How To Make Box Brownies Fudgy?

Craving something sweet and indulgent, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? Enter the humble box of brownie mix – a staple in many households and the perfect solution for satisfying those chocolate cravings. 

But why settle for ordinary, cake-like brownies when you can transform them into fudgy, decadent treats? If you’re a dessert lover with a penchant for gooey, chocolatey goodness, then you’re in for a treat.

In this article, we’ll share some tips and tricks on how to make box brownies fudgy, so you can impress your friends and family with your baking prowess and indulge in a chocolatey delight that’s truly irresistible. 

Get ready to take your brownie game to the next level!

How To Make Fudgy Brownies From A Box Mix?

Are you craving for some truly decadent fudge brownies from a box mix? Well, here’s a little secret: you can achieve that without any hassle. 

You just need to make a couple of simple adjustments to the recipe, and voila! Your taste buds are in for a treat.

Let’s start with the eggs. Most box mixes require three eggs, which can result in brownies that rise higher and have a cake-like texture. 

However, using only two eggs will do the trick if you’re looking for dense and fudgy brownies. Don’t worry, it won’t take any longer to stir up your brownie batter, and the results will be phenomenal.

Instead of using oil, switch to melted butter. This will add a rich flavor to your brownies and contribute to the fudgy texture you’re after.

Now, let’s talk about the baking pan. While the box mix may suggest using a 9×13 pan, consider using a 9×9 pan instead. This will give your brownies a taller, more professional look that’s sure to impress. 

Don’t worry about not having enough to share, though – this recipe is so rich that you’ll still get 16 brownies from a 9×9 pan. 

If you need even more, try doubling the recipe and baking it on an 11×17 high-sided baking sheet, such as a jelly roll or half sheet pan.

To achieve the perfect texture for your brownies, pay attention to this important tip: do not overbake them! 

It should come out mostly clean when you insert a toothpick near the center of the brownies when they are completely fudgy. There is nothing wrong with a few crumbs – in fact, you should welcome them!

It’s also important to note that different types of pans can affect the cooking time and temperature of your brownies. 

While metal pans are typically the best choice for even cooking, using a glass pan or insulated baking sheet may require a few more minutes of cook time.

To ensure the best results, use the cooking time as a guide and check a few minutes early.

If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll want to try adding semi-sweet chocolate chips to your brownie batter. This will give your brownies an extra chocolatey kick that is sure to satisfy your cravings. 

Make your baked brownies even richer and fudgier by topping them with a simple fudge frosting!

But before you serve your delicious creation, remember this golden rule: let them cool completely! As a matter of fact, most brownies taste better the day after they are baked. 

This is because we take them out of the oven when they’re just set, and they need at least 4-6 hours to fully set up and achieve the fudgy texture we’re after. 

Can’t resist the temptation to taste them earlier? That’s okay too but trust us – they’ll taste even better if you wait!

One last note: For easy removal and clean slicing, consider lining your 9×9 pan with parchment paper before pouring in the brownie batter.

After the brownies have completely cooled, use the paper to lift them out of the pan and onto a cutting board. For best results, use a long sharp knife or a large pizza cutter to slice the brownies into perfect squares.

If you’re worried about the brownies sticking to the knife, a plastic knife can also work wonders. With this simple trick, your brownies will look and taste like they came straight from a professional bakery.

How We Tested The Box Brownie Fudgy Hacks?

The Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix was selected as the subject of our experiment. One batch was prepared according to the box’s instructions.

For the other three batches, we tried out different hacks we found online, which we’ll share with you shortly.

Since most box brownie mixes require three additional ingredients – water, oil, and egg – we decided to focus on one hack for each of these ingredients to see how they would affect the final product.

With our experiment underway, we were excited to see which hack would reign supreme!

To establish a baseline, we added half a cup of semisweet chocolate chips to all four brownie batches – one tablespoon on top, and the rest mixed into the batter.

We believe that pockets of molten chocolate are a must-have in any fudgy brownie recipe!

