9 Simple Tips to Make Box Brownies Moist and Chewy

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I’ve seen my fair share of mishaps during my baking journey. In particular, brownie failures are abundant, even when using straightforward box brownies.

Well, box brownies can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re missing one of the key ingredients. They’re also perfect if you don’t want to follow complicated brownie recipes.

If you’re wondering how to make box brownies moist and chewy, look no further. I’ve perfected a couple of methods that transform box brownies into dessert masterpieces, ensuring no one but you knows that you used a brownie mix (and be sure to check out these 16 additional ways to improve your brownies).

How to Make Box Brownies Moist

In my opinion, moist brownies take the cake over cakey brownies (no pun intended!) If you prefer cakey brownies, you can adjust the texture to your preference.

That said, here are a couple of easy tips to make box brownies moist:

1 – Avoid Overmixing the Batter

Box brownies are incredibly simple to make. In fact, you don’t need to mix the ingredients for minutes. Once everything is combined, the brownie batter should be ready.

The reason is that overmixing the batter will result in gluten formation. Then, you’ll have dense brownies that are devoid of moisture.

Instead, you should just add the dry ingredients to the bowl, followed by the wet ingredients. Stir a couple of times to combine.

2 – Use the Right Size Pan

Using the right pan size can make or break your box brownies. If the recipe calls for a specific size, you typically shouldn’t substitute it with a different size.

If you’re using a pan that’s too small, the brownie batter won’t spread out. The resulting brownie will be too thick, clumpy, and under-baked.

On the other hand, baking in a pan that’s too big will spread the batter out too thinly. Not only will the brownies bake too quickly, causing them to dry, but they might also burn.

Ideally, when pouring the batter into the pan, you want it spread uniformly and all the way into the corners. This way, your brownies bake nice and evenly and are moist, whether it’s a corner or middle piece!

3 – Use the Right Type of Pan

Boxed brownie mixes, just like brownies from scratch, can be a little finicky when it comes to the pan they’re baked in.

Dark and heavy metal pans are excellent conductors of heat. Accordingly, they lead to faster baking, in turn, resulting in dry brownies. Ideally, you should go for glass pans or light metal ones.

4 – Bake at the Right Temperature

The oven temperature is crucial when it comes to baked goods. Baking in an oven that’s even a few degrees off can make a big difference in a moist, dry, or too-gooey brownie.

A robust oven thermometer will be your best friend if you’re learning to bake. It allows you to ensure the internal oven temperature matches the temperature set on the dial.

If the temperature is too high, the brownies will dry up and burn. In contrast, a low temperature can cause the brownies to slowly lose moisture during baking.

For this reason, checking the oven temperature is a must. Don’t forget to preheat the oven!

5 – Never Overbake Brownies

Lastly, the simplest thing you can do to end up with moist and flavorful box brownies is not to overbake them. It’s far better to underbake than to have dry, overcooked brownies.

Even if you’ve followed the instructions, ensured the proper oven temperature, and set a timer, you’ll still need to check your brownies at the 20-minute mark.

To do so, all you have to do is gently press down at the center of the pan with your finger to see how firm they are.

Alternatively, you can stick a knife in the middle of the batter. If it comes out wet, the brownies require more time.

If your brownies aren’t ready yet, you should check again in five to eight minutes. Your knife or cake tester should have moist crumbs sticking to it, but it shouldn’t be bone-dry.

Following these steps will definitely result in nice and moist brownies.

How to Make Box Brownies Chewy

Brownies aren’t supposed to be crumbly. Chewy brownies are a favorite in my household. Here are some of my favorite tricks that’ll result in a perfect texture, regardless of the type of box brownies you’re using:

1 – Use Less Eggs

Most box brownies call for two eggs. Well, through trial and error, I’ve found that one egg will give you the ideal chewy texture, without affecting the taste of the brownies.

In fact, you can go ahead and make the batter without using any eggs!

2 – Use Egg Yolks Only

If you’re not rebellious enough, omitting the eggs might not be for you. That said, you need to understand that the egg whites are responsible for the extra air and fluffiness of the brownies.

Accordingly, using only egg yolks will result in a denser, chewy chocolate dessert. Still, the brownies will have the same richness that eggs typically provide.

3 – Use Melted Butter

The best part about using box brownies is how the ingredients are readily available and easy to mix. However, if you want to enhance the flavor and texture of your dessert, substituting the oil for melted unsalted butter will do the trick.

4 – Underbake

If the last box brownies you made didn’t give you the chewy brownie you were looking for, try under baking them by just a bit.

Five minutes should do it, just enough to keep your brownie from baking too much and losing its chewiness.

Adding to the Mix for Moist and Chewy Brownies

Not only do box brownies provide a delicious dessert to satisfy any sweet tooth, but they’re also more economical and convenient. I always have some on hand, so I can surprise my family anytime with this baked treat.

If I want a special treat, I can still reach for my trusty box brownies. All I do is add some extra ingredients, as well as employ the above tips to keep box brownies chewy and moist.

Extra Chocolatey Brownies

If you’re craving chocolate, adding two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, or chocolate alternative, to the dry box brownies mix will make a world of a difference.

That said, you might need to experiment with the ratio of the dry to wet ingredients, to avoid a dense batter. I like to add a tablespoon of milk per extra tablespoon of cocoa powder.

Coffee Mocha Brownies

Coffee can significantly bring out the flavor of the chocolate in any dessert you’re making, particularly brownies.

To maintain the perfect wet-to-dry ingredient ratio, use brewed espresso in place of the water. If you don’t have any brewed coffee, instant espresso powder will also work well.

Sea Salt Sprinkles

Salt might be the last thing you’d think to add to your desserts. However, the contrasting flavor will enhance the sweetness of the brownies.

The result: A unique brownie flavor that no one will believe comes in a box!

The best part is that you don’t need to alter the recipe or add some extra steps. Just sprinkle some sea salt on top of the freshly baked dessert, and enjoy.

Add Something Special

Brownie batter, whether from the box or from scratch, begs to have something special tossed into the mix. After all, chocolate mixes well with various ingredients. Additionally, some of these ingredients will add an interesting texture to your dessert.

Some of my favorite brownie additives include:

• ¼ cup of coconut flakes
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• ½ cup milk, dark, or white chocolate chips

Final Thoughts

Brownies are one of the easiest recipes to bake. Yet, if you don’t have the time or the right ingredients, you can still whip up box brownies in mere minutes.

The challenge might be achieving the perfect chewy and moist texture. Well, this is a problem of the past thanks to the simple tips in this guide. So, you’ll be baking the most delicious boxed brownies you and your family have ever tasted in no time!

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