Decadent & Easy Cake Mix Brownies: Your Go-To 5-Ingredient Fudgy Treat
Craving rich, fudgy brownies but short on time? Look no further! These incredible cake mix brownies come together with just 5 simple ingredients and a quick stir, making them the ultimate effortless dessert. They’re a fantastic way to transform a humble box of cake mix from your pantry into a gloriously gooey, chocolatey masterpiece that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Get ready for a dessert that’s unbelievably easy to make, yet tastes like it came straight from a gourmet bakery!
Why These Easy Cake Mix Brownies Will Be Your New Favorite
While we cherish the classic, from-scratch fudge brownie, there are moments when measuring out flour, cocoa powder, and sugar feels like more effort than you’re willing to commit, especially when an intense brownie craving strikes. This is precisely where cake mix brownies shine as a brilliant culinary hack!
You might wonder why bother with cake mix when a box of brownie mix exists. The answer is simple: convenience and a surprisingly superior fudgy texture. If you have a box of chocolate cake mix taking up space in your pantry, this recipe is your golden ticket to transforming it into something truly special. These brownies are ridiculously easy to make, requiring only five core ingredients: a box of chocolate cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and a generous helping of dark chocolate chips to elevate the richness. The magic lies in the cake mix itself, which already contains a perfectly balanced blend of dry ingredients, saving you valuable time and ensuring a consistent, delicious result every single time. Plus, the specific combination of oil and cake mix often yields a fudgier brownie than many standard brownie mixes, making them irresistible.
Simple Ingredients for Perfect Cake Mix Brownies
Gathering your ingredients for these easy fudgy brownies is a breeze. You’ll find all the precise measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located at the very end of this comprehensive guide. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to whip up this amazing dessert:
Ingredient Details & Smart Substitutions
Understanding each ingredient helps ensure perfect results and allows for creative twists!
CAKE MIX – For this recipe, we achieved phenomenal results with a standard-size (typically 15.25 ounces) chocolate fudge cake mix. This specific type of cake mix delivers a deep, rich chocolate flavor and contributes significantly to the fudgy texture of the brownies. When selecting your cake mix, we highly recommend choosing one that calls for oil rather than butter in its original cake instructions. Cake mixes formulated for oil tend to yield a much fudgier brownie, as oil contributes more moisture and richness than butter in this specific application. While chocolate fudge is our top recommendation for the ultimate fudgy experience, you can experiment with other chocolate varieties like Devil’s Food or even dark chocolate cake mix for an extra intense flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try a yellow or white cake mix and add a few tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to transform it into a lighter chocolate brownie, or keep it vanilla for a blondie-like treat!
EGGS – Large eggs are essential for binding the ingredients together, adding structure, and contributing to the overall richness and chewiness of the brownies. They help create that signature brownie texture that holds up well after baking.
VEGETABLE OIL – This is a key player in achieving a truly fudgy brownie. Vegetable oil provides consistent moisture and helps create a dense, chewy texture that butter often can’t match in this quick-mix method. You can substitute with other neutral-flavored oils like canola oil or even a light olive oil, but avoid strong-flavored oils that could overpower the chocolate. The amount specified is crucial for the right consistency and fudginess.
VANILLA EXTRACT – Pure vanilla extract is a non-negotiable flavor enhancer in almost any baked good, and brownies are no exception. It beautifully complements and deepens the chocolate flavor, adding a layer of warmth and complexity that would be sorely missed without it. Always opt for pure vanilla extract over imitation for the best taste.
CHOCOLATE CHIPS – We adore the intense richness that dark chocolate chips bring to these brownies, creating a luxurious and deeply satisfying chocolate experience. However, this is also a fantastic opportunity to customize your brownies! If dark chocolate isn’t your preference, feel free to substitute with semi-sweet chocolate chips for a milder sweetness, or milk chocolate chips for a creamier, sweeter profile. For an exciting twist, consider adding white chocolate chips for a visual contrast and different flavor note, or peanut butter chips for a delightful peanut butter and chocolate combination. Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans are also a popular addition and can be mixed in or sprinkled on top for extra crunch.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Easy Cake Mix Brownies
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this incredibly simple recipe. For your convenience, you can easily Jump to Recipe to get the full printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, located at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Ensure you leave an excess overhang of parchment paper on two sides; these will serve as convenient handles to easily lift the brownies out of the pan once they’re baked and cooled. This simple step makes removal and cutting a breeze!
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the two large eggs, ⅓ cup of vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously for about 30-60 seconds until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and slightly frothy. This creates a homogeneous liquid base for your brownie batter.
- Incorporate Dry Mix: Add the entire contents of your 15.25-ounce box of dry chocolate cake mix to the wet ingredients in the bowl. Using a sturdy rubber spatula or a strong wooden spoon, stir the mixture until just combined. The batter will be exceptionally thick and stiff, almost like a cookie dough consistency, so don’t be alarmed! Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tougher brownies. Stir until no dry streaks of cake mix remain.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Before adding all the chocolate chips, reserve about a handful (approximately ¼ cup) to sprinkle over the top of the brownies later. Stir the remaining dark chocolate chips into the thick batter until they are evenly distributed. This ensures every bite is packed with delicious chocolatey goodness.
