Easy Yellow Cake Mix Brownies

Easy Yellow Cake Mix Brownies are ultra-fudgy, chewy brownies made with just a box of yellow cake mix, cocoa, eggs, and oil. No melting chocolate, no fancy equipment—pure chocolate bliss in under 40 minutes, perfect for quick cravings or potlucks.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easy Yellow Cake Mix Brownies are the ultimate lazy-day dessert hack that tastes completely homemade. With only 5 pantry ingredients and one bowl, you get thick, fudgy brownies with crackly tops and chewy edges in half the time of scratch brownies. They’re rich, chocolatey, and dangerously simple—perfect for beginners, kids helping in the kitchen, or when you need a fast crowd-pleaser. No one will ever guess they started with a cake mix, but everyone will ask for the recipe!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Use Dutch-process cocoa for deeper color and flavor.
• Don’t overbake – pull them when the center is just set (toothpick with moist crumbs).
• Line pan with parchment overhang for easy removal.
• Cool completely before cutting for clean edges.
• Add-ins go in last – fold gently to keep batter thick.
• For extra fudgy texture, underbake by 2–3 minutes.
• Double the recipe in a 9×13 pan.
• Serve warm with ice cream for pure decadence.

Yield: 16 Brownies

Easy Yellow Cake Mix Brownies

Print

Fudgy, chewy brownies made with yellow cake mix in under 40 minutes.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup water or milk
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process preferred)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional but recommended)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Heat to 350°F; line an 8×8 metal pan with parchment, leaving overhang.
2. Mix Dry: In a large bowl, whisk cake mix and cocoa powder to remove lumps.
3. Add Wet: Add eggs, oil, water/milk, and vanilla.
4. Stir: Mix with a spatula until thick, glossy batter forms – about 50 strokes.
5. Add Chips: Fold in chocolate chips if using.
6. Spread: Pour thick batter into prepared pan; smooth top with spatula.
7. Bake: 23–28 minutes until edges are set and center is just barely jiggly.
8. Cool Slightly: Cool in pan 10 minutes.
9. Lift & Cool: Use parchment to lift onto rack; cool at least 20 more minutes.
10. Cut & Enjoy: Slice into 16 squares – serve warm or room temp!

Notes

• Metal pan gives the best chewy edges; glass takes 5–8 minutes longer.
• For thicker brownies, use 8×8; for thinner, use 9×9.
• These taste even better the next day – perfect for making ahead.
• Warm leftover brownies 10 seconds in microwave for gooey perfection.

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 217Total Fat 15gSaturated Fat 4gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 42mgSodium 37mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 2gSugar 10gProtein 4g

The recipes and nutritional information on Yum Tonight are for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dietary advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Ingredients Notes

• Yellow Cake Mix (15.25 oz): Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker – the starch helps create fudgy texture.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (½ cup): Dutch-process preferred; natural works too.
• Eggs (3 large): Binds and adds chewiness.
• Vegetable Oil (½ cup): Keeps brownies moist for days.
• Water or Milk (⅓ cup): Milk adds extra richness.
• Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Rounds out chocolate flavor.
• Chocolate Chips (1 cup, optional): Semi-sweet or milk for pockets of melty chocolate.

Variations and Substitutions

• Nutty: Add ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
• Peanut Butter Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of PB and swirl.
• Mint: Use ½ tsp peppermint extract + Andes mint chips.
• Blondie Version: Skip cocoa, add white chips + butterscotch.
• Gluten-Free: Use GF yellow cake mix.
• M&M Brownies: Fold in 1 cup M&Ms for fun.
• Espresso: Add 1 tsp instant espresso powder.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Drop sweetened cream cheese on top.

Storage Options

• Room Temperature: Airtight container up to 4 days.
• Refrigerator: Up to 1 week (fudgier when chilled).
• Freezer: Cut squares, wrap individually, up to 3 months.

Please share this Easy Yellow Cake Mix Brownies with your friends and do a comment below about your feedback.

We will meet you on next article.

Until you can read, Chocolate Swirl Cake Using Yellow Cake Mix