Key Takeaways
All three chefs agree that Ghirardelli makes the best store-bought brownie mix, thanks to its rich chocolate flavor, fudgy texture, and use of real cocoa and chocolate.When choosing a brownie mix, chefs recommend looking for short ingredient lists, real chocolate near the top, and mixes that call for more than just water to ensure better flavor and texture.Ghirardelli mixes are versatile and forgiving, making them easy to upgrade with simple tweaks like swapping oil for butter, adding mix-ins, or using the batter in creative desserts beyond classic brownies.
With the holidays in full swing, it’s time to bake our favorite festive desserts. And if you’re a self-proclaimed chocolate lover, this likely involves brownies. Fortunately, brownie mixes are widely available in supermarkets, and there are so many types to choose from. But if you’re looking for the best brownie mix for a top-notch dessert, which one should you pick?
Though nothing tastes better than brownies made from scratch, store-bought mixes are super convenient, making it easy to prepare a last-minute treat during the holiday season and beyond. So, we asked three chefs to share what you should look for when buying brownie mixes, along with their favorite brownie mix.
Jurgen David, pastry chef and director of pastry research and development at the Institute of Culinary Education
Megan Garrelts, co-owner and executive pastry chef of Rye Restaurants and Cornflower Baked Goods
Keesha O’Galdez, chef and founder of Live Loud Foods and Gourmet Diva Personal Chef Services
What to Look for When Buying Brownie Mix
The next time you’re shopping for brownie mix, take a tip from chef Keesha O’Galdez and check the ingredients list first. “Fewer ingredients is usually a good sign,” says O’Galdez, who looks for products with real cocoa or chocolate, rather than a heavy reliance on artificial flavors. The cocoa or chocolate should also appear early on in the list, as this indicates there’s more of it.
Another feature to watch out for? A chocolate fudge or syrup packet included in the mix, per Garrelts. These “can be folded in to enhance both chewiness and flavor,” Garrelts explains.
On that note, you’ll want to avoid brownie mixes that only call for water. These mixes yield flat-tasting brownies, according to pastry chef Jurgen David.
The Best Brownie Mix, According to Chefs
With those factors in mind, these chefs unanimously agree that Ghirardelli makes the best brownie mix.
“Ghirardelli stands out because it prioritizes chocolate flavor first,” says O’Galdez. “The inclusion of real chocolate chips and higher-quality cocoa gives the brownies a deeper, more balanced richness compared to many mainstream mixes that skew overly sweet or one-dimensional,” O’Galdez adds. Similarly, Garrelts calls out the brand’s brownie mix ingredients, noting that Ghirardelli uses fewer artificial flavors and preservatives than many standard boxed brands.
For David, Ghirardelli brownies stand out for their texture. “Althoguh Ghirardelli is a typically slightly more expensive than conventional boxed mixes, the superior flavor and texture reflect the added value,” Garrelts adds.
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Walmart
As for the product’s usability? It’s very forgiving. “The batter comes together easily, the texture is consistently fudgy, and it performs well even with small tweaks, like browning the butter, swapping in espresso, or reducing bake time slightly,” O’Galdez shares. In other words, Ghirardelli boxed brownie mix is easy to use, even if you’re not a baking whiz.
Being the gourmet chocolate company it is, Ghirardelli offers a range of brownie mixes. They’re all delicious, but if you need a recommendation, Garrelts consistently reaches for the Ultimate Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix. It includes both chocolate syrup and chocolate chips, which creates an exceptionally soft, ultra-fudgy texture and a decadent chocolate flavor. “The richness is impressive for a boxed mix, and the added chocolate components give it a depth and silkiness that tastes close to homemade,” Garrelts explains. Meanwhile, David is a fan of the Ghirardelli Double Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix, thanks to its intense chocolate flavor and shiny top crust.
How to Use Brownie Mix
Brownie mix is perfect for making, well, brownies! But if you want to upgrade the dessert or use it in another recipe, you’re in luck. Here are creative, alternative ways to use brownie mix, as shared by professional chefs.
Replace the Oil With Butter: When preparing brownie mix, swap out the oil for melted butter, as suggested by David. This will provide an extra-decadent flavor.
Add Toppings: “Add chopped nuts or dried fruit, like apricot or candied ginger,” says David.
Make Breakfast: “Use the batter in a waffle iron for chocolate waffles,” says Garrelts. You can also thin it with buttermilk, fold in chocolate chips, and make double-chocolate pancakes, she notes.
Incorporate Flavorful Ingredients: “Add a shot of your favorite whiskey to the batter for the grown-ups, or even better, add brandied cherries,” David says. You can also top it with a graham cracker crumble and mini marshmallows for a s’mores-inspired variation, according to Garrelts.
Fold Into Ice Cream: “If you omit the egg in the mix, you can also safely fold the batter into softened ice cream for a brownie batter swirl,” says Garretts, who compares the flavor to Ben & Jerry’s Brownie Batter Core.
Layer With Other Desserts: Crumble the baked brownies and layer them in trifles, parfaits, or ice cream sundaes, per O’Galdez. Another idea is to layer and bake it with cookie dough for classic brookies, per Garrelts.
Dining and Cooking