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Kicked Up Ultimate Boxed Brownies

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A simple easy way to take boxed brownies to a scrumptious new level by adding a few pantry ingredients! This is sure to become a new favorite bar dessert recipe!

Confessions of a mediocre baker…I say mediocre because I feel like you have to go to pastry school in France to be considered a truly GREAT baker! (This could be my pathetic attempt to get a free trip to France…just sayin’!)

Brownies

I’ve always been a bit of a “boxed” mix snob! Especially when it came to brownies! I was seriously convinced that there wasn’t a boxed brownie mix, with a million miles, that could surpass my “scratch” brownie mix. Yep! Snob is the appropriate word!

Then IT happened! It was a Sunday afternoon, we just got home from church, and I needed a dessert QUICK! I threw open the pantry and all I had was a Betty Crocker Original Brownie Mix! A gift someone had given me at Christmas.  (Remember… I was a boxed brownie snob…no way I purchased it!)

 I actually stood there, holding it in my hand, looking at it with loathing! Surely there had to be another option? Nope…it was this, or left over Christmas Candy Canes.

I swallowed hard and went to work…because if we were going to have brownies from a box…by golly they were going to be “French Pastry Chef” quality boxed brownies!

The results? My cupboard is now stocked with boxed brownie mix…need I say more?

I’m almost embarrassed to share this recipe…if it wasn’t for the fact that they are so stinkin’ amazing I probably wouldn’t… but the world NEEDS this knowledge! (You’re welcome world!)

How To Make Kicked Up Ultimate Boxed Brownies

You will need one Betty Crocker Brownie mix. You can do either Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate. Works just as well with either one.

If your goal is a chocolate coma to obliterate your reality… I say go Dark! The richer, the better. Follow the directions on the box for making “Cake” like brownies. Which is code for “Add another egg”.

Tip: Be sure if you are at a higher altitude to make the appropriate changes.

Brownie Mix with eggs, water and oil in mixing bowl

Once the batter is mixed per the boxes instructions… Add… One handful of Kraft caramel bites and One handful of dark semi-sweet chocolates.

I know… you exact measurement O.C.D. folks just moaned! So, let me help ya out…about 1/3 cup full of each! However, this is not an exact science friends.

I seriously just reached into my jars…(Yes… I have jars of chocolate chips and caramel bites. Doesn’t everyone? Lol)…and added a handful of each.

Mix that together until just combined.

Brownie mix with chocolate chips and caramel bits

Pour into a sprayed 8 x 8 inch pan.

8 x 8 baking dish sprayed and filled with brownie batter

Sprinkle 1/2 cup to 3/4 a cup (depends on how nutty you are) of chopped pecans to the top of your brownies.

Pop those into the oven at 325 °F and bake for 30 minutes or until the center is done. (Mine take about 40 minutes, but I have a funky oven!)

Tip: Since you can’t really test these brownies with the “clean knife” rule…because they are loaded with ooey-gooey caramel and melted chocolate chips…make sure that the center rises, and it does not jiggle when you move the dish around.

Chopped Pecans added to brownie mix in baking dish

Remove from oven and allow to cool for approximately .0003 seconds before you are overcome by a total chocolate attack and have to dig in! (That’s a joke folks!)

Seriously…ALLOW them to cool for about 10 minutes! That caramel is pretty gosh darn hot!

Aren’t those beautiful brownies…from a BOX?!!!! The edge has a slight crisp to it and the top has a slight crackle. The pecans are perfectly toasted!

Let’s take a look at the insides…because the true test of a great brownie is what’s happening inside!

Ultimate Kicked Up Brownie Mix done baking

Does this brownie have just the right amount of moist crumb? You better believe it does! If I’m sharing a recipe that calls for a box…trust me when I say…they are perfect in every single aspect possible.

They are moist but not wet! They are packed with the most unbelievable chocolate flavor with a hint of melted caramel!  They melt in your mouth!

Let’s pause for a moment while you take in that PERFECT “flake” on top of those brownies!!! Who wants one? I think we all do. Good News…you can have them ready in a matter of minutes!

Ultimate Kicked Up Boxed Brownies cut and stacked

Well, there ya have it! How I became a Boxed Brownie convert! At least once a week Mars asks me to make a batch of these brownies!

He isn’t even a real “sweet eater” so you know they have to be AMAZING! You can kick them up even more by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup!

When I open my little café and boutique on beautiful Main Street…(I have mini Pioneer Woman dreams)…I’m serving these brownies! They are THAT delicious!

Here are some of my other Favorite Easy Bar Cookie Recipes

Sometimes we all need to be reminded, including yours truly, that the simplest of things can be the very BEST! Enjoy!

Norines Photo and signature
Yield: 9 servings

Kicked Up Ultimate Boxed Brownies

Ultimate Kicked Up Boxed Brownies

Boxed Brownie Mix gets Kicked Up with this simple and amazing recipe. Seriously the BEST brownie's EVER!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Inactive Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix
  • 3 Tablespoons water
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup Kraft caramel bites
  • 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 325°F for glass 8 x 8 pan. Grease bottom of pan.
  2. Stir brownie mix, water, oil, and egg in medium bowl until well blended.
  3. Add in 1/3 cup of caramel bites and 1/3 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
  4. Spread in pan.
  5. Sprinkle top of brownie mix with pecans.
  6. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until center rises and brownies are set.
  7. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before cutting.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9 servings

Serving Size:

1 brownie

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 271Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 4g

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Alli

Sunday 13th of January 2019

I made this and I used just nuts didn't have the carmel but the nuts alone are not bad at all I used pecan cashews and almonds I toasted the nuts in a pan with honey until carmelized to be sure I had sweetness I used butter with oil and the extra egg . I did 350 for 15 mins then 340 for five then back to 350 37 mins my last five I turn oven off to finish the cooking in the middle They are good not very sweet I sprinkled powder sugar on top and will add some Carmel and chocolate drizzles on top this recipe is good if your not for sweet sweet I added more nuts than the law allowed in a nut fan I would suggest adding more honey when Browning the nuts it will help balance in no Baker but this was easy and good and I'll use it every time and add her and take there next ones bandana but brownies. Thanks for a easy good recipe AlliJ

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Monday 14th of January 2019

Hi Alli! Thanks so much for sharing your changes! Sounds wonderful. Hope you can try them with the caramel as I think you'll be surprised how "sweet" they can really be with that addition. Hope you're having a fantastic New Year! Happy Nesting! ~Norine

The Better Baker

Saturday 22nd of April 2017

YUM OH YUM OH YUM! I adore dressing up boxed mixes...this sounds absolutely perfect to me. I'm such a caramel fanatic! A perfect match for chocolate! Thanks for sharing your lovely creation.

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Sunday 23rd of April 2017

Hi Marsha! You are so sweet! Thank you for your kind words. I completely agree about the caramel and chocolate match! A pair made in heaven for sure! ;) These sincerely are the BEST brownies I have ever had and I love that they start out with a box mix! Have a fantastic Sunday! Thanks for visiting my Nest! ~ Norine

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