These better than boxed brownies are dark chocolate fudgy brownies loaded with three types of chocolate chips. They have the perfect crinkle brownie top and are super easy to make.
While boxed brownies are SO good, these are even better! They remind me of the Ghirardelli triple chocolate boxed brownie mix, but these homemade brownies are way fudgier.
There are not many brownies that can compare to a box mix brownies. It is simply magic in a box. These better than boxed mix brownies are even better than that!
This delicious recipe is even simple to make, so you won't feel overwhelmed if you make them for a school bake sale, or even just because you are a brownie lover!
They are incredibly fudgy brownies with three types of chocolate chips. These brownies also have that classic crinkle top.
They are the best brownies hands down!
If you are looking for more chocolate recipes, try Oreo Brownies, Turtle Brownies, and small batch brownies
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Why This Better than Boxed Brownie Recipe Works
- Easy to make- These brownies require a mixer to beat the eggs and sugar, but they take less than 10 minutes to make.
- Cocoa powder + chocolate chips- This recipe uses both. No melted chocolate, just cocoa powder! There are also three types of chocolate chips.
- Fudgy texture- These brownies have an incredibly fudgy texture. No cakey brownies here!
- Crinkly top- These delicious brownies have a crinkle top!
Step By Step Recipe Video
Ingredient Notes for Better than Boxed Brownies
- Egg yolk- The extra egg yolk helps to give the brownies an extra fudgy texture.
- Unsalted Butter- The butter needs to be melted and slightly cooled. Too warm and the butter will cook the eggs.
- Oil- Canola oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil is perfect for this recipe.
- Dutch process cocoa powder- Use dutch process for a deeper and rich chocolate flavor. I used this one.
- Cornstarch- The cornstarch breaks down the gluten and provides a more fudgy texture and a more chewier brownie.
- Chocolate chips- I used semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, and mini chocolate chips. You can just use regular chocolate chips.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Dairy free- You can use your favorite dairy free options for this recipe!
- Gluten free- I haven't tested this gluten free. Let me know if you do.
- Chocolate chips- You can use any chocolate chips you want.
Step By Step Instructions- Brownie Batter
Here are the steps to make and bake these brownies.
STEP 1: Spray a 9X9 square pan. Spray the pan with non-stick baking spray. For easy removal of the brownies, place parchment paper on the bottom and sides of the pan.
STEP 2: Mix the dry ingredients. Use a sifter to make sure all the all-purpose flour and cocoa powder lumps are gone.
Mix the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl.
STEP 3: Beat eggs and sugar. Next, use a mixer with a whisk attachment. Whip the large eggs and granulated sugar for 5 straight minutes. Just the let the mixer run!
This adds air to the eggs and creates the crackle on top of the brownies.
STEP 4: Add in wet ingredients. Then, add in the melted butter, oil, and vanilla. Mix on low to not deflate the air in the eggs.
STEP 5: Add in dry ingredients. Mix in the dry ingredients on low. Make sure it is completely combined. Then, fold in chocolate chips.
STEP 6: Bake the brownies. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-55 minutes. Bake until the edges are set and the middle of the pan is slightly under baked.
STEP 7: Cool the brownies. For the best results, the brownies need to cool completely before cutting into them. They get more cook time as they cool down.
Expert Baking Tips
When you are baking these brownies, you need to be careful when adding in the rest of the ingredients after the eggs are beaten.
If they are added in too fast, the eggs' air will deflate and you won't get as much of a rise from the brownies.
Make sure to spray the pan with baking non-stick spray, so the brownies don't stick to the pan. It is also a good idea to place parchment paper on the bottom of the tray as well.
My last tip, these brownies are also best enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
FAQ
This means that the brownies were too under done. You will probably have extremely fudgy brownies. Bake the brownies again for another 15-20 minutes to cook them more.
This means the brownies are over baked. Make sure when you bake these, the center is slightly under done.
I have not recipe tested this. If you make these with an egg substitute, let me know.
Yes you can. It will just make thick brownies.
Yes you can. Just double the recipe.
Recipe Variations
- You can use any mix in's you would like! You can do peanut butter chips, nuts, Nutella, or peanut butter!
Special Tools
- 9X9 pan: I use metal square pans for baking. I don't recommend glass pans.
- Parchment paper: I use premade sheets of parchment paper vs the roll of parchment paper. It makes baking a lot easier!
- Baking spray: I use the nonstick spray that has flour in it.
- Offset spatula: I use this to easily spread the frosting or fillings.
Storing and Freezing
Store these better than boxed brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last up to 3-4 days. They are best slightly warm.
Freezing
Store these baked brownies in the freezer in an airtight container. They will last up to 30 days in the freezer. Thaw for 1 hour before enjoying.
Other Brownie Recipes To Try
Try These Brownie Recipes
Make sure to leave me a star review below!
Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
Better Than Boxed Fudge Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 cup White granulated sugar
- 3 Large eggs
- 1 Large egg yolk
- ½ cup Unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup Oil canola or vegetable
- ¾ cup All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder dutch process
- 1 ½ tablespoon Cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup Milk chocolate
- ⅓ cup Mini chocolate chips
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Spray a 9X9 pan with a non-stick spray.
