No brownie mix? No problem! Make cake mix brownies instead -- you may even like them better!
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Cake Mix Brownies combine the convenience of baking from a box with the decadence of fudgy chocolate brownie flavor. Super easy to make using any cake mix, you’ll wonder why you didn’t discover this recipe sooner!
How To Make Brownies out of Cake Mix
Our chocolate Cake Mix Brownies recipe is so simple and straightforward; they’re just as rich, fudgy, and filled with delicious chocolate flavor as my Candy Cane Brownies and Snickers Brownies, but they’re made from cake batter rather than a brownie mix.
This simple brownie recipe begins with an easy-to-make, one-bowl batter, with a secret ingredient swap: by replacing the water with heavy cream, these treats taste like you made them from scratch.
A cake mix can do much more than baking cakes, cookie bars, and cake mix cookies. Keep reading to learn how to make brownies from a cake mix (any flavor will work) when you don’t have a brownie mix on hand.
Why We Love Making brownies With A cake Mix
- Quick and easy to make with a box mix shortcut.
- Uses a handful of simple ingredients.
- Non-traditional way to turn a mix into something other than a classic cake.
- Fudgy, moist, gooey, chewy like a brownie but baked from a cake mix.
- You can customize your cake brownies with your favorite flavors, mix-ins, and toppings.
- Perfect for a holiday dessert tray, a party platter, or when your pantry only contains a cake mix.
Cake Mix Brownies Ingredients
- Chocolate cake mix: I used a Great Value brand cake mix, but any brand of cake mix will work in this recipe.
- Eggs
- Salted butter: You can substitute unsalted butter and a pinch or two of salt if desired.
- Heavy cream
- Dark chocolate chips
- Milk chocolate chips
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Additions
- Create Without Cream: You can use half and half or whole milk instead of the heavy cream. Remember that the less fat you add (i.e., the skimmer the milk or dairy), the more cake-like the brownies may be.
- Choose Your Chips: You can substitute the dark chocolate chips with semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips. You can also swap the milk chocolate chips for extra dark chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or mini chocolate chips.
- Change The Cake Mix: You can make this cake mix brownie recipe with any chocolate cake mix (a few of my favorites are chocolate fudge cake mix and red velvet cake mix). Or use your favorite flavor, even if it isn’t chocolate! Try a strawberry, orange, lemon, or coconut cake mix. The options are endless.
- Bake Blondies: Make white cake mix brownies or yellow cake mix brownies to turn your brownies into blondies.
- Adjust The Add-Ins: Chocolate chips go great in brownies, but they aren’t the only add-ins you can use! You can substitute or add mix-ins, like other flavored chips (mint chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, etc.), chopped nuts, toffee bits, candy pieces, mini marshmallows, or sprinkles!
- Top Your Treats: These brownies are delicious when topped with a scoop of ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce. There is no shortage in ways to serve these desserts with decadent style!
How to Make Cake Mix Brownies
- Make Brownie Batter: Mix together the cake mix, eggs, butter, and heavy cream until well combined. Fold in the dark and milk chocolate chips and spread the batter into the baking pan.
Pro Tip: The mixture will be thick. - Bake The Brownies: Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 23-26 minutes.
- Slice And Serve: Cool completely before cutting into squares and serving. Enjoy!
Tips For Making The Best Cake Mix Brownies
- Depending on your brand of cake mix, you may create a fudgier or cakier brownie consistency.
- Keep in mind that making substitutions to this recipe may affect the texture and taste of the brownies, so be mindful of the changes you make.
- Your brownies are done baking when a toothpick poked in the center comes back gooey but not with batter on it.
- Make sure you allow the brownies cool completely before cutting them. The center of the brownies may seem a bit undercooked when the pan comes out of the oven. However, they will set up as they cool down.
How to Store Cake Mix Brownies
- To Store: Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or refrigerate them for up to 1 week.
- To Freeze: Freeze the brownies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
More Easy Brownie Recipes
More Desserts Using Cake Mix
- Oreo Dump Cake
- 3-Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies
- Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Poke Cake
- Cookie Dough Brownies
If you tried this Cake Mix Brownies Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
Cake Mix Brownies
Serves — 14
No brownie mix? No problem! Make cake mix brownies instead — you may even like them better!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce box chocolate cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter melted
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with baking spray.
- Mix the chocolate cake mix, eggs, salted butter, and heavy cream in a large mixing bowl until well combined. The mixture will be thick.15.25 ounce box chocolate cake mix, 2 large eggs, ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, ⅓ cup heavy cream
- Fold in the dark and milk chocolate chips until evenly distributed.¾ cup dark chocolate chips, ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
- Spread the mixture into the prepared baking pan in an even layer.
- Bake for 23-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with some goo but not covered in batter.
- Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.
Jenn’s Notes
Storage:
- To Store: Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or refrigerate them for up to 1 week.
- To Freeze: Freeze the brownies in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
- Depending on your brand of cake mix, you may create a fudgier or cakier brownie consistency.
- Keep in mind that making substitutions to this recipe may affect the texture and taste of the brownies, so be mindful of the changes you make.
- Your brownies are done baking when a toothpick poked in the center comes back gooey but not with batter on it.
- Make sure you allow the brownies cool completely before cutting them. The center of the brownies may seem a bit undercooked when the pan comes out of the oven. However, they will set up as they cool down.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 260mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 267IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg
