bring out the sweetness in the brownies and add a bit of depth to their flavor.
Increasing the amount of sugar in your brownies will help them become more cakey, and adding a little bit of salt can balance out the sweetness. Adding some baking soda to the batter will also help with the consistency, and a touch of cocoa powder can provide a more intense chocolate flavor. In addition, you can also try experimenting with other extracts, such as orange or peppermint, to give the brownies a new flavor.
Once the brownies are baked, they should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They can be kept for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, they can be frozen. To freeze them, wrap them in a layer of plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. The brownies can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for 30 minutes before serving.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can try making your own buttercream frosting to spread on top of your brownies. This can be made by whipping together 1/2 cup softened butter with 2 cups of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought icing or whip up a batch of your own from scratch with other ingredients, such as drops of cookie dough, swirls of cheesecake batter, or chunks of your favorite candy.
The final step is to serve the brownies! Enjoy them by themselves or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. They are also delicious when topped with a sprinkling of powdered sugar, whipped cream and a few pieces of your favorite chocolate. brownie box
