Description
These fudgy chocolate brownies start with cake mix but have a true brownie texture! With just 4 ingredients and endless customization options, they’re perfect for last-minute desserts and chocolate emergencies.
Ingredients
1 box chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz)
2 large eggs
⅓ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup water
Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips
Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts
Optional: ¼ cup caramel bits
Optional: ½ teaspoon espresso powder
Optional: ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal, or spray with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, and water. Stir by hand until well combined and no dry pockets remain. The batter will be much thicker than cake batter.
If using any mix-ins, fold them into the batter, saving a few to sprinkle on top if desired.
Spread the thick batter evenly in your prepared pan. If you saved some mix-ins, sprinkle them on top and press them gently into the batter.
Bake for 25-30 minutes for an 8×8 pan, or 22-25 minutes for a 9×9 pan. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the center has a few moist crumbs.
Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before lifting out the parchment and cutting into squares.
Notes
For extra-fudgy brownies, add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry cake mix before adding the wet ingredients.
For bakery-style crackly tops, beat the eggs in a separate bowl until frothy before adding to the batter.
The batter can be prepared and spread in the pan up to 24 hours ahead, then covered and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.
These brownies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate the brownies for an hour before slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 185 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 23 mg
Keywords: chocolate cake mix brownies, easy brownies, cake mix brownies, fudgy brownies, 4-ingredient brownies, quick brownies, box mix brownies