Easy Peppermint Brownies Recipe {with box mix} | The Food Cafe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to boxed brownie mix to make it better? ›

When the back-of-box instructions call for water, try some instant espresso or strong-brewed coffee for roasty, toasty notes that pair impeccably with chocolate. Or use milk or half-and-half for even more richness. And for cakey instead of fudgy brownies, add an extra egg for more lift and spring.

Spices and salts can really transform the overall flavor of a brownie. Chile powder is famous for pairing well with chocolate, so you can start by adding a small amount—about 1/2 teaspoon—and adjusting to your liking. Cinnamon and cardamom are also excellent pairings (and known friends of chocolate!).

The first and easiest upgrade you can give to your boxed brownie mix is to add a tablespoon of instant coffee to the batter. Adding coffee to your brownies boosts their flavor because its bitter quality balances out sweetness, making it less overpowering. It allows that delicious chocolate flavor to really shine.

Betty Crocker™ Supreme original brownie mix, plus water, vegetable oil and egg called for on box. Stir-in options: Semisweet chocolate chips, white vanilla chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, toffee bits, chopped maraschino cherries, chopped cookies, chopped chocolate candy, chopped nuts and more.

If you opt to add more eggs, say double the amount, something interesting happens. Even though you are adding more moisture, the air bubbles that you catch in the extra eggs add volume, which decreases the density of your final product. This makes your brownies rise and gives them a much more cake-like texture.

Brownie recipes traditionally call for water as it serves as a neutral liquid that hydrates the dry ingredients. However, using milk instead of water can impart a creamier texture and richer flavor to your brownies. The milk's fat content adds a smoothness that water cannot provide, resulting in a more indulgent treat.

Though making brownie batter in advance is possible, it has to be done in a specific way to prevent spoiling. Because most brownie recipes call for eggs, the batter shouldn't sit out for longer than two hours before baking.

You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!

Swap an equal amount of butter for the oil called for on the box's recipe to take your brownies from good to wow. The difference between the two ingredients is that oil really doesn't add much when it comes to flavor, while butter will make your brownies richer and denser.

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

Can I use instant coffee instead of cocoa powder in brownies? ›

While you can add a small amount of instant coffee or espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor of your brownies, it should not be used as a direct replacement for cocoa powder. Coffee has a distinct flavor that can make your brownies taste bitter and less like traditional chocolate brownies.

It couldn't be easier to substitute butter for oil using a 1:1 ratio. This should work with olive, canola, vegetable, and coconut oils. Simply melt and cool the butter to room temperature, then continue with your recipe. (If the recipe calls for ½ cup oil, use ½ cup melted and cooled butter.)

If you like chewy, sticky brownies, I recommend: Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix. If you like light, less dense brownies with a picture-perfect sugar top that flakes when sliced, I recommend: Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix.

Add coffee or instant espresso powder to your brownies for an even deeper, more complex chocolate flavor. Swirl them with peanut butter, cream cheese, or even pumpkin filling to mix things up. Mix in nuts, add a marshmallow topping, or spread on your favorite frostings for fun, simple, or seasonal twists.

You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!