Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Take your boxed brownie mix to the next level!

Boxed brownie mix is the one baking mix that is almost as good as making it from scratch. It’s a quick way to have a delicious snack or dessert. Here are a few ad-ins that you probably have in your pantry right now that will take it up a notch and make them taste truly homemade. 

Fruit and nuts are great additions. Nuts can be salted, candied or regular. Toast non-roasted nuts in a dry pan until they are fragrant, but be careful as nuts can burn quickly. Add into the mix or arrange on top before baking. Candied fruit like ginger, orange peel, or pineapple add sweetness and chewiness. Coat fresh or preserved fruit in flour before adding to the mix. This will prevent the fruit from sinking to the bottom. 

Spices can add a flavor boost too. Chile powder, cinnamon, and cardamom all pair well with chocolate. Add a small amount, say ½ a teaspoon at first. You can adjust to your liking. Salted sweets are popular now. Top your batter with a flaky sea salt like Maldon for a salty punch and texture. Making kid brownies? Add sprinkles in the batter and on top. 

Marbling with different flavors is delicious. You can use pistachio, or other nut butters. You can use tahini or even jam. Caramel is great for marbling too, salted or plain. Just add several spoons full on top and swirl around using a skewer or chopstick. 

Other additions include flavor enhancers like malted milk powder. This really is an umami bomb for sweet baking. It adds an almost butterscotch flavor. A bit of high-quality vanilla extract always brings up the flavor of baked goods. You can also make boozy brownies. Add a splash of dark liquor like bourbon or dark rum to round out the flavor of your boxed brownies. 

Let me know if you try any of these the next time you make boxed brownies. I know I will! I’m thinking bourbon spiked salted caramel!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago