Homemade Box Brownies

Everybody loves brownies! Am I right?! These homemade box brownies are fudgy and chewy with that crackling on top that just screams brownie. I’ve been working on this recipe for a while and I’ve finally nailed it!

Brownies, ugh, the nightmare of homemade brownies! They are so tricky to get just right! Our oven is not cooking evenly which I can manage 90% of the time but brownies are really tricky. Add on top that I’m obsessed with a crinkle top and these brownies have taken years to develop! They are Cade’s favorite dessert next to or equal to ice cream so the need to find perfection was big! And these are perfection!

These brownies are easy and fudgy and made totally from scratch! I’m not going to lie, the Ghirardelli brownies boxed mix that you can buy at Costco are my go-to when I’m in a rush, but this homemade brownie recipe rivals those Ghirardelli box brownies! There’s just something about homemade that feels and tastes so much better!

Ingredients for Homemade Box Brownies

There are some ingredients that are an absolute must for the best brownies. For a crinkle top and best flavor you have to use cocoa powder and chopped chocolate or chocolate chips. You also must use oil and butter. Here is a complete list of everything you need:

• Butter: use unsalted butter to control the salt in the brownies and you want it melted to get the right texture and the crackly shiny top on the brownies
• Vegetable Oil: helps the brownies be moist and fudgy
• Sugar: adds sweetness and balances the bitterness of the cocoa powder
• Brown Sugar: adds more sweetness and richness in flavor
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: adds all the chocolate flavor
• Eggs: adds structure to the brownies
• Vanilla Extract: adds flavor
• Espresso Powder: found in the baking section and is used to enhance the chocolate flavor. It can be skipped if you absolutely cannot find it or substitute with instant coffee.
• Salt: enhances all the flavors
• Flour: just regular all-purpose flour is all you need
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: adds texture and more chocolate flavor

The measurements for all these ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Box Brownies at Home

These fudgy brownies are made in just about 30 minutes and they taste even better than your favorite boxed brownies. Here are the steps for making them:

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×9 baking pan with foil (or parchment paper) and then cooking spray.
2. Stir: Combine the melted butter, oil, sugar, and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until well combine and shiny.
3. Whisk: In a small bowl, add the eggs and whisk until pale yellow. Add in the vanilla, espresso powder and salt. Add to chocolate mixtu

Marshmallow Dulce De Leche Brownies

Treat yourself to these decadent Marshmallow Dulce De Leche Brownies for a sweet and fluffy treat. These chocolatey brownies are topped with a layer of creamy dulce de leche and marshmallow fluff for the ultimate dessert indulgence.

I feel like I should really name this post roll-over-and-die brownies because you’re going to devour so many of these rich, over the top, sticky, gooey, fluffy bars of deliciousness that you’ll probably roll over and die of brownie overload.

Seriously, they are so rich and fantastic you’ll think you cannot possibly try one more bite and then the next thing you know you’re standing in front of these dulce de leche brownies with fork in hand.

Creating this Recipe

I originally posted this brownies recipe over at BHG Delish Dish blog, and I have to say it was so much fun. Gosh, it was more than 10 years ago now, but I remember making them with our oldest daughter, and I had so much fun teaching her about melting chocolate, picking out toppings, etc. Now she’s off at college making these brownies for her friends and roommates!

If you could drop everything and recreate a memory for your kids what would it be? Would you be willing to create a memory for them or are you too busy?

But seriously, why didn’t I slow down a little more when I was younger? I was in such a hurry to grow up that sometimes I feel almost homesick, no sad, gosh I don’t know how to explain it, but I miss sitting in the kitchen with my Mom, gardening in our ginormous garden and snitching as many raspberries as I could, camping, singing around a fire, etc. Life passed by and now the same is happening for my kids. I hope I can create memories for them like I had growing up.

Ingredients for Dulce de Leche Brownies

You’ll make delicious fudgy brownies first, and then top them with dulce de leche and marshmallow fluff. Here is everything you will need:

• Unsweetened Chocolate: We like Baker’s brand.
• Butter: adds fat and richness to the brownies
• Sugar: regular white granulated sugar
• Eggs: gives the brownies structure
• Vanilla Extract: adds flavor
• Flour: regular all-purpose flour
• Baking Soda: acts as a leavening agent to give the brownies rise
• Mini Semisweet Chocolate Chips: adds more chocolate flavor and texture to the brownies
• Dulce de Leche: grab a can at the store on the baking aisle or make your own at home with sweetened condensed milk
• Marshmallow Creme: any brand will work great
• Chopped Pecans (optional): If you’re not a nut fan, you can use chocolate chips or toffee bits. I love the texture it adds to the brownies.

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post so keep scrolling for all the details.

Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies

Blackberry cheesecake brownies that will have everyone begging for seconds. A rich brownie base, tangy cheesecake and sweet blackberry swirl!

Brownies are perfect in every way. Fudgy, moist, chocolatey, and oh-so-satisfying. I’ve loved brownies ever since I was a little girl. I had to share these blackberry cheesecake brownies with you all.

These brownies look gourmet and no one will know that you actually made these babies in your PJs! That beautiful purple swirl in the white creamy cheesecake is just stunning!

Blackberry Cheesecake Brownies

These blackberry cheesecake brownies are perfect: a rich chocolate brownie base topped with tangy cheesecake, all swirled with tart blackberries. Here are the ingredients you will need for each component:

Blackberry Puree

• Blackberries: frozen or fresh blackberries work fine
• Sugar: regular white granulated sugar
• Water: helps thin out the puree

Brownies

• Butter: adds flavor, richness, and all the fat you need for moist tender brownies
• Sugar: adds sweetness to balance out the bitterness of the cocoa
• Eggs: gives structure to the brownies
• Vanilla Extract: adds flavor
• Salt: enhances all the flavors
• Cocoa Powder: gives all the rich chocolatey flavor
• Flour: regular all-purpose flour is all you need

Cheesecake

• Cream Cheese: make sure it’s softened to room temperature
• Greek Yogurt: adds creaminess and tang to the cheesecake layer
• Egg: adds structure to the cheesecake
• Sugar: adds sweetness
• Salt: enhances all the flavors

The measurements and details for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Cheesecake Brownies from Scratch

To make cheesecake brownies from scratch you only need basic ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa, etc. for the brownies. You’ll also need a few ingredients for the blackberry puree and cream cheese layers. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

Blackberry Puree

1. Combine: add all the ingredients to a saucepan and place over medium-high heat stirring occasionally to break down the blackberries.
2. Strain: pour the puree into a fine mesh strainer over a small bowl and push the blackberries through with a spatula preserving all the liquid and dispose of the solids.
3. Cool: allow the strained puree to cool to room temperature.

Brownies

1. Prep: preheat the oven to 325°F and line a square baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Melt: add the butter to a microwave safe bowl and melt the butter in 30 second increments until completely melted.
   Read more

Tuxedo Brownie Cups

Brownies stuffed with a creamy white chocolate cream cheese filling and a big juicy strawberry on top. These tuxedo brownie cups are elegant and delicious!

Brownies are delicious and they go with just about any occasion or meal so they are the perfect “go to” dessert when you’ve got a lot going on, but it’s time to give brownies a little dressing up. We made it a black tie affair with these tuxedo brownie bites and I’m so glad we did!

The cream cheese filling is absolutely divine, but really can you EVER go wrong with cream cheese filling? It’s creamy and perfect along with that bold chocolate and the fresh, sweet berry.

Recommended Equipment

• Mini Muffin Pan
• Small Cookie Scoop

Ingredients for Tuxedo Brownie Bites

• Fudge Brownie Mix: Make the brownies following the cake like instructions. You will need eggs, water and vegetable oil.
• White Chocolate: adds a delicious rich flavor to the filling
• Milk: thins out the filling a little and adds creaminess
• Cream Cheese: use full fat cream cheese and make sure it is at room temperature (see section below for avoiding lumps)
• Powdered Sugar: adds sweetness
• Frozen Whipped Topping: adds structure to the filling
• Strawberries: adds flavor and freshness and pairs so well with chocolate
• Orange Zest: This is totally optional but it adds a beautiful depth of flavor. Mint or chocolate could also be used to garnish.

The measurements for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Lumps in Cream Cheese

Remember, when cooking or baking with cream cheese you need to either set it out for a bit so that you can soften the brick, making a smooth spread, or fill a sink with warm water and let it sit, still in its foil until soft. There’s nothing worse than lumpy cream cheese filling and no amount of beating will smooth out those pieces.

How to Make Tuxedo Brownie Bites

The beautiful thing about these brownie bites (besides how good they taste) is that they seem so decadent and fancy but they couldn’t be easier to make! Here are the basic steps:

1. Prep: Preheat the oven and spray all the muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Brownie Mix: Prepare the brownie mix according to the cake like directions.
3. Bake: Using a small cookie scoop, fill the cups 2/3 full with brownie batter and bake.
4. Create: When the brownies are done baking, use the back of the small scoop the indent the middle of each brownie to create a “brownie cup”.
5. Filling: While the brownies cool, make the filling (see section below for more details).
6. Assemble: Add the filling to the brownie cups (more details below)