What can I add to a boxed brownie mix to make it more 'bakeshop' in taste/look?

[Northernlites]

This is for an office Christmas party

 

[Alesia]

Use strong coffee in place of the water and swirl in some caramel sauce.

 

[Thing 1]

Throw in a handful of chocolate chips or a handful of pecans or other nuts.

 

[havaneselover]

Use strong coffee in place of the water and swirl in some caramel sauce.

Does that make it taste like coffee?

 

[TwoMisfits]

I've swirled caramel sauce into the brownies before baking (make sure you spray liberally or use parchment paper) and I've also added candy (chopped peanut butter cups, etc) and chips (triple chocolate - dark/milk/white and peanut butter).

 

[chris31997]

Use butter instead of oil, add an extra egg, add vanilla, and like others mentioned chocolate chips and peanut butter

 

[Alesia]

Does that make it taste like coffee?

Yes

 

[msmama]

Make the boxed mix, but just before it's done, put some peppermint patties on top. When the peppermint patties get all melty, spread like frosting (I find the small peppermint patties work best). I don't like brownies myself, but I've gotten TONS of compliments on these over the years!!!

 

[SMD]

Just buy a good boxed mix. My family loves the Ghirardelli triple chocolate mix. Good Housekeeping says that the Betty Crocker triple chocolate mix is good too.

 

[Alexle2007]

I make brownies on a regular basis for the teachers at my son's school. I always use Betty Crocker (tastes great and I get a much needed box top so win win) and then if I want to spice them up just add peanut butter to them. You could also crush candy canes and mix it in.

 

[leebee]

Make cheesecake swirled brownies- they are amazing!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/16607/cheesecake-brownies/

Or make a regular box brownie, then frost with white buttercream frosting and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. When I do this, I follow the recipe for cake-like brownies, and make my own frosting (butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla). They are really yummy and very festive for the holidays!

 

[unrequited23]

I sub melted butter for oil, coffee for water and add in an extra tsp of vanilla and a 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips. In my opinion the coffee doesn't make the brownies taste like coffee, but then again I am a coffee drinker.

 

[Lvsdisney]

Smores brownies... make the mix, about 1/2 way through the baking time, on top put mini marshmallows, graham crackers (broken up) and chocolate pieces (I break up a few hershey bars). Put back in over for time remaining.

 

[Eureka]

Smores brownies... make the mix, about 1/2 way through the baking time, on top put mini marshmallows, graham crackers (broken up) and chocolate pieces (I break up a few hershey bars). Put back in over for time remaining.

That was EXACTLY what I was coming on here to post! But sometimes I stir crushed up graham crackers right into the batter.

 

[McKelly]

How about adding Nutella?

 

[Kenny1113]

Just buy a good boxed mix. My family loves the Ghirardelli triple chocolate mix. Good Housekeeping says that the Betty Crocker triple chocolate mix is good too.

This is my recommendation too. We always make ghiradelli brownies. They don't need anything added to them. I made them for work one time and added extra ghiradelli chocolate chips. They were a hit!! One time I bought Betty Crocker they were not much to look at.

 

[marthachick]

Make brownies. When cool, top with chocolate frosting. Personally I prefer milk chocolate brownies and frosting.

 

[DLgal]

Powered sugar on top will make them look fancy. Do it within an hour of serving them

 

[sheetz]

You can make brownie cupcakes and use a piping bag to give them a swirl of icing on top. Top with sprinkles, nuts, chocolate shavings, berries. etc.

 

[My3Princez]

I love putting 1/2 the batter in the pan, then a layer of either peppermint patties or peanut butter cups (smoosh them nice and flat first) and then top with the remaining batter. Always been a huge hit with everyone.