I’ve never met somebody who didn’t like a good brownie! Rich and decadent, with a strong chocolate taste.
I have several fantastic brownie recipes, but there are times when I am just too busy to gather the ingredients and make the batter.
And then there are those days when my family wants brownies but I’m lacking a critical ingredient, such as cocoa powder.
This is when a boxed brownie mix comes in handy.
But how can you make box brownies moist and chewy enough to taste as good as your favorite recipe?
Here are a few things you can do to make sure no one knows you used a brownie mix (and don’t forget to check out these 16 extra methods to enhance your brownies!).
Contents
- How to Make Box Brownies Moist
- How to Make Box Brownies Chewy
- Adding to the Mix for Moist and Chewy Brownies
- FAQs
- What are the secrets to chewy brownies?
- How do you keep brownies soft and chewy?
- How do you make brownies softer?
- Is milk or water better for box brownies?
- What is the key to fudgy brownies?
- Are brownies better with butter or oil?
- Why are my brownies not chewy?
- What makes a brownie chewy vs cakey?
- How do you keep brownies moist and fresh?
- How do you add moisture to brownies?
How to Make Box Brownies Moist
Moist brownies are much superior than cakey brownies (although you can easily create cakey brownies if you like). However, packaged brownies aren’t always as moist as you’d want.
When thats the case, try these tips:
1 – Don’t Overmix the Batter
Don’t overmix the brownie batter after adding the egg, oil, and water. The denser the batter, the moister the brownies will be.
I always follow this guideline while making brownies, whether from a recipe or from a box: Wet ingredients on top of the dry components, mix only to moisten and integrate the ingredients.
2 – Use the Right Size Pan
To make box brownies moist, make sure you have the correct size pan. If the recipe asks for an 88-inch pan, do not use a different size.
If you bake brownies in a too-small pan, the batter will be excessively thick in the pan and will not be evenly distributed. This may result in clumpy, underbaked brownies.
Baking in a too large pan can spread the batter too thinly. As a consequence, brownies may bake too rapidly, becoming too dry.
3 – Use the Right Type of Pan
Boxed brownie mixes, like homemade brownies, may be picky when it comes to the pan theyre cooked in. Brownies taste best when baked in glass or light metal pans.
Baking in dark, heavy metal pans may sometimes result in a quicker cooking time, resulting in dry brownies to offer to your family and friends.
Finally, a word about pan size. When putting the batter into the pan, distribute it evenly and all the way to the corners. This ensures that your brownies bake evenly and remain moist, whether it’s a corner or a centre slice!
4 – Bake at the Right Temperature
Boxed brownies must be cooked at the correct temperature. Even a few degrees change in oven temperature may make a major difference in a moist, dry, or overly gooey brownie.
Purchase a decent oven thermometer (link to Amazon) to ensure that the inside temperature of your oven matches the setting you set on the dial. Otherwise, you could assume you’re baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes when your oven is really set to a higher temperature.
This higher temperature will overbake your brownies, making them dry and crumbly.
Because oven thermometers are quite inexpensive, it’s difficult to argue against keeping one on hand. I definitely suggest keeping one on hand if you bake on a daily basis.
5 – Never Ever Over Bake Brownies
Never overbake packaged brownies. This is one of my top suggestions for keeping them moist. It is considerably preferable to have undercooked brownies than overdone brownies.
Even if you set the timer, you should begin monitoring your brownies at the 20-minute point. Gently push the brownies in the middle of the pan with your finger to check how hard they are, and then use a cake tester to determine how moist the batter is.
Your brownies will not be cooked yet, but you will have a decent sense of how to judge doneness when you check them again in 5 to 8 minutes.
For the optimal bake, check your brownies every 5 minutes. What exactly are you searching for? A solid but yet soft core, as well as a cake tester with moist crumbs stuck to it.
These are the telltale indicators that your boxed brownies are moist.
How to Make Box Brownies Chewy
My family enjoys a deliciously chewy brownie. When I use a boxed brownie mix, here are some of the techniques I use to ensure that they come out of the oven nice and chewy:
1 – Reduce the Egg
The majority of packaged brownie mixes ask for two eggs. Reduce this to one egg for thicker and chewier brownies.
Make them without the eggs if you like!
2 – Use Yolk Only
Another trick for getting your packaged brownies to come up smooth and chewy is to use two egg yolks instead of one. Egg yolks may provide a richness to the batter that contributes to the chewy texture of brownies.
3 – Use Melted Butter
To produce a richer and chewier brownie, replace the oil in the boxed brownie recipe with melted unsalted butter. Simply melt the butter and substitute it for the oil to make a thick and chewy brownie.
4 – Under Bake
If the previous box brownies you cooked did not provide the chewy brownie you desired, consider underbaking them slightly.
It should only take five minutes to protect your brownie from overbaking and lose its chewiness.
Adding to the Mix for Moist and Chewy Brownies
Box brownie mixes are handy and inexpensive to purchase. I have some on hand at all times so that I may surprise my family with this baked delicacy at any time.
To make them even more distinctive, I often add extra things to the mix before baking. Adding these additional ingredients may also make box brownies chewy and moist.
Extra Chocolatey Brownies
To the dry mix, add an additional 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (or an alternative). This adds even more chocolate flavor to your brownies.
You may need to experiment with this to avoid having dry brownies. To keep the batter wet, add a tablespoon or two of milk.
Coffee Mocha Brownies
Instead of water, use brewed coffee for a distinct taste that also highlights the richness of the chocolate in the boxed mix.
If you don’t have any brewed coffee on hand, instant espresso powder will suffice.
Add Something Special
Brownie batter, whether from a box or from home, calls for something unique to be added to the mix. Among the particular elements I’ve included are:
- cup of coconut flakes
- cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- cup milk, dark, or white
chocolate chips
Brownies are one of the simplest desserts to make. Making box brownies simplifies things even further! The trick is to achieve the ideal moist and chewy brownie out of a box.
With these easy instructions, you’ll be preparing the most delectable boxed brownies your family has ever eaten!
FAQs
What are the secrets to chewy brownies?
While butter is the sole fat used in fudgy and cakey brownies, canola oil is utilized in chewy brownies (which is also why this recipe may remind you of boxed mixes). Brown sugar is also essential because it accelerates gluten synthesis, giving in a chewier texture.
How do you keep brownies soft and chewy?
For optimal results, place brownies in an airtight container with parchment paper. When keeping brownies in an airtight container, include a piece of bread. The moisture from the bread will keep your brownies fresh and soft for a few days longer.
How do you make brownies softer?
Using a few pieces of white bread to soften brownies is a tried and proven approach. Cut the brownies into squares and store them in an airtight container, such as Tupperware. Place the bread pieces on top of the brownies and place the container in the refrigerator overnight.
Is milk or water better for box brownies?
Keeping with the richer taste trend, using milk instead of water is a definite must. The fat from the milk gives taste and a fudgy texture that water cannot. Instead of water or milk, use one of your favorite flavored coffee creamers to add even more flavor.
What is the key to fudgy brownies?
Cakey brownies have a lower fat-to-flour ratio than fudgy brownies. So, in this situation, butter and chocolate, add extra fat. A cakey batch has extra flour and is leavened with baking powder. The quantity of sugar and eggs is the same whether you want it fudgy or cakey.
Are brownies better with butter or oil?
Yes, you may substitute butter for oil in brownies. It may be prepared using oil, butter, or a mix of the two. However, butter works much better since it enhances the flavor of the brownies and prevents them from tasting greasy. One of the most pleasurable kitchen hobbies is making brownies.
Why are my brownies not chewy?
Brown sugar’s molasses concentration is responsible for chewy but soft brownies. If you don’t like chewy brownies, leave off the brown sugar entirely. If you want chewy brownies and your recipe doesn’t call for it, add 3-4 tbsp brown sugar at the end for delightfully chewy brownies!
What makes a brownie chewy vs cakey?
Baking soda and baking powder aid to raise the brownies and provide that cakey texture. By adding one additional egg, the brownie’s texture changes from chewy to cakey. Adding a little extra flour also helped remove some of the moistness from the dish.
How do you keep brownies moist and fresh?
Wrap brownies snugly in plastic wrap or foil and store them at room temperature in an airtight container, such as a covered tray or Tupperware container. This will keep your brownies fresh and keep any pollutants out.
How do you add moisture to brownies?
Canola Oil and Eggs – Because brownie mixes often ask for oil and eggs, these are two common components for boxed brownies. Both offer moisture and aid in the creation of a fudgy brownie.