Cake Mix Brownies

If you asked me for my favorite dessert, I’d answer brownies without fail. Why? Because they are consistent. Cookies can be crumbly, pies can be soupy and cakes can be oily. Brownies, in all their rich and fudgy glory, are always tasty. Whether smothered in creamy frosting, dotted with toasty nuts, paired with a cold glass of milk or topped with a heaping scoop of ice cream, this chocolaty bar is a dessert staple for a reason.

While my love of brownies is strong, I must admit I rarely take the time to make them from scratch. As a card-carrying San Franciscan, I often just reach for Ghirardelli (specifically their Dark Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix). But I recently discovered another mix method I’d never considered: how to make brownies from cake mix. Instead of a brownie mix, you can use both pudding and cake mixes for cakier, more chocolatey and equally scrumptious results. With four ingredients and three steps, baking brownies using cake mix is so easy that it practically makes brownie mixes obsolete (well, almost).

Ingredients for Cake Mix Brownies

• Instant chocolate pudding mix: If you take one lesson away from this recipe, let it be this: Make sure your chocolate pudding says “instant” and not “cook and serve.” They are two different products that will yield two entirely different results.
• Chocolate cake mix: Who knew you could make brownies from cake mix? This simple swap creates cakier, more chocolatey brownies. Buy your favorite chocolate cake mix brand from the store and get baking!
• Semisweet chocolate chips: In my opinion, the best brownie recipes have chocolate chips dotted throughout, so we made sure to add them to these brownies.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Let the brownies cool completely to room temperature before dusting them with confectioners sugar. If the brownies are still warm, the sugar will melt as soon as it lands.
• Vanilla ice cream: I love any excuse to buy one of the best vanilla ice cream brands, and these warm, chocolatey, cakey brownies absolutely deserve the best.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the batter

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare the chocolate pudding according to the package directions. Whisk in the dry cake mix. Stir in chocolate chips.

Editor’s Tip: You won’t need the extra ingredients listed on the cake mix packaging. Just add the contents of the box to the prepared pudding.

Step 2: Bake

Pour the brownie batter into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan and spread it out evenly. Bake the bars until the top springs back when lightly touched, 30 to 35 minutes.

Step 3: Dust (and eat!)

Let the brownies cool to room temperature, then sprinkle them with confectioners’ sugar and cut them into serving-size pieces. If you like, top each serving with a scoop of vanilla (or chocolate or mint or cookies ‘n’ cream) ice cream.

Test Kitchen Tip: To easily cut these brownies, line the pan with foil before baking. Make sure to allow the edges of the foil to hang over the sides of the pan to act as handles. When the brownies are cooled, lift the foil from the pan and then cut them into bars, squares or diamonds.

Recipe Variations

• Use any type of cake mix: Flavor these brownies however you want with any type of cake mix. Just make sure to match the instant pudding mix flavor to the cake mix’s flavor, too. For example, if you buy a strawberry cake mix, buy a strawberry instant pudding mix.
• Swap the chocolate chips: Add a different layer of flavor to your brownies by subbing peanut butter chips, milk chocolate chips or other common baking chips for the semisweet chocolate chips.
• Add your favorite mix-ins: Fold in your favorite brownie mix-ins like chopped Oreos or peanut butter cups, toffee pieces, crushed peppermint or even broken-up pretzel pieces.

How to Store Cake Mix Brownies

Cool the brownies completely to room temperature. Either wrap the pan tightly with storage wrap or transfer the brownie slices to an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to four days.

Can you freeze cake mix brownies?

Yes, you can freeze cake mix brownies. First, let them cool to room temperature. Then you can either wrap the pan in a layer of storage wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or stash brownie slices in an airtight container. Add a piece of parchment or wax paper between layers if you stack them. They can be frozen for up to three months. Just let them thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy them again.

Cake Mix Brownies Tips

How do I serve these cake mix brownies?

Our recipe recommends serving these cake mix brownies with a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar and a cold scoop of ice cream. You could also drizzle (with a heavy hand!) hot fudge on top, then add a dollop of whipped cream. Homemade salted caramel sauce or dulce de leche would be excellent, too. A rich chocolate buttercream frosting would send these brownies over the top.

Can I bake these cake mix brownies in a different pan?

Absolutely! Instead of a 15×10-inch jellyroll pan, bake these brownies in two 8-inch square pans or two 9-inch round pans.