Better Than Boxed Chocolate Fudge Brownies

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Yes that’s right, these chocolate fudge brownies rival the tried-and-true, the classic, the childhood (and adult) favorite box mix brownies. Dare I call these the best fudge brownies? They’re that perfect balance between not too cakey and not too fudgy with a silky smooth texture similar to boxed brownies…only BETTER!

What makes box brownies so good?

Seriously though, it’s a mysterious chocolate powder, oil, water, and eggs. Why is it so good??

The magic is in the texture. It has that paper thin crinkly top and a silky smooth texture. It’s not cakey, it’s not fudgy, it’s just in its own league. All that oil doesn’t hurt either.

When I was recipe testing these brownies, I did not intend on making them so similar to boxed brownies. But after one bite, I instantly recognized that texture. I ran to the store and picked up a box of brownie mix just to be sure!

What makes THESE the best brownies?

When comparing the two side by side, I was blown away. They were the exact same density, color, and texture. The only difference is the intensity of the chocolate and overall richness. For my recipe, it has a slightly deeper chocolate flavor due to the use of both real chocolate and cocoa powder.

My brownies also have that same airy quality to them as box mix brownies, but with a more dense texture. This is mainly due to two steps in this recipe:

1. Whipping the sugar and eggs together to aerate the egg whites for a super smooth texture and crinkly top.
2. Dropping the pan against the counter halfway through baking.

The whipped eggs create that light texture, while the pan banging condenses all of that down into a more dense consistency. Thus create a not too cakey, not too fudgy brownie!

How to make chocolate fudge brownies

For the longest time, I struggled with baking brownies. They were either too fluffy and cake-like or way too ooey gooey for my liking. Luckily, I discovered a couple tricks that totally changed my brownie game!

First, melt your chocolate, butter, and oil in a bowl over a pot of simmering water.

We’re using two different types of chocolate here, bittersweet and milk chocolate. The two create a very similar chocolate flavor to box mix brownies that’s slightly richer and deeper.

Next, sift together all of your dry ingredients (flour, salt, cocoa powder, and cornstarch). The cornstarch gives that tender chew that boxed brownies have.

The first game changing trick is to whip your eggs and sugar together. Whip them on high until light and fluffy. This is called the “ribbon” stage which gives your brownies a super silky texture and that paper thin crust on top. You’re essentially making a meringue to create that crackly layer.

Mix in your chocolate and then FOLD in the dry ingredients. Folding ensures you don’t overwork the batter, leading to tough brownies.

The most game changing brownie trick is to drop the brownie pan against the counter halfway through baking. This is how you get that not quite cakey, not quite fudgy texture.

Pan banging brownies

Lets elaborate on that last step because it’s a very important one! It’s to secret to getting a perfectly dense brownie, one that doesn’t puff up in the center or edges while baking.

While your brownies bake, you’ll notice the edges start to puff up. This is what leads to that cakey texture that we’re not going for here.

To get that density, take the brownies out of the oven halfway through baking. Drop the pan against the counter a couple times and you’ll see the entire tray deflate. And when I say drop, I mean to just life the brownies up a few inches off the counter and drop them down. It should only take about 5-7 drops before they’re completely leveled out.

If using a glass baking dish, make sure to drop it against a towel to prevent any cracking or breaking.

Pop the brownies back into the oven to finish baking and they’ll come out nice and even. It’s also how you get those pretty cracks on top!

Allowing the brownies to cool

Unlike box mix brownies, it’s important to allow these homemade brownies to cool completely before slicing into them. This goes for just about any brownie recipe because there are a few ingredients that need to settle and solidify before digging in.

If you try to cut these brownie when they’re still warm, it will be like digging to a lava cake…unless that’s what you’re going for! The brownies won’t hold their shape and you’ll likely have to eat them with a spoon.

Allowing the brownies to cool completely gives the butter and chocolate a chance to come up to room temp, returning back to a more solid consistency.

To test and see if they’re ready to slice, make sure the pan is no longer warm to the touch – including the bottom.

You could also try and lift the brownies out of the pan by the parchment paper overhang. If they start to bend as you lift, they’re still too soft to cut into. Speed up the process by popping them in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

The best way to cleanly cut brownies

Once the brownies have cooled, grab the biggest knife you have, preferably one that’s the length of the entire pan of brownies. Cut straight down in one swift motion right down the center of the brownies, rather than dragging the knife through it. The dragging motion picks up crumbs along the way, preventing a nice and smooth cut.

Between each cut, wipe off your knife with a damp paper towel. Any remaining crumbs will grab onto the brownies as you’re cutting, leading to a messy edge.

Make one cut down the middle of the pan, then down the middle of each half. That’s the best way to ensure even brownie squares!

Another option is to use a pizza cutter. Give it a quick sprits with some nonstick spray and run it across the brownies. This is a great alternative if you don’t have a large enough knife.

How best to keep brownies fresh

Luckily for these brownies, their fudge texture helps keep them tasting fresh for days. But to ensure they stay just as delicious as day one, here are some tips to ensure they last:

1. To really keep them fresh, refrain from cutting the entire pan and only slice off what you need. Keeping the rest of the pan in tact limits the amount of air entering the brownies. Cover the pan in plastic wrap and store at room temp.
2. If sliced, they will keep in an air tight container at room temp for up to 3-4 days. Store them with a slice of bread to keep that moist texture!
3. Store the sliced brownies in an air tight container in the fridge (without the bread) for up to 10 days.

But chances are, these brownies won’t stick around along!

For even more brownie recipes:

• Salted Caramel Brownies
• Salted Dark Chocolate Brownies
• Skillet Brownies (GF/DF)
• Brown Butter Brownies

Make sure to tag me @butternutbakery on Instagram if you make these better than boxed chocolate fudge brownies. I love seeing my recipes come to life in YOUR kitchen! To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card, the buttons above or below this post, or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!

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