Sometimes there are moments when you want delicious brownies but don’t have a box of brownie mix. You could always make homemade brownies but why when you can use a cake mix! A few simple ingredients and 40 minutes is all you need to cure your chocolate craving and make fabulous Cake Mix Brownies recipe!
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Why this Recipe Works
You can always use a brownie mix to bake brownies {like these Easy Cookie Dough Brownies} but what happens when you don’t have one? You pull out a cake mix instead!
To get the wonderful gooey chocolate brownie texture everyone craves about a chocolate brownie it is important to get the right amount of each ingredient.
Start by changing the amount of oil and water, along with the number of eggs you would normally use to make a cake.
You want the mixture thinner than a Brownie Cookie batter but thicker than a Brownie Bundt Cake batter. The end result is perfect chocolate brownies that comes together in minutes.
What goes into this Recipe
- Chocolate Cake Mix: The chocolate fudge cake mix gives you a wonderful starting point for nice fudgy brownies. I prefer Betty Crocker brand.
- Vegetable Oil: Added to give the brownies a nice soft texture.
- Eggs: Two eggs are put into the batter to help it bind together nicely.
- Vanilla Extract: Gives the brownies a bit of extra flavor.
- Water: Added for a bit more moisture.
- Chocolate Chips: I prefer milk chocolate chips but whatever you have at home or like works great. They give a wonderful rich chocolate flavor. To change up the flavor easily, try adding white chocolate chips or even peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
Cake Mix: To get chocolate cake mix brownies it will require a chocolate cake mix but if you want to try something different substitute that with a yellow cake mix. You could also use a strawberry mix for strawberry cake mix brownies or even make funfetti brownies and add sprinkles to a white mix.
Vegetable Oil: Melted butter is a wonderful substitute for the oil in this recipe.
How to make Brownies with a Cake Mix
1. To make brownies with a cake mix follow these easy steps. Combine your chocolate cake mix with eggs, oil, vanilla extract and water in a large bowl. The key is to be sure that there are not any pockets of dry mix hidden inside the batter {a hand held electric mixer works great for the job}.
2. Once the brownie batter is mixed well, add a cup of chocolate chips {I prefer milk chocolate chips} and stir them in by hand.
3. To prepare your pan, line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out on top of the parchment paper. Add a few additional chips to the top for extra chocolate flavor.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the brownies have puffed up {be sure to not over bake them}. To get a fudgy brownie {instead of cakey brownies} you are going to want to pull them from the oven when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out a bit wet. Then allow the brownies to cool in the pan, on a cooling rack before cutting.
Expert Tips
- Don’t over bake the cake mix brownies. Pull them out of the oven when there is still a bit of batter left on the toothpick but the sides of the brownies are set.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting into squares. This is always important to get nice clean edges, see these Nutter Butter Brownies for a great reference and recipe option.
- Use a plastic knife to cut your brownies once they are completely cooled. Plastic knives are naturally nonstick, and they won’t tear the brownies when you cut them like a metal knife can do.
- Warm the brownies for 20 seconds in the microwave before serving. This will give you a nice fudgy texture that is perfect for melting a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Storing and Freezing
Store: Leftovers can be kept in a good airtight container {or zipper bag} at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Be sure the bars are totally cooled and then freeze in an airtight container. You can individually wrap each brownie for the added convenience of grabbing one at a time.
Recipe FAQs
You can use any boxed cake mix that you’d like. I recommend using a box of chocolate fudge cake mix for a traditional taste and texture.
No! They will be a bit cake-like, but they will still have that classic fudgy texture and flavor of a traditional brownie. You won’t believe how delicious they are!
Yes, you can add other ingredients to the easy cake mix brownies for a unique flavor. For example, add nuts, different flavors of chocolate chips, or your favorite candy pieces for an extra special treat!
You can always spray the pan with nonstick spray but adding parchment paper is so convenient. Nothing sticks to it. Another benefit of using parchment paper is pulling it up after baking and removing the entire square of brownies. It helps you cut nice and even pieces.
Do you love cake mix recipes? Try these ideas…
Did you try this recipe?
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Fudgy Cake Mix Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate fudge cake mix {15.25 ounces}
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 1 cup chocolate chips {I prefer milk chocolate}
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl combine cake mix, oil, eggs, vanilla extract and water. This can be done either by hand or with a hand held mixer.
- Pour the batter into the prepared 9×9 pan and spread out into an even layer. Sprinkle a few additional chocolate chips on top of the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes {or until the sides are set and a toothpick still has a bit of batter on it when you pull it from the middle}. To get the fudgy texture you know and love, be sure to not over bake. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- Once cool, pull up on the parchment paper and remove the entire square of brownies. Cut them into 12 squares. Serve with a scoop of ice cream and store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Video
Notes
- Don’t over bake the cake mix brownies. Pull them out of the oven when there is still a bit of batter left on the toothpick but the sides of the brownies are set.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting into squares.
- Use a plastic knife to cut your brownies once they are completely cooled. Plastic knives are naturally nonstick, and they won’t tear the brownies when you cut them like a metal knife can do.
Nutrition
