Made-from-Scratch Fudge Brownies (boxed mix copycat)

I miss boxed brownie mixes. I admit it.

I really do love eating and preparing real foods, and I almost never even have the desire to go back to the foods I used to prepare, but….I do miss those boxed brownie mixes. Maybe it’s just me. But, usually,I am just not overly thrilled with homemade brownies- they’re missing something.

My ol’ stand-by brownie is this one, A Good Brownie, and I do like it. It’s good. However, it still doesn’t seem to quite match up to the texture and taste of those packaged mixes.

So, being a little disappointed, I just didn’t make brownies very often. But, I was re-inspired to try again to recreate those mixes when my husband was dreaming of hot, fudgey brownies the other evening. My kids chimed in, too….”Oh, yes! Brownies!!”  You see- these are important matters to chocolate lovers. I needed to come up with a brownie that was just as tasty as a boxed mix brownie.

And I think this recipe just might be it!!  These are soft and moist- fudgey, but not too dense. They are the perfect texture, and even get that kinda flaky top. 

Try ’em out and see if you agree!

PRINTABLE RECIPE

• 2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1/2 c. lard* (this is the real stuff…see note below ingredients)
• 4 eggs
• 1 Tbs. pure vanilla
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips

**I think the lard is one of the key ingredients here. Lard gives baked goods a really great texture. Check with local farmers to see if they can give you some lard that you can render and store in your refrigerator. The “lard” in the grocery store is processed and fake. Don’t use it

Add the sugar to a large mixing bowl. Add the lard and beat until well combined. Melt the butter in a saucepan and then add to the sugar. Mix this together.

Pour in the vanilla. Add the eggs. Mix.

Next, add the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Mix just until it is all combined. Don’t over-do it.

Pour in the chocolate chips and give a quick stir. (I do think it’s worth it to use both kids of chocolate chips. The combination balances the flavor out nicely)

Grease your 9×13 baking dish (I used a glass dish) with a light skimming of lard or you can use butter.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Check for done-ness by inserting a small knife in several places.If it comes out just slightly gooey- they are done. If nothing comes out on the knife, they are probably over-cooked. If the knife comes out pretty wet or with a lot of batter on it- cook for another 1 or 2 minutes and then test again.

Remove from oven- place pan on a wire rack. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting in. I prefer to give them a little longer to cool down- more like 20 minutes, but sometimes it’s hard to wait!

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Tagged: boxed brownie copycat, fudge brownies, made from scratch brownies, no mixes brownies