Cream Cheese Brownie Recipe with Strawberries (2024)

FAQs

How can I improve my Betty Crocker brownie mix? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

Most brownie mixes call for water. While water does the job, you can add some extra flavor and moisture by mixing some of that water with something richer, like milk. If you want to swap it out completely, be prepared for a more chewy and fudge-like brownie from the extra fat.

Chill out for a while

The Oregonian relays cookbook author Alice Medrich's advice on her tried and true method of achieving a wonderful, shiny brownie top: chill your brownie batter. Medrich's trick is to refrigerate the prepared brownie batter overnight and up to three days before you bake it.

Avoid underbaking by removing it from the oven before it is fully cooked. Some recipes lack the necessary protein to maintain the structure, which causes them to crumble. Wait until the brownie is completely cool and cut them into desired pieces.

Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. Throw in a handful of nuts—pecans, walnuts, macadamia, whatever you have on hand. Scoop in a palmful of dried or frozen fruit. Add an extra splash of the top-shelf vanilla extract, or a dab of vanilla paste, or a dash of vanilla powder, to the batter.

Butter adds richness, while oil ensures a gooey, moist center. Neutral oil like avocado oil is great, or use a light and fruity olive oil for some extra flavor. Sugar: For the best of both worlds (gooey centers, chewy edges, and a touch of crispness), we highly recommend using granulated and brown sugar in this recipe.

Below is a simple brownie recipe that uses almond milk. If you use cake mix kits, you can simply replace the amount of water specified with almond milk for tastier results.

A simple combination of water, baking powder, and vegetable oil mimics eggs almost to a T. It's a great option for cookies, quick breads, and brownies.

Most recipes call for baking brownies at 350°. If a fudgy inside and crackly top is your goal, stick with that temperature. Brownies baked at 325° will take longer to bake and will become chewier in texture.

Why add coffee to brownies? ›

The trick: Replace the water with coffee. You don't need much, generally ¼ to ⅓ cup. We already know that adding espresso and coffee flavor to chocolate desserts supercharges chocolate flavor, and the same principle applies here. Using coffee in your brownie mix will result in better, more chocolaty brownies.

Problem 6: My brownies are SINKING

Ah, the horrible feeling you get when you look in the oven to see the skatepark that has formed in your brownie. WELL, most likely you just over-whisked your brownie mix. The only step that should be whisked with an electric beater is the eggs, everything else is best done by hand.

They give brownies a lighter, drier, and more cake-like texture. If you prefer this over the chewy variety, then go ahead and crack in that additional egg. On the other hand, too many eggs will yield brownies that are hard, heavy, and tough.

Over mixing brownie leads to too much air incorporation and can leave your brownie looking and tasting like a chocolate cake. Under mixing will lead to insufficient combination of your core ingredients and so the brownie texture will not form to perfection.

Betty Crocker™ Supreme original brownie mix, plus water, vegetable oil and egg called for on box. Stir-in options: Semisweet chocolate chips, white vanilla chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, toffee bits, chopped maraschino cherries, chopped cookies, chopped chocolate candy, chopped nuts and more.

Switch up the liquid for something more flavorful—boxed brownie mixes typically call for water. Skip the water and swap it with coffee, milk, coconut milk, or even red wine to add flavor and dimension to your standard boxed brownies.

If you want to get a little more creative with your brownie mix hacks, add an extra egg to the batter. The extra protein will help thicken up the batter and make it fluffier, creating a more decadent, fudgy texture. You can also add the yolk by itself in addition to the 2 eggs a box brownie mix typically calls for.