With only 5 ingredients, this Cake Mix Brownies recipe is the easiest brownies recipe ever! It’s the perfect excuse to make fudgy brownies all the time!.
Love ooey-gooey fudgy brownies? Try my Bombshell Oreo Brownies next!
My Easiest Ever Cake Mix Brownies
Brownies are easily one of most popular desserts in my house…and the fudgier the better. I have a really great recipe for *from scratch fudgy brownies here on my site already, which are absolutely fantastic, but sometimes you just want a shortcut!
These cake mix brownies are one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make. I know, you’re probably thinking, “Cake mix? Why not just use a brownie mix?” Sure, you could. I mean my Cake Mix Cookies recipe is one of the most popular recipes here on my website! But this is a recipe when that chocolate craving hits and you might not have a brownie mix in your pantry! AND I do have to say, cake mix brownies are different in the way that they are SUPER fudgy! The moist, gooey chocolatey chew that comes with making brownies from chocolate cake mix is super unique!
When it comes to a quick dessert to make for potlucks, cookouts, or just because, you really can’t go wrong with a batch of these ridiculously rich, chocolatey, (almost) from-scratch homemade brownies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
So, why make brownies with a boxed chocolate cake mix?
- So easy. This cake mix recipe cuts the ingredients list for normal brownies in half. It takes just 2 steps and you’ll have perfect brownies ready in no time.
- Super fudgy. Chocolate cake mix and adds another dimension of soft, gooey texture to these unbelievably moist and chocolatey brownies. They’re also filled with chocolate chunks!
- Crowd-pleasing. I take these brownies everywhere, and they’re always gone from the plate in minutes. It’s 100% the last-minute dessert you need in your life!
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: I use vegetable oil (or another neutral oil, like canola) in place of butter to give these brownies an ultra-tender texture.
- 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 from Cake Mix
These brownies are quick to make in about two steps (you heard right), with 5 ingredients and one bowl. Here’s how to make moist, fudgy cake mix brownies:
- 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. It’s as simple as that!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
This cake mix brownies recipe is practically fail-proof in every sense of the word! Still, baking is a science, and there are a few things to keep in mind when making perfect brownies (with a shortcut or not):
- 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!
- Don’t overbake. Overbaking chocolate brownies can lead to dense, chewy, tough brownies that are dry in the middle. To check if your brownies are done, insert a toothpick about 1-2 inches from the edge of the pan (not the middle). If the toothpick comes out clean with a few crumbs, those brownies are ready.
- 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 and Variation Ideas
Like many brownie recipes, this version leaves loads of room for customizing! Here are just some possibilities for add-in ideas:
- Nuts: Add crushed nuts like peanuts, roasted hazelnuts, pecans, or walnuts to the mix.
- Marshmallows: Give your brownies s’mores vibes and stir mini marshmallows into the batter. Or, top them with marshmallow creme and a sprinkle of graham crackers.
- Different Chocolate Chips: In place of Hershey’s Baking Melts, add regular chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or toffee pieces.
- Dried Fruit: Add in dried cranberries, apricots, or pineapple chunks.
- Candy: M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, or another bite-sized candy (or chop up your favorite candy bars to add in!). For a holiday spin, stir 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. I also like to dust my fudgy brownies with a bit of powdered sugar, just ‘cause.
You can also serve these brownies drizzled with Caramel Sauce or Dulce De Leche. Or, top your brownies with berry coulis or Easy Homemade Strawberry Syrup. For an extra indulgent chocolate dessert, try frosting them with Chocolate Frosting or a simple Buttercream Frosting!
How to Store Homemade Brownies
Store your cake mix brownies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days.
Can I Freeze Cake Mix Brownies?
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!
Print
Fudgy Cake Mix Brownies
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easiest-ever Cake Mix Brownies recipe is super fudgy, ultra-moist, and the perfect excuse to make homemade brownies every week!
