How to Make a Boxed Brownie Mix 10x Better, According to Food Network Star Duff Goldman

When you want a quick and easy treat, you reach for boxed brownie mix—we get it. And Food Network’s Duff Goldman gets it too. While catching up with the Ace of Cakes star ahead of his trip to this year's Miami’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival, he told us that brownies, ice cream, and eggless chocolate chip cookies are his last minute dessert go-tos.

But when it comes to a boxed brownie mix, Goldman uses his pastry chef expertise to add a little something extra. Keep scrolling to find out exactly how the Holiday Baking Championship judge elevates a box of storebought brownie mix into a delicious gourmet treat.

Related: How to Make a Boxed Cake Mix 10x Better, According to Food Network Star Duff Goldman

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The Best Way to Upgrade Boxed Brownie Mix, According to Duff Goldman

According to the cookbook author, boxed brownie mixes are lacking one common seasoning. “Usually, the box mixes need a little bit more salt,” Goldman says. You can either use sea salt or kosher salt, but the television personality warns that “sea salt is usually saltier than kosher salt, so use your judgement.”

If you’re opting for a plain brownie mix, Goldman also advises tossing in some white chocolate chips (“I think they’re nice in a brownie because you can see them,” he explains). If white chocolate chips aren't your thing or you'd like to jazz things up with even more mix-ins, you can also fold walnuts (another Goldman favorite), pretzels or marshmallows into the batter. For a snack-inspired sweet-and-salty treat, try a mix of chopped pretzels and broken up potato chips.

Related: The Mediterranean Way to Make Boxed Cake Mix 10x Better

How to Add Salt To Boxed Brownie Mix

After following the packaged instructions, throw a “pinch of salt” into the brownie batter and mix thoroughly, says Goldman. When your batter is completely stirred, you can fold in white chocolate chips and/or walnuts like Goldman does. You can also add a sprinkling of flaky sea salt on top of the brownies for a little sparkle, plus a hit of texture and flavor.

Related: The Genius Secret Ingredient That Turns Boxed Brownies Into 'The Best You've Ever Had'

The Biggest Mistake You're Making With Boxed Brownies

Once you've upgraded your brownie batter using Goldman's hacks, he has a baking tip for you: Don’t over bake the brownies. “That’s the biggest sin that everybody commits when they're first learning how to bake brownies—they over bake them because they don’t want them to be runny,” he says.

To avoid overcooking, take the brownies out of the oven when the top turns opaque or just after the surface “goes from glossy to matte,” says Goldman. Brownies will continue to bake while cooling in the pan, so it’s important not to keep them in the oven until they’re fully done, which can lead to a dry treat.

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