Brownie mixes have advanced to new heights in recent years, though sometimes they can still fall short in flavor and texture. If you’re looking to improve your boring brownie squares into something truly mind-blowing, the key might already be in your fridge — sour cream. Yes, that rich and creamy staple you usually reserve for baked potatoes or tacos is about to be your secret baking weapon.
By adding around ¼ cup or ½ cup of full-fat sour cream to your boxed brownie mix (whisk it in with the wet ingredients), you’ll end up with shockingly rich chocolate goodness. Sour cream makes the brownies incredibly moist, fudgy, and balances their sweetness with a subtle tang, similar to a buttermilk effect. It’s the easiest way to add richness without tipping into cloyingly sweet territory. (If you don’t have sour cream, the same deliciousness can be accomplished with some high-protein Greek yogurt.)
The best part? This hack doesn’t require you to adjust baking times or anything complicated. Just follow the box directions as usual, and perhaps err on the side of underbaking if you like that ultra-gooey center.
Other hacks to optimize your boxed brownies
Sour cream is one of dozens of ways to boost your boxed brownies. It all depends on your mood and the occasion. If you want a richness and a salty-sweet kick similar to the sour cream addition, try swirling in cream cheese, tahini, or even peanut butter into your brownie batter before baking. If you want pure chocolate flavor, cubed, then add in some Nutella and chocolate chips.
Your pantry also offers so many brownie mix-in options — for example, consider adding a dash of chili powder for a Mexican-hot-chocolate-inspired treat. If you want an elevated chocolate-coffee dessert, try stirring in just a bit of espresso powder to deepen the flavor without overpowering it. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can even stir cups of leftover candy, cookies, or pretzels into your batter for a baked trail-mix effect that’s sweet and crunchy.
You can also try replacements as well as additions — swap out the water in the brownie mix for red wine or stout beer to bring out chocolate’s complex notes. Or go for a different texture entirely by replacing some of the all-purpose flour with pastry or almond flour for a hefty nutty crumb. And don’t sleep on the finishing touches — icing, sprinkles, or even a scoop of ice cream can turn even the simplest boxed brownies into a celebration-ready treat.
