And the best part is that you can use any flavor cake mix! Strawberry and lemon are two of my favorites – especially the strawberry.
Now you’re asking, “Doesn’t using another flavor make them not brownies since brownies are usually chocolate?”
So, I guess, technically – by today’s standards, you’re correct. But did you know the first mention of the word brownies was in the 1896 Fannie Farmer cookbook and the recipe called for molasses and no chocolate?
But you guys know I’m a culinary rebel, so I say we still call these brownies regardless of the flavor. Plus calling the strawberry ones pinkies and the lemon ones yellowies just sounds weird, right?
Anyway, regardless of what you call them, I bet you’re going to call them delicious… and super easy! You only need 3 ingredients to get these ready. And they’re a great thing for the kids to make all by themselves!
You can toss in a cup of chocolate chips, chopped pecans, walnuts, peanuts, toffee bits, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, etc. to mix it up a bit and add even more flavor.
Be sure to comment below and let me know all them combinations you can come up with to make this super easy recipe all your own!
Recipe Card
Cake Mix Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box cake mix (any flavor) (I like dark chocoalte, strawberry, and lemon.)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup chocolate chips* (optional - see note)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray an 8x8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, oil, and eggs. (Add the chocolate chips, if using them and stir well.) The mixture will be thick, but keep stirring. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, then slice.
Notes
Hi. My name is Ariya Belle and I am 6 years old . My Mimi Jen and I bake all the time and make lotsa cookies . Papa Donnie helped me find this mix and all by myself I made MimiJen the chocolate brownies she loves for her birthday . I added lots of chocolate and peanut butter chips and some vanilla. Time baking was perfect . Mimi Jen cried because they were so good. Thank you . I am making them for my brother Rowan too.
Great job, Ariya Belle! I’m so proud of you and so glad to hear that everyone loved your brownies! Thank you for sharing that with me!
You just might be a genius. I wanted brownies fast .All I addess was vanilla and some cookie flavoring and the chocolate chips.they were wonderful. Thank you
Thank you so much Susan!
Great recipe and so quick to make. Since I live in a high altitude, I did add the 2 Tbs of flour recommended on back of cake box.
I had extra bits from my last baking experiment so I added 1/4 c brown sugar, half salted caramel chocolate and white chocolate chips as well.
I also had to increase the baking time to 10 minutes but it worked out perfectly!
Thanks so much for sharing this 🙂
Thank you!
Sounds amazing, Stacey. I’m curious-you know the boxed cake mix hacks–an extra egg, butter instead of oil–would that work here to make a denser, richer brownie?
I’ve certainly used those hacks in the past but have not tried them with this recipe.
The brownie batter does expand while in the oven, perfect cook time, easy prep! These are more of a richly flavored brownie, if you would like a more sweet brownie I suggest adding half a cup of sugar. Super easy to make, perfect treat for any occasion!
Glad to hear you enjoyed them!
Since finding your recipe I have made these using multiple cake flavors. Dark choc with dark choc chips, lemon with white choc chip, and strawberry with either dark or white choc chips. Oh, and devil’s food with a cream cheese glaze. They have always been Amazing! Thank you for recipe.
Thank you! So glad you love it!
These are delicious!! Why do people underrate when they changed the recipe or their oven clearly doesn’t work!?!
Thanks, MJ. It’s frustrating for sure.
I have been staying in and had a craving for brownies and all I had was a chocolate cake mix. I found the recipe above and decided to make them! I did add 1 tsp. of salad oil in addition to the 1/3 C. as I like my brownies chewy. (I didn’t add chocolate chips.) They turned out really well, but next time I’ll add maybe 1/4 C. of sugar to make them a bit sweeter. All good cooks “remodel” recipes a little to make them better, but for those who don’t like overly sweet things, these are perfect!
I think it is hilarious when they do not follow the recipe and then complain when it doesn’t come out! I will also say, one place I lived had an oven that did not rise to the temperature you wanted. That’s when I bought an oven thermometer
so I could see what the oven was too low or too high!
It’s super frustrating, but I try to help as best I can. An oven thermometer is a great tool to have!
I am 10 years old. I helped my
grandma make brownies from
a cake mix. We added walnuts
and vanilla and dark chocolate
chips. They were Super Good !!
Thank You for the receipt.
Teagan!! I’m so happy to hear that y’all made them together and enjoyed them!
