The Best Box Brownies Are Made With Coffee, Not Water

There's something undeniably nostalgic, mouthwatering, and just plain craveable about brownies made from a box mix. Even if you're an ingredient connoisseur or baker extraordinaire, sometimes the box variety just hits. While some things are undoubtedly best made from scratch, you could spend that time meticulously measuring and sifting — or you could just rip open a box from the grocery store, add a couple of kitchen staple ingredients like eggs, water, and oil, and the quick, easy variety will come out arguably even more delicious. 

Box brownies are so simple and time-saving that they leave you plenty of bandwidth to spice up the straightforward instructions with some workarounds and hacks that elevate the ordinary into something truly worth writing home about. For example, while most recipes call for added water, you could try another ingredient: coffee. Just like it works beautifully in a rich chocolate mocha cake, coffee does the job much better than water in brownies. 

It provides the needed moisture with an added boldness of flavor and depth that results in a far more decadent, rich treat. The good news: This hack works with any variety of java whether it's a fresh brew from a K-cup pod, a French press, or even instant coffee or espresso. So use what you have, thus in keeping with the whole perk of box brownies — simplicity.

When some ingredients are paired together, it can often provide a total wow factor. Much like how acids such as lemon juice or vinegar work to enhance underlying flavors and liven up savory soups, stews, or other recipes lacking a little oomph, this brownie hack works in a similar way — coffee perfectly enhances the taste of chocolate. 

Ever wonder why the pairing of coffee and java is so popular and timeless? From mochas to chocolate coffee ice cream and countless desserts that combine the two tried and true favorites, it's not your imagination that coffee makes chocolate taste better and vice versa. There's some food science behind it to explain why the combo is better than either of the individual parts. 

In essence, coffee works to liven up chocolate by adding a complexity of bitterness to the sweetness. For the most delicious dish, be it sweet or savory, layered complexity is key. In terms of optimal flavor, it's a game of wanting to balance and complement sweetness, bitterness, and acidity against one another for the perfect well-rounded flavor. Enter coffee and chocolate, the perfect match made in heaven.

When making your boxed brownies, you can replace the called-for water with coffee, no matter what brand or variety you use. Betty Crocker or King Arthur, fudge varieties, dark chocolate, or even gluten-free types can all benefit from a shot of java. To do so, add your brewed coffee at the same time you'd typically add the water and stir to combine. 

If you're going the old-fashioned route and mixing up your brownies from scratch versus using the box mix, this flavor pairing works just as well. Try adding instant espresso powder right into the batter in homemade recipes that don't call for water. 

Looking for other ways to dress up this sweet treat? Luckily, despite the fact that box brownies typically only call for three or so added ingredients, they're forgiving and open to substitutions and add-ins as your palate and dietary preferences dictate. If you're avoiding animal products or are vegan, skip the eggs and use flax eggs or your other favorite plant-based replacements. If you're avoiding added oil, substitutes like applesauce, mashed banana, or even yogurt add the needed moisture and fattiness. 

Feeling extra luxe? Toss in a handful (or three) of chocolate chips or your favorite chopped nuts to really get the most from your favorite easy-boxed chocolate treat.