The best bakery-style brownies come from a box? These do! With the right ingredients, you can elevate simple boxed brownie mix into a moist, fudgy, decadent explosion of chocolate flavor. This bakery brownie recipe will become your new go-to!
I mostly baked from scratch at my bakery, but I found that box brownies offer unbeatable consistency and texture, especially in a busy bakery environment. After upgrading the mix with high-quality ingredients, I've had people tell me these are the best brownies they've ever had!
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If they're good enough for my busy bakery, they're certainly good enough for you. They have a deep chocolate flavor, a chewy texture, and that thin little crackle on top. Serve them with a scoop of ice cream for the best brownie sundae ever. They're a true chocolate lover's dream!
This post is sponsored by Nuts.com. We're using Nuts.com ingredients to upgrade traditional brownie mix into amazing bakery-style brownies!
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Equipment Checklist
This is a very easy brownie recipe, but you still need the right equipment. Fortunately, most of us already have a 9x13 metal pan on hand, so that part's easy. You may be new to Instant Clearjel, though. It's a must!
I love that this recipe makes enough for a larger cake pan. Great for entertaining or bake sales!
This is an ingredient, but it's also a vital piece of equipment. It will give your brownies a dreamy, fudgy center unlike anything else.
This dark Dutch-processed cocoa powder will add a deeper, richer flavor than natural cocoa powder. It's a must!
Why These Bakery-Style Brownies Stand Out
It's all about the perfect blend of flavors and textures:
- An extra thick texture is achieved with 2 brownie mixes and the addition of Nuts.com's Instant Clearjel. The instant clearjel stabilizes the brownies and allows them to retain more moisture, making them extra soft and chewy. These are definitely not dry brownies! I've relied on Nuts.com Instant Clearjel in my cake and cookie recipes for years, and it never disappoints. For home bakers, a 1lb bag is a great long-lasting option, but if you're running a bakery, you can stock up with their bulk sizes-they offer a 25# case!
- Dark chocolate chunks and chopped pecans add a satisfying crunch and lots of extra flavor.
- Nuts.com Dutch cocoa powder brings a deep, rich chocolate flavor. They're still plenty sweet, but the dark chocolate balances the sweetness in these easy homemade brownies. They're truly the perfect brownie - delicious, fudgy, and super easy to make!
- By using box brownie mix, you don't have to worry about measuring out your all purpose flour or making sure your baking powder is active. These are super easy brownies and they come together so quickly!
Ingredients
This recipe is all about using the right ingredients, especially Instant Clearjel! It absorbs tons of moisture, which allows you to make super tender, fudgy brownies without them becoming soggy or mushy. It's truly the secret to the perfect fudge brownies, the best bakery-style cakes, cookies, and more!
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Water
- Boxed brownie mixes
- Dark Dutch cocoa powder
- Instant Clearjel
- Dark chocolate bars
- Chopped pecans (optional, but recommended)
Step by Step Video
If you'd prefer to watch instead of read, here's the video of me making this bakery brownie recipe. You can also watch it here on my Youtube Channel.
Variations
- Try a different nut. Black walnuts or hazelnuts pair wonderfully with chocolate, too.
- Use different boxed brownie mixes. Each brand is slightly different, and you might find you prefer one brand over another.
- Add extra flavor. This recipe doesn't call for an extract, but you can certainly add 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite extract (almond would be great) or add a tablespoon of espresso powder, a couple of teaspoons of cinnamon, etc. There are lots of ways to modify the original recipe to make it your own.
- Make mint chocolate brownies. Add 1-2 teaspoon of mint extract and replace the dark chocolate bars with mint dark chocolate bars or Andes candies!
Storage
- Store these brownies at room temperature in an airtight container or freezer bag to keep them soft and fresh for several days.
- For longer storage, freeze the brownies in an airtight container. For easy serving, feel free to wrap each one in plastic wrap.
Key Recipe Notes
- Parchment paper will help prevent the edges of your brownies from overbrowning and becoming crispy. It also makes it easier to remove the brownies from the pan, so each slice has a professional, bakery-style appearance.
- The Instant Clearjel makes these brownies extra soft and chewy, so we want to bake them until the center is done to prevent under-done brownies. These brownies are done when they pass the toothpick test (a toothpick comes out clean in the center of the brownies). Watch out for melted chocolate chunks that may be deceiving.
Are you convinced yet? I promise these chewy, fudgy bakery-style brownies will be your new favorite! They couldn't get much easier, either. You just need the right ingredients, and thankfully, Nuts.com makes that super easy.
If you want to receive all of my bakery-tested recipes in your inbox, subscribe to my email updates! You can also tag @amycakesbakes in any of your photos on social media. I love to see what my readers make. Happy Baking!
Thanks for Reading. ❤️
📖 Recipe & Step-by-Step Instructions
Easy Bakery-Style Brownies (Super thick, soft and chewy)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 18.3 oz brownie mixes (choose family-size mixes that are meant for 9x13 pans. I used Duncan Hines)
- 2 Tablespoons Dark Dutch Cocoa Powder
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Instant Clearjel
- 2 3 oz Dark Chocolate bars (chopped into chunks)
- ¾ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 cake pan with parchment paper on the bottom and sides.
- In a very large bowl, whisk together the 2 brownie mixes, instant clearjel, and dark dutch cocoa powder.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until very smooth, then mix in the vegetable oil and water.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients, and fold the two together using large strokes. Continue to fold until there are no streaks of dry ingredients (avoid overmixing).
- Fold in 1⁄2 of the chopped chocolate bar and 1⁄2 of the chopped pecans (if using), then spread the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chunks and chopped pecans over the top of the brownies.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 325 degrees. Bake for an additional 35-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean throughout. (Baking time will vary depending on the oven and pan used, so use a toothpick or pairing knife to test the center of the brownies for doneness. Allow to cool completely before serving. These brownies have the best texture the next day or after cooling for at least 3 hours. Enjoy!