- Press into Pan: Scoop the incredibly thick batter into your prepared 8×8 inch pan. Because of its dense consistency, the batter won’t spread easily on its own. To achieve an even layer, lightly spray your hands with cooking spray (or dampen them with water) and gently press the batter evenly into the pan, ensuring it reaches all corners. Finally, sprinkle the reserved handful of chocolate chips over the top of the batter. This adds a beautiful visual appeal and extra pockets of melted chocolate.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 19-21 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter, but also not completely clean (which would indicate overbaking). The edges should look set, and the center may still have a slight wobble.
- Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire cooling rack. Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. This initial cooling period helps them set and become fudgier. After 20 minutes, carefully lift the brownies from the pan using the parchment paper handles and transfer them to the wire rack to cool completely. This is a crucial step for achieving clean cuts and the perfect fudgy texture. Resist the urge to cut into them while warm, as they will be crumbly and difficult to slice cleanly.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Brownie Success
Absolutely! Adding nuts is a fantastic way to introduce a pleasant crunch and earthy flavor to your brownies. You can add chopped walnuts, pecans, or even almonds on top before baking, or mix them directly into the batter along with the chocolate chips. Treat these cake mix brownies just as you would a batch of homemade brownie batter – they are incredibly versatile!
Proper storage is key to maintaining the delicious fudginess of your brownies. Once completely cooled, store the brownies in an air-tight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and wonderfully fudgy for up to 5 days. For best results, ensure the container is tightly sealed with a lid; this prevents them from drying out and becoming hard or crumbly.
While chocolate fudge cake mix is recommended for the fudgiest and richest results, you can certainly experiment! A Devil’s Food cake mix will give a similar deep chocolate flavor. If you want to make blondie-style brownies, a yellow or vanilla cake mix works beautifully. For a different chocolate profile using a non-chocolate cake mix, you might need to add 2-3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry mix for added chocolate depth.
Brownies are notorious for being tricky to gauge! For fudgy brownies, look for edges that appear set and slightly pulled away from the pan, while the center still looks a bit soft and may have a slight wobble. Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter, but also not completely clean (which indicates overbaking and a cakier brownie). Remember, brownies continue to set as they cool, so slightly underbaked is better for fudginess.
There are a few common culprits for dry or cakey brownies. The most frequent issue is overbaking. Keep a close eye on the baking time and rely on the toothpick test described above. Another factor could be the type of cake mix used; mixes that call for butter in their original cake recipe sometimes yield a less fudgy brownie when adapted this way. Lastly, ensuring accurate measurements of oil and eggs is vital for the right moisture content.
Yes, this recipe doubles beautifully! If you want to make a larger batch, simply double all the ingredients. You will need a larger baking pan, typically a 9×13 inch pan. The baking time will also increase slightly, usually to about 25-30 minutes, but still perform the toothpick test to ensure they are perfectly baked.
Serving Suggestions for Your Decadent Brownies
These incredibly rich and fudgy cake mix brownies are delicious enough to enjoy entirely on their own, but a few simple additions can elevate them into an even more indulgent dessert experience. A classic pairing is a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, allowing the cold, smooth dairy to perfectly contrast with the warm, dense chocolate. For an extra touch of decadence, drizzle with warm chocolate fudge sauce, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to enhance the chocolate’s depth.
Fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries also offer a refreshing counterpoint to the sweetness. And, of course, a tall, cold glass of milk is always a welcome accompaniment to any brownie! Remember, for the cleanest, most perfect slices, it’s essential to wait until the brownies are completely cooled before cutting into them. Patience is key for picture-perfect fudgy squares. Enjoy every delightful bite!
More Fantastic Cake Mix Recipes to Try
If you loved the simplicity and deliciousness of these cake mix brownies, you’re in for a treat! Cake mix is a versatile pantry staple that can be used for so much more than just cakes. Explore these other incredibly easy and delightful recipes that start with a box of cake mix:
- Effortless Cake Mix Donuts
- Simple Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- Chewy Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
- Irresistible Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies
- Quick & Easy Cake Mix Waffles
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Cake Mix Brownies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 15.25 ounce box of chocolate cake mix dry mix only, we used chocolate fudge
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Things You’ll Need
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8×8 baking pan
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Rubber spatula
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Wire cooling racks
Before You Begin
- We opted for a standard-size (15.25 ounce) chocolate fudge cake mix. For optimal fudginess, we strongly recommend sticking to cake mixes that call for oil as opposed to butter.
- The richness of dark chocolate chips enhances these brownies, but feel free to substitute with semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even chopped nuts for a different flavor profile.
- To keep your brownies fresh and irresistibly fudgy, store them in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Ensure the container is well-sealed to prevent them from drying out.
- For clean and perfect slices, always allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Line an 8×8 metal pan with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the sides for handles.
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In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, and vanilla.
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Add dry cake mix and stir to combine using a sturdy rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Mixture will be very thick.
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Reserve one handful of the chocolate chips to sprinkle on top. Stir the remaining chocolate chips into the batter.
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Scoop batter into lined pan. Spray your hands with cooking spray and press the batter into the pan until even. Sprinkle with reserved chocolate chips.
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Bake in preheated oven for 19-21 minutes.
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Cool in pan on a cooling rack for 20 minutes. Lift the brownies from the pan using parchment paper handles and place on rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.