10 Easy Better-Than-The-Box Brownie Recipes

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Brownies right out the box are delicious. The decadent batter is pre-made, so all you need to do is add eggs, oil, and water or milk. Stick the mixture in the oven to bake and in no time, you'll have a chocolatey dessert. But don't be afraid to make brownies from scratch — they are super easy and taste even better than the out-of-the-box variety.

To make brownies, all you need are a few additional ingredients: sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, cocoa powder, salt, and flour. Just mix all of the ingredients together and bake them. The best part is that you get to add any yummy flavorings and toppings you'd like. If you want an orange-scented brownie, swap out vanilla extract for orange extract. You can also add slivered almonds, walnuts, or pecans to change up the texture of your sweet treat.

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You can even make brownies to suit your dietary needs. If you're gluten-free, make flourless brownies. Try making brownies with puréed black beans — it acts as a binder in the recipe. You can even use applesauce in place of sugar for a healthier take. There are so many brownie options that you're missing out on by making them from a mix. From gluten-free to nut-studded, give homemade brownies a shot.

Want some easy better-than-the-box brownie recipes? The Daily Meal has rounded up 10 decadent and delicious ones to get you started.

Brainy Brownies

This is the signature recipe from the first Sneaky Chef book. Everyone was amazed that no one — neither kids nor adults — could detect the hidden spinach, blueberries, and oat bran, or the missing fat and sugar. Boxed brownie recipes are filled with sugar — this is a healthy but decadent alternative. For the Brainy Brownies recipe, click here.

Classic Brownies

Almost everyone has a seriously impassioned opinion about what kind of brownie is the absolute best. Chewy! Cakey! Soft and gooey! But whatever your favorite style, when presented with a plate of homemade brownies, hardly anyone can resist having at least one (after all, it's only polite!). For the Classic Brownies recipe, click here.