Food and Recipes Desserts 9 Dessert Recipes That Start With a Box of Brownie Mix By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 3, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Even though we love baking from scratch, we're in full support of a shortcut in the kitchen every now and then. One of the most delicious store-bought secrets? Using boxed brownie mix in your desserts. With these brownie mix recipes, you can serve a gorgeous dessert that no family member will realize started with a box from the store. Boxed brownie mix is great on its own, but these brownie mix recipes prove that when it's dressed up a bit, it can be show-stopping. Make adorable single-serve Banana Brownie Sticky Toffee Puddings or a gorgeous layered Chocolate Trifle. Want to know the secret to the fudgiest cookies you've ever had? That's right: brownie mix. Whether you're looking for an easy Bundt cake to give a neighbor or chocolate-peanut butter bars for the kids, these recipes make the most of packaged brownie mix. The next time you're short on time or patience, grab a box of brownie mix at the store and let these desserts amaze you. 01 of 09 Brownie Cookies Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Recipe: Brownie Cookies You'll never have to choose between brownies and cookies again with this fudgy dessert recipe that starts with a box of brownie mix. These cookies are dense and chewy, just like a brownie, but their edges have the crisp bite we all love from cookies. 02 of 09 Chocolate Trifle Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Chocolate Trifle This recipe, first published in our December 1993 issue, has been a fan favorite for years. It also happens to be incredibly simple to make, with boxed brownie mix, whipped topping, toffee candy bars, and instant pudding. 03 of 09 Chocolate Peanut Butter-Fudge Bars Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter-Fudge Bars Your favorite candy can also be your favorite bar. These triple-layer bars are the ideal treat for bake sales, neighbors, or any weeknight when you have a sweet tooth. Plus, leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days, perfect for drop-in guests or last-minute dinner parties. 04 of 09 Brownie Trifle William Dickey; Styling: Cari South Recipe: Brownie Trifle There's no dessert more festive for the holiday season than a trifle, and no guest will know how easy it was to throw together. Coffee liqueur brushed on the warm brownies while cooling adds an extra festive touch. 05 of 09 Banana Brownie Sticky Toffee Puddings Photo: Alison Miksch Recipe: Banana Brownie Sticky Toffee Puddings These single-serve puddings are party-perfect. We like serving them in jars so they're easy to transport and hold. But small sundae bowls would work, too. 06 of 09 Mississippi Mud Cake Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cake Mississippi Mud Cake is a classic Southern sheet cake, filled with marshmallows and chopped pecans and covered in a rich chocolate frosting. This recipe offers a shortcut to the family favorite using boxed brownie mix and store-bought chocolate frosting. 07 of 09 Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck Recipe: Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches Boxed brownies create the perfect vehicle for your next ice cream sandwich. The chewy brownies retain their texture and support the ice cream perfectly without dominating the entire dish. Play around and swap the vanilla ice cream with your favorite flavor. 08 of 09 Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Frosting The Home Edit Recipe: Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Frosting The Home Edit's Easy Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Frosting starts with a box of fudge brownie mix and the holiday flavor mix-ins take it over the top from there. This recipe is a Christmas dessert miracle that comes together in an hour. 09 of 09 Chocolate Bundt Cake Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Chocolate Bundt Cake This Bundt cake recipe combines boxed brownie mix with boxed cake mix for an indulgent dessert that tastes nothing less than homemade. In a decorative Bundt pan, this show-stopping dessert will turn heads at a potluck or party. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit