Ghiradelli is a solid for choice for me with three necessary enhancements: substitute brewed (and cooled) coffee for the water, add a splash of vanilla, and sprinkle walnut pieces on top (NOT mixed into the batter which steams the nuts). Good report on these mixes -- thank you.
Love it! Just told my daughter sitting here in the room with me, between the two of us, hoping to remember this. Ghirardelli’s has always been our boxed brownie mix of choice.
I love Ghirardelli too. I add 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon and chili powder, then sprinkle Maldon salt on top before baking. They rarely rise, which confounds me, but I don’t really care.
Costco sells one variation of Ghirardelli brownie mix and it is my go-to brownie mix. They are fudgy, with a good chocolate flavor. Me being me, I add some espresso powder to the mix and, because I love the combo of chocolate and orange, I add a bit of orange zest. I'll usually bake a 9x13 pan, take a few big squares for myself, and take the rest to work for my coworkers, because I WILL eat all of them.
I love walnuts in my brownies. I usually mix them in the batter but appreciate the one viewer’s comment where they place the walnuts on top of the batter before baking. I love espresso powder (or coffee replacing the water, if called for) which enhances the chocolate flavor. I really loved Valerie (can we see more of her please?) and especially her tip about adding aged rum to the batter … I’ll try that next time I make brownies!
I am a purist and don’t like chocolate chips in my brownies. Ghirardelli’s is my top choice but I’ve never tasted the King Arthur brand. Adding coffee is a great idea, thanks.
My all-time favorite is Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie from Costco!! Best ever! I do add a teaspoon of espresso powder to each batch and I love nuts in it!
I finally learned to tightly cover the pan with foil AFTER removing it from the oven. The steam doesn’t escape, and your brownies will be so moist!! I also undercook them, but that isn’t a new idea 😆
Loved hearing these results. I love Ghirardelli’s brownie mix but now want to try King Arthur’s & Trader Joe’s. I do substitute coffee for the water & also add some of my homemade vanilla bean paste & toasted nuts, sprinkled on top. Yum!
Usually buy Ghirardelli but recently tried the King Arthur (purchased from Whole Foods) and really enjoyed them. The flavor and texture were great and I’d definitely use this mix again.
think it is nice that the final listing included those 5 mixes that were not discussed in depth in the live tasting. I can understand that the video would be just too long to thoroughly discuss 9 mixes, especially if half of them are not that great... but it is still nice to know your options...
I have always loved the Trader Joe’s brownie mix. It’s my favorite. A friend talked me into trying the Costco six pack of the Ghirardelli triple mix. I thought it was sweeter & less chocolatey than the Trader Joe’s. In addition, it called for oil instead of butter (and I prefer butter). So when making the remaining bags, I added cocoa powder to make it less sweet, and used butter instead of the oil. This made it more on par with the Trader Joe’s (in my opinion). After this review , I am curious to try the King Arthur mix for comparison!! 🎉
I loved this video! The review of the 9 brownie mixes was super informative and fun. You did an amazing job of analyzing each one and highlighting the strengths and weaknesses. Congratulations on the high quality content! 😍😍
You missed a category. In the 80’s while I was in graduate school Jiffy made a small size boxed mix. From ingredients sitting on the counter to all brownies consumed took 30 minutes! Yes, I used a microwave in Pyrex pan. Pleasant memories but I haven’t seen them on the shelf for years
I used to babysit for the Jiffy mix founder’s great-granddaughters. My son is about to go to college. I’m going to have to tell him about to Phoenix in the microwave!
I just did this on Monday w/ Ghirardelli, White Lily, Betty, and Halo Top - all from Walmart. They finished in that order for me. The wife liked White Lily best. Halo Top is for dieters only. Not sure we’ll even eat them. I gave third place to my coworkers.
For me, it's Ghirardelli with modifications. I don't like them with chocolate chips, so I sift those out and eat them as a separate snack. Add 1 tsp vanilla and 1/2 cup chopped and toasted walnuts and sprinkle a few finely chopped on top. For an extra special treat, I make some cheesecake and swirl it into the mix. Friends beg for these brownies.
For years I have made Betty Crocker Supreme with Walnuts brownie mix. I add in almost an entire bag of chocolate chips & watch the baking time carefully. Take out sooner rather than later. Everyone has always loved them.
An interesting contrast with the recent Babish brownie tasting. One problem with this test ... by limiting to only one box per manufacturer, you may skip over the best box that brand has and compare a meh box to a great one.
when they test anything, they pass over many brands... I suppose cost and tester time is a big factor... but one of their food processor tests pitted their "favorite" 13 cup food processor they use in their kitchens, to a 9 cup Kitchenaid doing the same processes... and... SURPRISE!!... THE FAVORITE won again... no bias here... 🙄
I bought Ghirardelli based on this video and regret it. it is too dark. Baked Betty Crocker Walnut brownies at the same exact time and those are the ones we finished first. Everybody agrees and the Ghirardelli's for sure were not burnt. Betty Crocker brownies in my experience, the fudge and walnut varieties have a much better brownie texture than the Ghirardelli brownie impersonators. The Ghirardelli are like a really dark 70% chocolate cake and that is just not something that we are looking for. Thanks for the time but I wish you captured more of the classic American brownie in your review and keep that perspective in mind for your future content.
I use medium roast brewed coffee instead of water. I put big pieces of walnuts in half the pan (so everyone gets their preference) - I love biting thru the walnuts & they're a nice step back from the intensity, like kind of opposite of added chocolate chips. I think added chips are too much and not helpful if they end up solid at room temp.
I live at high altitude instead of adding more flour, I add dutch cocoa and C switch the oil and water as written. Brown Butter instead of oil is good too
It's funny hearing the comments on the Betty crocker because that was my favorite as a kid, but I've never really liked chocolate. So the complaints were exactly why I liked it! 😂
Best one was left off the testing list. Krusteaz Gluten Free Double Chocolate Brownie Mix is hands down the best. It tastes better than any traditional brownie mixes we’ve tried.
Ghirardelli’s triple chocolate with extra cocoa powder added and yes a little espresso powder. Then if I really want totally over the top melt semi sweet chips on the top when they come hot out of the oven. To die for!
Ghirardelli is the only brownie mix I like these days when I choose to make brownies from a mix but I swear Betty Crocker tasted much better when I was a child.
I always get the betty crocker on sale and use it for a base because I add more chocolate and espresso giving it a lot of help. Plus have you ever added condensed milk instead of oil to a mix? Plus the NUTS everything from pistachio to macadamia Betty Crocker brownies also are a great base for fruit or FUDGE toppings. Plus homemade icecream cake starts with a betty crocker brownie ;)
My secret...ghirardelli double chocolate or dark chocolate...use good (melted) butter not oil, add an extra egg yolk, a little extra vanilla, sometimes extra cocoa powder, and a little good salt...grease pan with butter and sprinkle the buttered pan lightly with same salt. (Make sure to not over mix and use a metal pan). 💯💥
Im a sucker for the Pulsbruy milk chocolate ones. No they arent "great" brownies, but there is something about the flavor and chewiness I love. A little less intense than the good stuff.
Ghirardelli is that girl!!!! I get a kind with chocolate chips in the mix and it's always delicious :) Will definitely keep an eye out for the TJ's mix, I wouldn't have expected it to rank so high
"Your baking tutorials are fantastic! Have you ever tried using a bread slicer for perfectly even slices? It could make your beautiful bread even better!"🥺🥺🥺
I usually make my own brownies, but for a box? I always use Ghirdelli Dark...now I will try it using coffee... I don't know why I never thought to do that before as with homemade, I always use espresso powder...
I may be in the minority here but to me, adding coffee to chocolate just makes it taste like coffee. Every time a recipe I’ve made has called for it, I’ve ended up regretting the addition. I love coffee but not with chocolate.
Ghirardelli has the better options too, they should’ve put up the dark chocolate mix it’s so much more chocolatey 🤤 Their double chocolate mix with some Reese’s peanut butter chips added is also 🔥
No to the chocolate chips in brownies! Just let the brownie stand alone. A good brownie doesn’t need chocolate chips. I’ll definitely try the King Arthur mix. Thank you!
Going to have to try it. About 20 years ago when they made Hersheys Chocolate Syrup that you can buy it in the can I had a Recipe for using that to make Brownies. Real simple. The can of syrup, flour, an egg, and something else. They were easy to make and the best I ever had.
I wish you would include store brands in these tests, great value, Krogers, Food City, ect. And leave out the things you have to mail order or drive hours (Trader joes) to get to a store. My fav box mix alteration is to sprinkle a little extra sugar on top of the batter just before it goes in the oven to insure an extra crackly top.
I've done my own comparison, and Betty Crocker was the worst. Duncan Hines is really good, but now I have to order King Arthur as it sounded like the winner. I'll probably pick up G at the store while waiting on the mail.
I use Betty Crocker Delight Supreme Fudge Brownie mix. But doctor them up, melted butter instead of oil, milk instead of water and add chocolate chips. They are VERY fudgy, moist, cracked top and chewy edges. 😋
I personally dislike the Ghirardelli brownies and love the cheapest ones I can find (right now that’s Duncan Hines)! Typically I add chocolate chips (white chocolate, semi sweet, milk chocolate) and peanut butter and undercook them a little for a better texture (in my opinion)
You can taste espresso added to brownies. Chocolate is such an idiosyncratic flavor that even Tootsie Pops, who happily use artifice for their fruit flavors must begrudgingly use some cacao in their chocolate lollipop.
I add dried cherries. Cherry and chocolate go so well together.
You just blew my mind! Can't wait to try this!
Ghiradelli is a solid for choice for me with three necessary enhancements: substitute brewed (and cooled) coffee for the water, add a splash of vanilla, and sprinkle walnut pieces on top (NOT mixed into the batter which steams the nuts). Good report on these mixes -- thank you.
Great tips!!
Love it! Just told my daughter sitting here in the room with me, between the two of us, hoping to remember this. Ghirardelli’s has always been our boxed brownie mix of choice.
