Chocolate Cake Mix Brownies

With only two steps, this Cake Mix Brownies recipe is the easiest brownies recipe ever! They’re super fudgy brownies made with just 5 simple ingredients. You’ll want to make these any chance you get!

Chocolatey Cake Mix Brownie Recipe

When time is of the essence, nothing rivals this recipe for decadent cake mix brownies!

These easy homemade brownies are the ultimate “in a pinch” chocolate dessert. Of course, you could always use brownie mix. But then you wouldn’t experience the sheer fudginess and moist, gooey chocolate crumb that comes from cake mix! 

Cake mix brownies are quick to make in only two steps, with 5 ingredients and one bowl. When it comes to an easy dessert to make for potlucks, cookouts, or just because, you really can’t go wrong with a batch of these rich and chocolatey brownies.

What You’ll Need

The batter for these brownies is super simple. Just 5 ingredients, including your chocolate cake mix. And those ginormous chunks of chocolate in the brownies? Hershey’s Baking Melts. You can thank me later!

• Chocolate Cake Mix: I used a box of Dark Chocolate Cake Mix, but you can use any boxed chocolate cake you like!
• Oil: Vegetable oil, or another neutral oil like canola.
• Milk: Whole milk or your preferred alternative. Note that different types of milk may give different results in the texture of the brownies.
• Egg: A single egg is enough to bind the ingredients together for these brownies.
• Chocolate Chunks: I used Hershey’s Baking Melts. If you can’t find melts, you can definitely stir some good quality, semi-sweet chocolate chips instead!

How to Make Brownies with Cake Mix

Here’s how to make moist, fudgy brownies in just two easy steps:

Combine the Ingredients: Mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Next, stir in your chocolate chunks of choice.

Bake: Spread the brownie batter into a greased baking pan. Bake the brownies for about 20 minutes, and then leave them to cool before cutting them into squares.

Tips & Tricks

• Use the Right Pan: This recipe calls for an 8×8 inch baking pan. For best results, I wouldn’t recommend making these in any other size. Also note the kind of pan you use: a metal pan will lead to brownies with more crispy edges, while a clear dish may need a few minutes of extra baking time. Keep an eye while you’re baking!
• Let the Brownies Cool Completely: The center of the brownies may seem a bit underdone when the pan comes out of the oven. However, the brownies will set up as they cool down! Make sure to allow enough time for the brownies to cool completely before you cut them.

Add-In Ideas

Like many brownie recipes, this version leaves loads of room for customizing! Here are just some possibilities for add-in ideas:

• Crushed nuts like peanuts, roasted hazelnuts, pecans, or walnuts
• Mini marshmallows
• Toffee pieces
• Dried fruit like cranberries, apricots, or pineapple chunks
• Peanut butter chocolate chips or white chocolate chips
• M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, or another bite-sized candy (or chop up your favorite candy bars to add in!)
• Crushed candy canes

Serving Suggestions

These cake mix brownies are amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Plus, you can add a dollop of whipped cream or drizzle of Hot Fudge Sauce to really take things over the top. Here are some other ideas for how to serve them:

• Dusted with powdered sugar
• Drizzled with Caramel Sauce
• Topped with berry coulis or Easy Homemade Strawberry Syrup
• Frosted with Chocolate Frosting or a simple Buttercream Frosting
• Smothered with Instant Pot Dulce De Leche 

Storage Instructions

Store your cake mix brownies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days.

Do Cake Mix Brownies Freeze Well?

Yes! These brownies can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Once they’ve cooled completely, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag (I like to use parchment paper to separate the layers) and place them in the freezer for safekeeping.

Thaw the brownies at room temperature before serving. You can even pop them in the microwave once they’ve defrosted, for an exceptionally gooey chocolate treat!

More Decadent Treats to Try

• Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• Ice Cream Cupcakes
• Brownie In A Mug
• Cheesecake Brownies
• Cookie Dough Brownie Truffles

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©/® The J.M. Smucker Company. Pillsbury is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, LLC, used under license. 

I was compensated for this post by The J.M Smucker Company, but of course all opinions are expressly my own.