I have a super easy bar recipe that uses a white cake mix. I make this when I don’t have time to make a frosting. Well, I was out of white cake mix so I found your recipe for chocolate cake mix to make Brownies. Oh my. This is wonderful. I had some toffee bits and mini chocolate chips and added both. They were just fantastic. I’m going to try these with other additives and flavors. Thanks for the wonderful change to a cake mix. P.S. Resist the urge to add extra liquid. They are hard to stir but this is what it needs.
Thanks so much, Darcy! So glad they turned out great for you!
Just had to add my 2 cents. I taught Home Economics for many years. We made these “brownies” in all flavors. The students (and teachers) loved them. The students came up with many combinations. Most of them were great.
Thanks, Elizabeth! Your 2 cents are always welcome! 🙂
i tried these today with red velvet cake mix and and added white chocolate bits. for a less than average baker, these turned out super well (though slightly cakier than i would have liked)!!! will definitely be trying these again!!!
Glad to hear you enjoyed these!
I’ prefer blondes so I used a butter pecan mix and added mini chocolate chips; I took it to work, one of thee clients cannot eat chocolate, so we made another recipe with candied cranberries and it was a hit
So glad to hear they turned out great for you! Love those flavor combos!
These were the best brownies. So moist and good! I I’m making for the second time. I put white chocolate chips in both. I’m wanting to try the strawberry too!! So easy to make! Thank you!
So glad to hear they turned out great for you, PJ!
I cooked for 15 minutes over the expected time and still can’t get the middle done?! Something is wrong.
I would agree. How are you testing doneness? Are you sure your oven is baking at the correct temperature?
Exactly the cake-to-brownie conversion recipe I needed!
Now I have you bookmarked and I will definitely be using more of your recipes!
For folks interested in using healthier oils, the recipe works well whether you prefer olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or if you’re feeling fancy come up with your own blend).
I want to thank you for being a mindful chef!
Your responses to your readers are first-class, non-judgmental, and very encouraging!
I just discovered your website. Came for the Cake Mix Brownies, and stayed for the Pineapple Cheese Casserole. Sounds wonderful, and I’m going to try it! Thanks so much.
Welcome, Kathy! Sure hope you’ll find lots you enjoy!
I found a box of cake mix in the cupboard and my boyfriend was having a really rough day, His favorite thing is brownies. I stumbled across your blog and decided to try it out. Everything looked wonderful except for the fact that my cake mix had pudding inside of it. So the mix was a giant blob by the time i added the eggs and the oil. I decided to add about 1/2 c. of water to “thin” the batter out and then proceeded to bake it at 350 for 35 minutes in an 8×8. Turned out wonderful!!
How thoughtful of you! I know he enjoyed them!
currently making these with Swerve 10.6 oz chocolate cake mix. still used 2 eggs and probably too much oil because I added more to be able to stir it. so….we’ll see how this turns out!!
I’m interested in hearing how they turn out! Let me know!
I just happen to have a box of strawberry cake mix sitting on my counter after a pantry purge. Didn’t really want to make a cake and frost it, so I’m very pleased to find this recipe. Looking forward to trying it….Will check back after it’s baked.
Sure hope they turned out great for you!
I made these with a chocolate cake mix and followed the recipe exactly as written. After baking for 20 min., it clearly wasn’t done because it jiggles when I moved the pan. I gave it 5 more min and took it out of the oven without testing. It didn’t seem to be jiggly. After cooling for an hour, I cut into them. These were more like lava cake. And we ate the outer corners with ice cream on top. Very tasty, but the center is just plain liquid.
I’m glad you were able to enjoy them! Sorry to hear things didn’t work out as expected.
I may never use a brownie mix again! These are so much better!
They are HARD to stir, but I got a Kitchenaid mixer for Christmas, so these have been a regular thing now that I don’t have to use my arm! Lol! I like to double the recipe and make them in a 9×13 and they are really thick, but great with ice cream on top. 🙂
Thank you for this!
Ha! Thanks, Kati! So glad to hear you’ve enjoyed these!!
Made this with 1/2 price after-Christmas box of FunFetti, adding More Fetti!
Baked in convection oven 350 deg for 15 min.
Yummy!
Sounds perfect! Glad you enjoyed them!!
My dude can you make your website any more ad ridden and ad covered and maybe make your articles a little bit longer because actual PhD dissertations are not as long as your rambling article, literally took me 30 minutes just to scroll to the bottom, click out of all your ads, just to leave this comment
But yay!! You made it!! Seriously, the content is free to you. We gotta pay the bills somehow.
I’d love to try these especially after reading all the reviews and suggestions but was wondering how it would all fit in an 8×8 inch square pan. When I use a 15oz. cake mix it makes two 8 inch round cakes so how will it all bake in one 8 inch square pan without overflowing.
