I love a good doctored brownie mix recipe, and if it’s a dark chocolate brownie, self control goes out the window!
These dark chocolate brownies are decadent, rich, chewy and FULL of chocolate flavor. They are also incredibly easy. Life is so busy that I’m all about keeping things simple. Simple and delicious.
This indulgent recipe is a doctored brownie mix.
I know that some people are strictly from scratch, but this busy mama can use all the short cuts she can get. I also grew up on box mix brownies, and I kind of totally love them.
That said, with a few simple modifications, nobody will guess that your brownies started as a mix. If however a from scratch brownie is the only way to go for you, then I highly recommend my EASY BROWNIES recipe.
It’s so easy to modify the recipe on the box to make something extra special. For these brownies I use coffee in place of the water, which gives them a richer, deeper flavor.
I add 1-2 tablespoons of Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder, I add in some vanilla and sea salt and I finish them off withHershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Chips.
I adore dark chocolate, as does the rest of my family, and I’m a big fan of the Hershey’s Special Dark line.
The salt is optional, but I always add some sea salt to my desserts. I think that salt really helps balance out the sweetness and creates a more complex and interest flavor in your baked goods. It’s totally your call on adding it though.
One of the tricks to making great box brownies is that you have to use a smaller pan than called for on the box to create thicker brownies.
Most 13×9 sized mixes will actually provide you with baking times for an 8×8 pan or a 9×9 pan. If you’ve never sized down your pan for making brownies, I think you’ll be surprised at the results.
We leave out the nuts as my daughter has a nut allergy, but these would be fantastic with some walnuts or even pecans. Feel free to add them in!
I like to line my baking pans with foil, making sure to use enough foil that it hangs over the sides. This allows me to just pull the brownies right out of the pan when done. Super easy.
Doctored Brownie Mix
Doctored Brownie Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 13x9 Size Package Family Size Brownie Mix plus ingredients called for on box, replacing any water called for with cooled coffee in the same amount
- 1-2 TBSP Hershey's Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder Other cocoa powders will work as well
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp sea salt optional
Instructions
- Pour dry brownie mix into a large bowl. Add in cocoa powder and mix until combined. Prepare brownies as directed on the box, replacing the water with coffee, and adding in vanilla, dark chocolate chips and sea salt. Pour batter into an 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking pan and bake according to package directions (look for the directions specifically for a smaller pan). Remove from oven and allow to cool prior to slicing. Serve and enjoy.
Diane Exley says
Hi Christi! This sounds amazing! I’m going to make them for a 4th of July party. Is it OK to use a 9×13 pan?
Christi Johnstone says
Sure just take the general ideas and apply them to a 9×13 brownie mix. It won’t be quite as thick as if you use the smaller size pan, so stick more to the baking time on the mix instructions. Also, you can use cooled coffee in place of water in the recipe, that’s another great trick!
Jazz says
Love love! Question, how do you store your brownies once you cut them? When I bake brownies they tend to harden after a couple days.
Christi Johnstone says
We never have brownies last more than a few days! 🙂 What I typically do is either leave them in the pan and very tightly cover them (I love Glad Press N’ Seal) or I cut into individual brownies and then tightly wrap each brownie. They freeze great!
Brooke Mastin says
Do I have to use the cold coffee? I don’t drink coffee and I really don’t like “coffee” flavored stuff. I’m afraid it will have a coffee taste to it that will make me NOT want to eat/enjoy them. Is there something else I can substitute in besides using water?
Christi Johnstone says
No, you don’t. That said I personally hate coffee and do not drink it. You don’t taste coffee, it just intensifies the chocolate. But yes, you can just use water.
Jen says
Are the chocolate chips to be melted before adding? One picture shows the chips being melted but the recipe doesn’t specify?
Christi Johnstone says
Jen, no melting the chocolate chips. I think the photo you are referring to is the chocolate chips being added to the brownie batter.