6 Simple Tricks to Upgrade Boxed Brownies Fast

If you want to upgrade store-bought brownie mix into something special, you’ve come to the right place. Below are simple, tasty ways to transform a boxed mix into fudgy, flavorful brownies with minimal effort and big results.

What’s the best boxed brownie mix?

If you’re scanning the baking aisle wondering which mix to buy, we tested a bunch and have our favorites. In our testing, a gluten-free Krusteaz mix stood out for its crinkled top and chewy-yet-gooey texture. It’s affordable and produced reliably great results, but any high-quality boxed mix works well when you doctor it up with the ideas below.

Are boxed brownies gluten free?

Not all boxed mixes are gluten free, but gluten-free options are widely available. If you need a gluten-free mix, check ingredient labels or buy from a trusted brand that clearly labels gluten-free. Many of the boxed mixes used for testing were purchased online and labeled accordingly.

6 Ways to Doctor Boxed Brownies

A basic fudgy brownie is delicious, but a few simple additions can turn the pan into something memorable. Try one of these variations next time you bake brownies from a box.

Cheesecake Brownies

Combining brownies and cheesecake yields an indulgent bite with rich chocolate and tangy cream cheese. These are baked in a cupcake tin so every piece has a perfect ratio of brownie to cheesecake.

Ingredients

• 1 box of brownie mix
• 6 ounces cream cheese
• Pinch of flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Prepare brownie batter according to package directions.
2. Line a cupcake tin with liners.
3. Slice the cream cheese into approximately 12 tablespoon-sized pieces.
4. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each liner.
5. Place a cream cheese piece on top of the batter in each cup.
6. Top each with another tablespoon of batter to cover the cream cheese.
7. Bake at 325°F for about 25 minutes, or until set around the edges.
8. Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the warm cupcakes, cool, then enjoy.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies

Warm spices and a touch of cayenne give these brownies depth and a gentle kick. They’re perfect if you want a chocolate treat with bold, layered flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 box of brownie mix
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (reduce to 1/4 tsp for milder heat)
• Turbinado sugar for garnish

Instructions

1. Mix the boxed batter according to package directions, stirring in cinnamon, cloves, and cayenne.
2. Pour into a parchment-lined pan and sprinkle turbinado sugar on top.
3. Bake as directed on the box.
4. Cool slightly, slice, and serve.

Notes:

• If you prefer less heat, use 1/4 teaspoon cayenne instead of 1/2 teaspoon.

Red Wine Brownies

Replacing the liquid called for on the box with red wine adds subtle fruity and tannic notes that complement chocolate without overwhelming it—great for an adult dessert or special occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 box of brownie mix
• Red wine to replace the water or milk called for on the box

Instructions

1. Prepare batter according to package directions, using red wine instead of the water or milk.
2. Transfer batter to a parchment-lined pan and bake per the package instructions.
3. Cool slightly, slice, and enjoy.

Kitchen Sink Brownies

These are for adventurous bakers who love texture and variety. Mix in salty pretzels, peanut pieces, and candy for a fun, crunchy contrast to fudgy brownie batter.

Ingredients

• 1 box of brownie mix
• 2 cups mix-ins (chopped peanut butter cups, pretzels, M&Ms, chocolate chips, peanuts, etc.)
• Caramel sauce (optional), to finish
• Flaky sea salt, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare batter according to box directions and fold in most of the mix-ins, reserving about 1/4 cup to sprinkle on top.
2. Pour into a parchment-lined pan and scatter the reserved mix-ins over the surface.
3. Bake as directed, cool slightly, drizzle with caramel if desired, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, then slice and enjoy.

Peanut Butter Brownies

Chocolate and peanut butter are a classic pairing. Replace half the oil the mix calls for with peanut butter and add extra peanut butter on top for ribbons throughout each bite.

Ingredients

• 1 box of brownie mix
• Use half the oil amount the box calls for
• Replace the other half of the oil with an equal amount of creamy peanut butter, plus extra for topping

Instructions

1. Make batter, using peanut butter in place of half the oil.
2. Pour into a parchment-lined pan.
3. Drop 12–16 small dollops of peanut butter on top. Use a toothpick or knife to swirl across the surface to create marbling.
4. Bake per package directions, cool completely, slice, and serve.

Double Chocolate Brownies

For chocolate lovers, fold chocolate chips into the batter and finish with a glossy ganache-style glaze and sprinkles for an elevated, nostalgic treat.

Ingredients

• 1 box of brownie mix
• 1 cup chocolate chips for the batter, plus 1/2 cup for the glaze
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Sprinkles for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare batter and stir in 1 cup chocolate chips. Pour into a parchment-lined pan and bake as directed.
2. To make the glaze: heat the heavy cream until just below boiling, remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips until smooth, then add maple syrup and mix.
3. Pour the glaze over the warm brownies, chill in the refrigerator 30 minutes, then add sprinkles. For best results, refrigerate until fully set (about 4 hours) before slicing.
4. Slice and enjoy.

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Best Egg Substitute for Brownies

If you need an egg-free option, we tested substitutes and found a combination of chia seeds and yogurt performs well in brownies. For more details on ratios and alternatives, check egg-free baking guides or test a small batch to see which substitute matches your texture preferences.