After baking, we served all four types of brownies to a panel of ten people without revealing which hack we used for each batch.

We asked them to provide tasting notes and pick their favorites based on overall fudginess and taste. With our taste-testers eagerly waiting, we couldn’t wait to see which batch would come out on top.

1. Using Two Egg Yolks Instead Of A Whole Egg

Reason for Recommendation: An egg’s yolk contains almost all its fat content. Thus, incorporating an extra yolk into your brownie mix may lead to a more fudgy texture.

Outcome: This method resulted in dense and chewy brownies, providing a satisfying texture for those who prefer a heartier brownie. If you’re searching for a brownie that you can truly sink your teeth into, this hack is worth a try.

2. Using Melted Butter Instead Of Oil

Why It’s Recommended: If you’re looking for a healthier option, butter has fewer grams of fat compared to vegetable oil (184 versus 224 grams per cup). However, butter offers a richer and more flavorful taste.

If you’re making fudgy brownies, you don’t have to worry about aerating the butter when it’s melted. Aerating can create little pockets of air that are excellent for cakes but not desirable in brownies.

The Final Verdict: The brownies that were made with butter baked the most evenly. There were no doming or deflating issues, which is a significant plus.

In terms of taste, these brownies were the most similar to brownie batter, making them a top favorite among reviewers. The butter gave them a more prominent sweet-to-salty ratio, adding to their overall appeal.

3. Using Milk Instead Of Water

Why It’s Recommended: According to the wise words of Martha Stewart, if you want to make your brownies more fudgy, you’ll need a higher fat-to-flour ratio. One easy way to achieve this is by using milk instead of water.

A third of a cup of milk contains approximately 2.8 grams of fat, whereas water contains none.

Final Outcome: For those who don’t binge on an entire pan of brownies in a day (we know some of you are out there!), this trick is perfect.

By using milk instead of water, you can achieve an almost creamy, gooey texture with crispy edges, and these brownies won’t dry out as fast as others. This hack is a great way to enjoy delicious and moist brownies for a longer period of time.

The Winner

The taste-testers’ overall favorite hack was the melted butter, which not only gave the brownies a fudgier texture but also added depth to the flavor.

However, by the third day, the milk-based brownies were the preferred choice due to their gooeyness. This led us to wonder: why not combine all three hacks for the ultimate fudgy brownies?

While this is certainly an option, we opted to stick to one hack to avoid any health concerns, especially after seeing the grease stains left on the paper post-tasting.

But, if you’re feeling adventurous, don’t let us stop you from living your best, fudgiest life!

More Brownie Hacks

While we adore these fudgy brownies just as they are, you can easily take them to the next level with a few hacks! Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

• Cheesecake Brownies: Swirl in a cream cheese batter to make mouthwatering cheesecake brownies. The tanginess of cream cheese combined with the richness of chocolate makes for an unforgettable treat.
• Mix-Ins: Get creative and stir in your favorite brownie additions, such as chopped almonds, peanuts, marshmallows, or even chopped-up candies or candy bars. This is a perfect opportunity to personalize your brownies and add a unique touch to this classic dessert.
• Candy-Filled Brownies: Layer whole peanut butter cups or peppermint patties over half of the batter, pour remaining batter on top, and bake to create delicious candy-filled brownies.
• Flavored Brownies: Add an extra flavor boost with peppermint or vanilla extracts. For a mild peppermint flavor, use half a teaspoon; for a richer vanilla taste, use a full teaspoon.
• Toppings Galore: Instead of frosting, try spreading some Nutella or peanut butter on top of the warm brownies. And, if you really want to go all out, add a scoop of ice cream on top for a decadent dessert that’s sure to impress.

Final Words

Remember that cooking time for brownies can vary depending on factors like your oven temperature and the type of pan you use. 

While the suggested time can be a helpful guide, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your brownies and make adjustments as needed. 

After all, no one wants to end up with burnt or undercooked brownies! So be sure to watch them closely and use your judgment to achieve that perfect fudgy texture.