Fall Back on Butter
Most boxed brownies use canola or vegetable oil. Sub in the same amount of melted butter with brilliant results. This makes the brownies much richer and more delicious.
Replace the Water
We've encountered mixes in which water is the only liquid. Replace it with a richer, more flavorful liquid, such as milk, buttermilk or coconut milk. Brewed coffee also works, adding interest without creating an overly indulgent end product.
Add Extracts
Here's a small improvement that comes from an ingredient already in your pantry! A teaspoon of vanilla, almond, mint, even rum extract can go a long way in the chocolaty sweet. These flavors, in particular, complement the cocoa goodness
Swirl in Some Good Stuff
This trick makes your brownies stand out in more ways than one. Dollop cream cheese, fruit jam, pumpkin puree, peanut butter or caramel over brownie batter. Spoon it into the pan, then cut through the batter to create this wow-worthy effect. Your dessert will be prettier and tastier than every other treat on the table.
Stir in Espresso
A jolt of espresso powder is just the thing to amp up plain ole brownies. Stir 1 heaping teaspoon into the dry ingredients before adding the liquids, then bake as usual. Espresso not only makes the chocolate flavor more pronounced, but it also adds a subtle touch of beloved java flavor.
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