Ingredients
- 1 (15- ounce) box chocolate cake mix
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 10 ounces chocolate chunks (about 1 1/4 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and coat with nonstick spray, set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, vegetable oil, milk, and egg with a rubber spatula until combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely int he pan before cutting into squares. The center might seem underdone, but as the brownies set, they will be fine!
Notes
store airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 138
- Sugar: 11.5 g
- Sodium: 29.1 mg
- Fat: 9.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.8 g
- Protein: 2.3 g
- Cholesterol: 12.4 mg
Want To Save This Recipe?
Find more recipes like this:
More Must-Try Cake Mix Recipes
- Chocolate Poke Cake
- Ridiculous Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Earthquake Cake
- Strawberry Cake Mix Cake Pops
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
PIN for later:
Oh Lawdy these are great. I just took them out of the oven a bit ago and couldn’t wait for them to cool completely. I’ve only sampled the edge but dang they’re good! I MIGHT have put in more chocolate chips than the recipe calls for (which is pretty much what I do with every recipe…never enough chocolate chips for me). So good. I really want to try this with a yellow cake mix. I bet it would be amazing!
Edit: I didn’t have milk on hand so I had to use water. But they were still delicious!
Breanna… I Always keep a can of evaporated milk on hand, in case a recipe calls for milk/cream, and I haven’t Any.
Has anyone tried this? Did you go with the 8×8 or a different size? A regular cake mix makes a 9×13, so wondering how they turned out.
I did 8×8 and it was great! (Hey, that rhymed!)
Wow these were surprisingly really good! I had a just expired chocolate cake mix that I wanted to use up – didn’t want to make a cake w frosting etc & so googled & found this recipe. With ingredients I already had I whipped it up in a few & it was really good! I was a little worried after seeing some other comments saying it would not set which was strange as my batter was realllly thick – baked it 20 mins exact in my convection oven & it was prefect in the center , definitely cooked.
I added about 1/2 tablespoon of instant coffee & 1 tablespoon of hot chocolate mix – just in hopes of offsetting the boxed cake mix flavor. I could def taste the coffee & I liked it. I don’t think it changed the consistency of the batter as it was so little extra dry ingredients but if you are worried just take out 1 tablespoon of the cake mix.
I say try it! I liked it better than boxed brownies!
Happy accident: I accidently switched the amounts for the milk and oil. Followed everything else exactly (I used toffee chips instead of chocolate because toffee is love) and just crossed my fingers hoping for the best.
You know the texture of lava cakes when they are slightly overcooked? The batter doesn’t flow but it is only just barely gathered? That’s how these were. I could still hold it like a bar brownie, no fork required, but otherwise it was a dense, moist, rich, glorious thing.
Sometimes being in a hurry works out!
(Sometimes not. LOL)
I’m back with a follow up comment! I found a solution to the undercooked batter problem. I cooked them for 32 minutes instead of 20, then shut the oven off but left the pan in for another 10 minutes. It came out still seeming a bit wet but after about a half an hour of standing, everything had firmed up. The corners and bottom were not burnt and having now cut them up, I can confirm that the better is cooked through. If you’re having the same problem I did, give this a try. 🙂
I have a 12kg sack of cake mix I’m trying to use up how much cake mix qualifies as a ‘box’?
Thank you
Theresa UK
15.25 ounces or 432 grams
Made this with dark chocolate cake mix and chocolate chips. Batter seemed a bit dry so I added more milk and a touch more oil. They came out cakey, not chewy like brownies. Tasted ok warm from the oven, but I’m afraid they’ll be dry when they cool. Wonder what they’d be like if you added chocolate syrup in the batter…?
“I changed the recipe and it was bad!” Get it together, Lori.
I just can’t get enough of these brownies. My family says they were the best brownies that I’ve ever made {& I’ve tried alot of recipes} Thanks so much
I made this with King Arthur Gluten Free Chocolate cake mix and it was fabulous! I used the recipe exactly as presented – just needed to cook about 10 mins more (total 30 mins). The batter was VERY thick but came out perfectly.
Love hearing this!! Thank you!
I didn’t have any issues at all. Followed the recipe exactly.