- In a small bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and cornstarch. Set aside¾ cup All-purpose flour, 1 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon Salt, 1 ½ tablespoon Cornstarch
- Using a mixer, combine sugar, eggs, and egg yolk. Turn the mixer to high and beat for 5 minutes. It will become light and fluffy. While mixing, melt butter in the microwave and let it sit for a few minutes to cool down slightly.2 cup White granulated sugar, 3 Large eggs, 1 Large egg yolk, ½ cup Unsalted butter
- Add in butter, oil, and vanilla. Mix on low until combined. Take bowl off mixer. Add in the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to very slowly fold in the dry ingredients. Pour in semi-sweet, milk, and mini chocolate chips and fold in.2 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract, ½ cup Oil, ½ cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips, ½ cup Milk chocolate, ⅓ cup Mini chocolate chips
- Pour batter into pan. Using a rubber spatula, make sure it is even through out pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes. The brownies are done when edges are done but the middle isn't set yet. Brownies should appear underdone. They cook more when sitting out. Let sit on counter until top is room temperature.
- Right before serving, cut brownies into 16 squares. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top.Powdered sugar for dusting
Rosie says
Theeeeeeeeeeee best brownies, ever!!! I have made these about 10 times and my entire extended family request them for all of our gatherings lol sooooo good! Wanted to ask if you suggest adjusting the time or temp if I bake two 9x9 pans, at once?
Stephanie Rutherford says
No I don't think the times would change if you do two pans at once.
Carol says
This is definitely my forever brownie. I just wanted to comment on how much I love your recipes. If I had to narrow it down to top five recipe websites that I adore, this would be one of those. Thanks so much for expert tips and wonderful recipes and help.
Roro says
Absolutely delicious!!! I made these two days in a row! Gave them away to two different groups of friends and I had non-brownie lovers telling me they wanted more!!!! This will forever be my go-to recipe! I've tried about 5-6, from various bakers, and YOU WIN, Stephanie!!! By a landslide!!!!
Stephanie M. says
I just made these yesterday and they’re gone! Delicious, the most perfect brownie! Definitely use parchment paper AND nonstick cooking spray, otherwise brownies will stick. Will be using this recipe again and again!!
Janca says
Made these guys to cure the Monday blues - HUGE success and they're super delicious. Hubby and I couldn't wait for them to cool down and they did not last very long. Really easy to make as well - 100% recommend!
Doris says
I was wondering if you can omit all chocolate chips
It seems to much of them
It really looks good and I sometimes frost mine
Stephanie Rutherford says
You can omit the chocolate chip if you want too.
Lana says
These brownies are so good. I make them all the time!
Lilly says
These brownies are my go to!
Bianca says
Making these brownies for the second time. My best friend said “when I want a brownie, this is the brownie I want.” They are absolutely delicious, fudgy, and perfect. Love that the steps in the recipe include the ingredients so you don’t have to scroll back up!
Stephanie Rutherford says
You just made my day. I am so happy you love these brownies!!
Hannah says
Best brownie recipe! I only use this recipe now when I want to make brownies.
Lynda Creighton-Wong says
I am confused because the recipe printed here says to make an 8 by 8 pan, But then I see in one of your comments, that you have adjusted down the ingredients for an 8x8 pan. Is this supposed to be made in a 9x13 pan?? I don't want to try it without being clear how I'm supposed to make it
Stephanie Rutherford says
Hello!
That was an error on my part. It is supposed to be baked in an 9X9 pan. It is updated now. You can bake in an 8X8 pan by scaling down the ingredients or keeping them the same for a very thick brownie. If you bake in an 9X13, double the recipe.
Mo says
I was wondering what you mean by milk chocolate? Do you mean chocolate milk? I wanted to clarify before trying to make.
Stephanie Rutherford says
Use milk chocolate chips. You can use extra semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.
Alex says
Hey! So I've used this recipe multiple times and just used it the other week...the amounts have all changed?!?! It used to be 2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 vegetables oil and 1.5 tbsp of corn starch 1 full cup dutch cocoa etc....why are they now different? Was this an accident?
Alex says
Hey! So I've used this recipe multiple times and just used it the other week...the amounts have all changed?!?! It used to be 2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 vegetables oil and 1.5 tbsp of corn starch....why are they now different? Was this an accident?
Stephanie Rutherford says
Hello!
The recipe updating was an accident. I was trying to update a different recipe and apparently this one got updated too. I just went and changed it to the right measurements.
Try looking again!
Alex says
Thank you so much!!? This is hands down the best brownie recipe ever so thank you for fixing it!!!
Heather says
So perfect. And so easy!
Chad says
Loved it!!!
Steven says
These are the perfect brownies! My whole family loves them! I can't recommend them enough
Sheba says
Hi Stephanie! I really want to make this recipie but I only have an 8x8 pan. What adjustments would I need to make? Thank you!
Stephanie Rutherford says
Here is the ingredients list for 8X8 pan!
1 1/3 cups White granulated sugar
2 Large eggs
1 Large egg yolk
5 TBSP Unsalted butter melted
1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup Oil canola or vegetable
1/2 cup All-purpose flour
3/4 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder dutch process
1 TBSP Cornstarch
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup Milk Chocolate
1/8 cup Mini Chocolate chip