It is no secret that the Ghirardelli brownie mix recipe is the pinnacle of all boxed brownie mixes.
With its rich, chocolatey flavor and fudgy composition, it’s the gold standard.
So don’t bother with from-scratch. These easy Ghirardelli brownies are world-class!
Ghirardelli Brownie Mix Recipe
Simplicity is key in this recipe. The boxed brownie mix does all the work for you! All you have to do is add the wet ingredients and bake.
There’s no need to worry about them being too cakey or dry. By using a store-bought mix, you’ll troubleshoot these potential issues!
Moist, decadent, and chewy, they’re absolute perfection. Every brownie is incredibly fudgy and bursting with chocolate flavor.
So work smarter, not harder. These Ghirardelli brownies are even better than baking from scratch!
Ingredients
So, what do you need to prepare these infamous brownies? Fortunately, the recipe only calls for four simple ingredients!
- Ghirardelli Brownie Mix – The star of the show! This brownie mix contains all of your dry ingredients, already pre-measured. Most of the work is done for you!
- Vegetable Oil – This oil is a favorite for baking because of its mild flavor. It does not change the taste of the treat while still providing all of the necessary fats the recipe needs.
- Water – Pull some straight from the tap, and you are good to go!
- Egg – Farm fresh or store-bought; all you need is one egg for this recipe. The recipe works best if the egg is at room temperature.
Tips for the Best Brownies
As promised, we have some tips and tricks to ensure your brownies are the BEST brownies. There aren’t any second-rate treats around here!
- Mind your ratios and baking. There is nothing more disappointing than a hard brownie! Avoid this baker’s faux pas by properly measuring your wet ingredients and not over-cooking your brownies.
- Do a toothpick test. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the tray. A few moist morsels should stick, but it shouldn’t look like batter. Completely clean also means your brownies may be overdone!
- Make them thick. For thicker brownies, pour the batter into a smaller pan. This will hold the batter in tighter and allow your brownies to cook taller.
Add-ins for Ghirardelli Brownies
The only thing that could make these brownies better are the perfect add-ins.
This will be different for each individual. So customize these brownies with your favorite. Here are some ideas:
- Nuts– Walnuts, peanuts, even cashews would be a great add-in to these brownies. If you are seeking a salty crunch, toss some nuts into the batter and bake as directed.
- Chocolate Chips– What goes well with chocolate? More chocolate! Toss some chocolate chips into the batter to scatter some melted chocolate surprises throughout each bite.
- Peanut Butter Candies– Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven. Add some peanut butter candies to your brownies, and they will be better than ever.
- Marshmallows– Definitely a favorite amongst the younger crowd! Marshmallows are a great add-in to chocolate brownies. They shake up the texture and add a sweet, pillowy pocket to each bite.
How to Store the Brownies
On the off-chance you have leftover brownies, you will need to store them properly.
Brownies do best in air-tight containers. This prevents air exposure from zapping them of their gooey, moist goodness.
Also, avoid the fridge. Long-term storage in the cooler temps will harden your brownies. So it is best to just leave them on the counter.
To Store: Place the cooled brownies in an airtight container. If the brownies become dry, add a slice of sandwich bread to their container. Moisture from the bread slice will help keep them moist. Enjoy within 3 to 4 days.
To Freeze: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and foil for extra protection. Place in a freezer bag, label, and freeze. Frozen brownies will last for up to 3 months.
I use this same box mix. It IS the best, but I use 2 eggs, which results in fluffier, slightly more cake-like brownies. (Nice for those of us who do not care for those gooey style brownies.) And yes, adding Ghirardelli chocolate chips is a must! I substitute real butter for the oil to give the brownies a rich, decadent, buttery flavor, and it is the same calories. Sometimes I add some coffee instead of water. You do not taste the coffee, but it really intensifies the chocolate flavor. I love all of your recipes, and thank you!
add a teaspoon of instant coffee to the water before you use it …
really ups the chocolate flavor and plays down the over sweetness factor
The box my brownie mix was in got wet and fell apart. It was the box of 4 mixes. What are the measurements and ingredients I need to make them?
Hi Carol!
This recipe is for an 18-ounce box of brownie mix.
I’m pretty sure the 4-pack is the same, so you can just make the recipe as written with one packet of the brownie mix 🙂
How do I make the cake-like brownie?
Hi Arleigh, here’s how to adjust the ingredients so you get cake-like brownies:
1 box Ghirardelli Brownie Mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup water
2 large eggs
Bake them as per the recipe, but check for doneness a couple of minutes earlier.