How to Elevate Boxed Brownies for Valentine’s Day
In honor of National "Have a Brownie" Day coinciding with Valentine's Week, let’s talk brownies! Sometimes, you just want a rich, fudgy treat without the hassle of baking from scratch—so here are a few of my favorite ways to elevate boxed brownies and make them feel extra special!
Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients:
1 boxed brownie mix with eggs, melted butter or oil, and water amounts according to package
3 oz cream cheese, room temperature
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 egg yolk, room temperature
1/4 cup raspberry jam
Instructions (yields 16 brownies):
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
Whisk eggs, melted butter, and water together until smooth and incorporated. Fold in the boxed brownie mix with a spatula until combined.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to spread the batter evenly to the edges.
In a mixing bowl combine the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and egg yolk together and beat with a hand mixer. Beat until smooth and no lumps remain.
Drop big dollops of the cheesecake mixture and spoonfuls of jam on top of the brownies. Use a butter knife or a chopstick to make big swirls.
Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a brownie comes out mostly clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Slice and enjoy!
Red Wine Brownies
Ingredients:
1 box brownie mix with eggs and melted butter or oil amounts according to package
Sub water for red wine (1:1)
Instructions (yields 16 brownies):
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
Whisk eggs, melted butter, and red wine together until smooth and incorporated. Fold in the boxed brownie mix with a spatula until combined.
Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a brownie comes out mostly clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Slice and enjoy!
Espresso Brownies
Ingredients:
1 boxed brownie mix with eggs, melted butter or oil, and water amounts according to package
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp instant coffee or espresso powder
Instructions (yields 16 brownies):
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
Whisk eggs, melted butter, water, and vanilla extract together until smooth and incorporated. Fold in the boxed brownie mix and espresso powder with a spatula until combined.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to spread the batter evenly to the edges.
Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a brownie comes out mostly clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Slice and enjoy!
Double Chocolate Cherry Brownies
Ingredients:
1 boxed brownie mix with eggs, melted butter or oil, and water amounts according to package
1 and 1/2 cup cherries, rinsed and halved
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions (yields 16 brownies):
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
Whisk eggs, melted butter, and water together until smooth and incorporated. Add the boxed brownie mix and mix until combined.
Fold in 1 cup of cherries and the dark chocolate chips with a spatula.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to spread the batter evenly to the edges. Top the brownie batter with the remaining 1/2 cup of cherries.
Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a brownie comes out mostly clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Slice and enjoy!
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