You don’t add all the extra ingredients that cakes would have nor do you whip air into it. It fits just fine.
This is so awesome! I was hoping to find it was doable! I made devils food cake brownies with this and mixed in chocolate chips, and slivered almonds I’ve had a while and leftover marshmallows on top like a rocky road brownie. So yummy! Maybe I’ll make the second box into a caramel version with walnuts!
That sounds great, Karen! So glad to hear you enjoyed them!!!
So I have Yellow Cake mix, and want to make it into brownies–don’t like blonde too much, so would 1/2 C cocoa be too much to add? I’m guessing I’ll need to add more oil or applesauce for the extra dry addition. Does that sound about right?
I can’t say for sure, but if I were going to guess, I’d say you’ll need 6 to 8 tablespoons of cocoa powder and I’d increase the amount of oil to 1/2 cup.
Why is it so thick
It’s supposed to be thick. Brownie batter is often very thick.
Wonderful! Made my yellow cake mix into cocoa-chocolate chip brownies. Tomato cracker salad sounds great too. Wish you lived next door, really. lyn
Thanks so much, Lyn!!
I’ve made these for my family so many times, during the pandemic. So easy!
I’ve added a swirl of sweetened cream cheese, chopped nuts, or oatmeal, and all different kinds of chips. I’ve sprinkled some kosher salt on top, really good with butterscotch chips. Vanilla or white cake is too bland with this recipe, unless you add some flavorful topping or frosting. For autumn, try Pumpkin or Spice cake, and swirl apple pie filling. This is a great recipe to teach your kids- it’s practically foolproof, and has endless options for “whatever’s in the pantry.” Thanks so much!
Love hearing all these delicious variations, Julie! I’m so glad you’ve gotten some great use out of this recipe!
Hi! Would i be able to use jello powder and white cake mix instead of a strawberry cake mix?
I can’t say for sure, Sony. I would guess that you could, though.
Making the chocolate brownies for my diabetics. I am using sugar free chocolate cake mix and added pecans. Also making the regular lemon cake mix with almonds. I had to improvise, because I only had 3 eggs. I split the eggs between the 2 mixes and added 2 tablespoons margarine to each mix. They were enjoyed by all.
Glad to hear everyone enjoyed them!!
Used a German chocolate cake mix, added coco powdered and chopped chocolate covered coffee beans… hope it turns out as good as I expect it too
Wow! Yum! Me, too!
Have a question this recipe is very close to cake cookies is the difference in the oil what makes the brownies or is it that it’s all in one pan that makes the difference asking cause I make the cookies all the time but need something different .
Honestly, there’s probably not much difference other than how they’re baked and the amount of oil. Not knowing exactly which recipe you use, I can’t say for sure.
The consistency of the “batter” was like salt water taffy so I just pressed it evenly into the pan and pushed the chocolate chunks into the top. I had two boxes laying around so I made a double batch and put it in a 9×12 pan, perfect for thick brownies. I will definitely try them in different flavors …lemon, mmm
Awesome! So glad to hear you enjoyed these!
Not real tasty. I followed the recipe, used a white cake mix, and added nuts and a T of cocoa powder. I won’t waste a cake mix again. We threw it out. I find it amazing so many liked it, but we all have different tastes.
Hate to hear it didn’t turn out as you had hoped. I’m thinking maybe next time, add a considerable amount more cocoa powder to a white cake mix if you want chocolate flavor. I think most folks are using chocolate or strawberry mixes.
Great if you have limited time. I made red velvet and added chocolate chips. It was ok. I think a cake would have been better. I still might try doing this when lemon cake though. It was quick and easy.
This idea is to have another option if all you have hanging around is cake mix.
I can’t wait to bake the strawberry flavored for the homeless shelter I bake treats for! Few questions please: Can I use a 9 x 13 pan? If so, should I double the ingredients? Would adding sliced fresh strawberries to the batter work?
9×13 isn’t an exact double of an 8×8 in terms of volume, but you would still need to double the recipe. They’ll just be a bit thicker and take a little while longer to bake. When it comes to adding the strawberries, I think it would work, but I’ve not tested it myself.
Would doubling this recipe work for a 9×13 glass pan? How much would that change the cooking time? I want to bring these to work… Is the batter thick enough to try two flavors in one pan, maybe separated with parchment paper?
Adding 5 to 10 minutes to the cook time should be enough. It’s a pretty thick batter, so I think you could probably do 2 different flavors.
