The boxed brownie mix is a genuine culinary achievement — a near-foolproof path to something deeply satisfying. But not all mixes are created equal. We bought eight of the most popular brownie mix brands, baked them all following package instructions exactly, and ate them blind with a panel of tasters. The results were decisive in some areas and surprising in others.
The Testing Methodology
Eight mixes were prepared identically: same brand of butter, same size eggs (large), same 9x9 pan, same oven (350°F), same baking time window (following each package's minimum recommendation). Brownies were cooled to room temperature and tasted in numbered portions without visible packaging. Evaluated on: chocolate intensity, fudginess vs. cakiness (each taster had a preference), sweetness level, texture, and overall satisfaction.
The Rankings
Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix
The clear winner by a significant margin. Ghirardelli's mix produces brownies with an intensely chocolatey flavor, a properly fudgy center when baked to the minimum time, and a shiny, crackly top that signals a well-balanced fat ratio. The chocolate chips included in the mix add texture and additional chocolate depth. At $4-6 per box, it's priced at a premium over store brands but delivers premium results. Multiple tasters said these tasted like from-scratch brownies. 9.5/10
King Arthur Flour Fudge Brownie Mix
King Arthur is the choice for serious bakers who want a brownie mix that performs like a well-tested recipe. The mix uses real cocoa powder and cocoa liquor, no artificial flavors, and produces a deeply fudgy brownie with a complex, slightly bittersweet chocolate note. At $7-9 per box it's the priciest on our list, but the quality justifies it — especially if you're baking for people who care about chocolate quality. 9/10
Betty Crocker Fudge Brownies
The most iconic boxed brownie mix deserves its reputation. Betty Crocker Fudge Brownies are reliably excellent — consistently fudgy, well-sweetened, with that classic American brownie profile: sweet, chocolatey, and deeply satisfying. Not as complex as Ghirardelli or King Arthur, but at $2-3 per box, the value-to-quality ratio is outstanding. The definitive crowd-pleaser. 8.5/10
Pillsbury Fudge Supreme
Pillsbury's entry is virtually indistinguishable from Betty Crocker in blind tasting — a testament to how well-dialed both brands are. The Fudge Supreme errs very slightly on the sweeter side. Some tasters preferred this; others found Betty Crocker more balanced. At the same price point, both are excellent. Personal preference determines the winner here. 8/10
Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix
Duncan Hines skews toward the cakey end of the brownie spectrum compared to the competition. The texture is lighter and more risen. For tasters who prefer cakey brownies, this is the top choice — it's perfectly executed. For fudgy brownie advocates, it won't satisfy. Know your texture preference before buying. 7.5/10
Trader Joe's Brownie Mix
A surprise contender. TJ's brownie mix uses better-quality ingredients than its store-brand counterparts and produces a genuinely fudgy, well-flavored brownie at a very low price. Limited availability (TJ's only), but if you shop there regularly, keep this in your pantry. 7.5/10
Krusteaz Double Chocolate Brownie Mix
Adequate but unexciting. Krusteaz makes excellent pancake mix; their brownie doesn't achieve the same standout quality. The chocolate flavor is present but thin, and the texture skews toward cakey even at minimum bake time. Fine in a pinch, not a recommendation. 6.5/10
Great Value (Walmart Store Brand)
Better than expected for the price (under $2), but clearly the weakest entry in our test. The chocolate flavor is one-dimensional, the texture was the most variable in our tests, and sweetness overshadows everything else. Great for baking with children or high-volume baking where cost per batch matters most. 5.5/10
Ghirardelli Double Chocolate — The Best Boxed Brownie Mix
Ghirardelli wins on flavor, texture, and the overall brownie experience. The included chocolate chips give it an edge no other mix matches out of the box. King Arthur is the choice for purists who want the most complex chocolate flavor. Betty Crocker remains the best value in the category.