Thanks for the tip… made Red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting. Thought about using some mini white chocolate chips but decided to go plain this time. Yum! ????
Yum! So glad you enjoyed them!!
Amazing recipe! I love how creative it is. I will definitely be checking out other recipes from this sight.
Thanks! Hope you’ll enjoy this one and find many more you like just as well!
I’m using German Chocolate cake batter by the way!
Sounds great!! Hope they turn out amazing!
I just made mine with German Chocolate mix but added butterscotch chips and coconut flakes to the top. So far they look good but I want to try them once they are cooled as recommended earlier in the feed. 🤞🏻That they tastes as good as they smell!
Hope they tasted great for you!
No Milk needed!? (Baking Rookie)
Nope, no milk. No worries! Don’t ever hesitate to ask questions around here!
mine came out raw, and i followed the directions. i don’t know what happened.
If it was raw, then it was probably undercooked.
I just made some with white cake mix and cotton candy flavoring! Added some blue food coloring for fun, hoping that they turn out well!
Sounds fun! Let me know!
I’ve been making strawberry “brownies” for a few years now. I just kind of came up with it one day when I wanted to make some brownies for a family get-together, but realized that I was out of cocoa powder. I decided immediately to call them pinkies, because I thought it was a cute name. I even sell them as pinkies at my little bakery.
I LOVE that so much! Pinkies! Ha!
Changing my review… left them out on the table overnight and the kids and I had some in the am. Much better. I guess for some reason they just aren’t good warm. Taste good but texture just wasnt there. This morning way better.
So my suggestion is to either put them in the fridge or waite until they are cold and set.
Glad you gave them a second chance and enjoyed them!
I used a chocolate cake mix. And added sugar free chocolate chips. I would say they are very chocolatey in flavour. But not the texture of a cake or a brownie. My husband said chalkie. My daughter said doughie (maybe to many chocolate chips). Runny.
No stars because this is advertised to be a brownie. This is not a brownie. I would make a new name for it… You would get more stars.
My husband cracked up at yellowies and he hates recipes with a back story. We had coconut cake on hand and added cocoa powder to the mix before adding the wet ingredients. Almond joy like brownies were the result and now we have to make yellowies next lol. Thank you for the recipe and the awesome name.
Ha! So glad y’all enjoyed them!!
20 minutes of baking time had it a bit jiggly when I took it from the oven so I let it bake another 5 minutes. Let’s hope it turns out okay….. oops!
I’m sure they turned out just fine. Let me know.
I have coeliac, so I had to use a gluten-free cake mix (Better Crocker as it happens). Just a note that it needs some adjustment for gluten-free. This is typical though. Cooking gluten-free normally requires adjustment and it might depend on which brand you use as well. No matter how much I stirred, it did not come together although I expected it to be a bit dry as you mentioned. Finally, I added a 1/3 cup of cold black coffee and that made it come together. It baked up great and was quite a hit.
Those gluten free mixes do require some adjustment when they’re substituted in recipes. Glad you enjoyed these!
Arthur GF brownies mix is the bomb! I love there cake mix too.
I am going to substitute homemade-infused coconut oil instead of vegetable oil and add lots of walnuts. I just know these will be out of this world! Thank you for this easy and in this time, oh-so-necessary, switch-up for shape-shifting things on hand to accommodate things we want!
I sure hope it turns out amazingly for you!!
I have only a chocolate cake mix and did search to make Brownies and now my mouth is watering and chocolate are now what I want the least! LoL I’ll be getting a lot of cake next trip to the store! Thinking about a layered fruit for Spring/summer. Also if I used a white cake and added a package of butterscotch pudding would I need to add or adjust eggs, oil, etc…?
I would just stick to the recipe, but feel free to add in other things like chocolate chips, etc.
The different flavored brownies are a good idea! It’s something that could get potentially fancy. I’m all for red velvet, though.
Red velvet sure it good! 🙂
Do the strawberry brownies have an icing on them. Looks like they might have.
They don’t, but you could certainly add one.
I made the strawberry ones before used Confetti sugar and water to make a glaze
I made chocolate brownies by your recipe, used a double chocolate cake mix, added the chocolate chips plus pecans. It turned out great!! I like moist not cakey brownies and these were perfect. Thanks so much for such an easy recipe!
So glad they turned out great for you!
I use this same recipe but use a small ice cream scoop to make brownie cookies. Bake on a sheet sprayed with non stick spray and bake for 13 minutes.
The recipe makes 2 dozen large cookies.
Another GREAT idea! Thank for sharing!
fabulous idea! will be trying this today!
Enjoy!
Just made chocolate brownies. Wow! Great recipe, so easy had everything in my pantry. Added 1/2 tablespoon espresso powder, chips & pecans. Really needed a boost today and these brownies were just the thing.
Thank you. ????????????
These sound AMAZING! So glad they turned out well for you!!
I am definitely making the strawberry ones. But I have a question that’s been bothering me for a long time. Does it matter if the pan is glass or metal? Thanks.
In many cases it does matter. I much prefer glass with this recipe, but either will work.
Any suggestions to make this in a half of full sheet pan? I like to make large batches to share. How many cokes do you think would be for a half or full sheet pan?
Hey Melissa! I can’t say for sure, but if my calculations are correct, you’ll need 3 batches for a half sheet and 6 batches for a whole sheet.
These sound lovely and easy. Photos made my mouth water. Thanks Stacey. You always have great ideas. You go, Rebel! I love the name pinkies and lemonies, personally. Brownies for the brown ones, if course! ????
Ha! Thanks, Shelly!!
I have used the orange mix. Grands say it reminds them of fruit loops. Lol. They always loved the strawberry ones, been making them along time. Thanks for sharing!
That sounds great!!
I’ve made this with yellow cake and chocolate chips (sort of a blondie) and carrot cake with oatmeal and nuts. Yellow cake was the best. I also swap applesauce for the oil. I love how quick and easy these are. It is my go to when I need to take a dessert to an event. Never thought of strawberry or lemon but those will be next whenever I can get a mix.
Hope you’ll love the strawberry and lemon version, too!!
I usually use applesauce instead of oil but was apprehensive making brownies in case they tasted too much like a cake I’m using a white mix and white cho chips with a request for caramel sauce ,,,,,
I think the oil is a must for texture and moisture in this particular recipe.
Sounds delicious anxious to try the different flavor of cake mixes I got for brownies thank you for posting this lovely dessert have a beautiful & Blessed day
You, too, Katrina! Hope you enjoy them all!
I have Carrot Cake, Spice Cake, Golden Butter Cake, Dark Chocolate Cake, Orange Cake, Pineapple Cake and White Cake. I may end up doing them all before this “staycation” is over. I have 4 of those golden Hershey bars that I want to layer into one of the flavors. if I do a 9×9 pan are they going to be too thin?
Such great ideas! They will be a little thinner in a 9×9, but it won’t make a huge difference. And if you layer in the Hershey bars, that will help as well.
Great post since so many of us are “sheltering in place”. I live in WA and they are asking us to stay home except for groceries or medicines.
Thanks, Suzie! I’m going to be doing my best to share those recipes that will use stuff most folks already have in the pantry. Enjoy!
When I get a cake mix I am definitely going to try this. My husband cannot have any chocolate for medical reasons and I can’t have lemon. Sooooo, strawberry here I come and whatever else I may find. Thank you so much, I have to say that they look awesome in your photos…… Take care. Claudia
Thanks so much, Claudia! The strawberry is probably my favorite!
Tried this recipe. Think there is a missing ingredient.. wayyy too doughy to be brownies. Maybe cookies?
I’ve never had trouble with this recipe turning out. Did you bake it? It does make a very thick dough.
I feel like a bow wow suddenly
Some people like super fudge consistency brownies. Which these are. If you want them more cake like I would add an extra egg. I have done both the extra egg does make a different consistency.
Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
I feel like a bow wow suddenly
Mine came out like a moist cake like brownie instead of an actual brownie, the only thing I did different was substitute the oil to butter (I do all my brownies that way and they always come out as brownies) …. I added 2 tablespoons of espresso into mine (I put espresso into my brownie batter regularly except for this batch I added less espresso). What did I do wrong? Adding a little bit of liquid??
The liquid will have an effect on the finished product. And since you added some espresso and butter (which has water and milk solids in it that oil doesn’t) that might be the cause of the different texture. Hope you were still able to enjoy them!
I am wondering if a granular instant coffee would get you where you want to be with this recipe (no liquid that way)
Ok so no, I tried these with a yellow Duncan Hines cake mix and added 1/4 cup cocoa powder. I should have known this was a bad idea (I bake a lot) and should have known there was not enough sugar. The major part of brownies from scratch is granulated sugar and cake mix just does not have enough sugar. These came out great for texture but with no sweetness. If your going to make brownies from a cake mix, add at least a half cup of sugar or more or just make brownies from scratch. Cake mix is mostly flour.
Hey, Teetsie! Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve removed your rating as you’ve rated a variation of the recipe and not the recipe I shared.