Ooh! I love it! My usual go to is Duncan Hines-- but if Ghirardelli's on sale... I am so in on this! Thank you so much and take good care, hon!😊
@@juliastraus4273 Thanks to this vid I'm going to make some brownies this week!!
I love Ghirardelli too. I add 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon and chili powder, then sprinkle Maldon salt on top before baking. They rarely rise, which confounds me, but I don’t really care.
The control group is brilliant, love the commitment to a scientific endeavor!
They are called America's Test Kitchen for a reason 😂
Ghirardelli Dark chocolate brownies are THE best in my book!
+1 That's what I buy
Costco sells one variation of Ghirardelli brownie mix and it is my go-to brownie mix. They are fudgy, with a good chocolate flavor. Me being me, I add some espresso powder to the mix and, because I love the combo of chocolate and orange, I add a bit of orange zest. I'll usually bake a 9x13 pan, take a few big squares for myself, and take the rest to work for my coworkers, because I WILL eat all of them.
That’s my go to
Ghirardelli makes a fine Cocoa Powder also.
@@JustanOlGuy For anyone who wants to make brownies from scratch, their bar chocolate is really good too.
Loved hearing the test taster comments and getting the breakdown of different attributes people liked
I love walnuts in my brownies. I usually mix them in the batter but appreciate the one viewer’s comment where they place the walnuts on top of the batter before baking. I love espresso powder (or coffee replacing the water, if called for) which enhances the chocolate flavor. I really loved Valerie (can we see more of her please?) and especially her tip about adding aged rum to the batter … I’ll try that next time I make brownies!
I am a purist and don’t like chocolate chips in my brownies. Ghirardelli’s is my top choice but I’ve never tasted the King Arthur brand. Adding coffee is a great idea, thanks.
My all-time favorite is Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie from Costco!! Best ever! I do add a teaspoon of espresso powder to each batch and I love nuts in it!
More Valerie please! I love her sense of humor (and her fashion). Also yay team chocolate chips! ✨
Oh please! She's so full of herself and about as funny as a train wreck!
Ghirardelli all day. I add a few tablespoon spoons of coffee and use a mix of water and heavy cream. I also add walnuts.
This video format rules, more of these please!
Carolyn is such a pro. Love watching this!!
I finally learned to tightly cover the pan with foil AFTER removing it from the oven. The steam doesn’t escape, and your brownies will be so moist!! I also undercook them, but that isn’t a new idea 😆
Loved hearing these results. I love Ghirardelli’s brownie mix but now want to try King Arthur’s & Trader Joe’s. I do substitute coffee for the water & also add some of my homemade vanilla bean paste & toasted nuts, sprinkled on top. Yum!
Love reviews like this!
Usually buy Ghirardelli but recently tried the King Arthur (purchased from Whole Foods) and really enjoyed them. The flavor and texture were great and I’d definitely use this mix again.
King Arthur holds DEI baking competitions. Any discrimination is bad.
think it is nice that the final listing included those 5 mixes that were not discussed in depth in the live tasting. I can understand that the video would be just too long to thoroughly discuss 9 mixes, especially if half of them are not that great... but it is still nice to know your options...
I have always loved the Trader Joe’s brownie mix. It’s my favorite. A friend talked me into trying the Costco six pack of the Ghirardelli triple mix. I thought it was sweeter & less chocolatey than the Trader Joe’s. In addition, it called for oil instead of butter (and I prefer butter). So when making the remaining bags, I added cocoa powder to make it less sweet, and used butter instead of the oil. This made it more on par with the Trader Joe’s (in my opinion). After this review , I am curious to try the King Arthur mix for comparison!! 🎉
I don’t know why I even bother watching this type of taste test anymore, Ghirardelli always wins 😂(which I completely agree)
Aldi’s brownie mix in the red box!
💯
Great video. I'd love to see more like this for more packaged foods and mixes.
I loved this video! The review of the 9 brownie mixes was super informative and fun. You did an amazing job of analyzing each one and highlighting the strengths and weaknesses. Congratulations on the high quality content! 😍😍
You missed a category. In the 80’s while I was in graduate school Jiffy made a small size boxed mix. From ingredients sitting on the counter to all brownies consumed took 30 minutes! Yes, I used a microwave in Pyrex pan. Pleasant memories but I haven’t seen them on the shelf for years
❤
Completely! Confess to still using their little box cornbread.
I remember those small boxes, I used to use them in my Easy Bake Oven!
I used to babysit for the Jiffy mix founder’s great-granddaughters. My son is about to go to college. I’m going to have to tell him about to Phoenix in the microwave!
I just did this on Monday w/ Ghirardelli, White Lily, Betty, and Halo Top - all from Walmart. They finished in that order for me. The wife liked White Lily best. Halo Top is for dieters only. Not sure we’ll even eat them. I gave third place to my coworkers.
For me, it's Ghirardelli with modifications. I don't like them with chocolate chips, so I sift those out and eat them as a separate snack. Add 1 tsp vanilla and 1/2 cup chopped and toasted walnuts and sprinkle a few finely chopped on top.
For an extra special treat, I make some cheesecake and swirl it into the mix. Friends beg for these brownies.
I like the tip of using coffee. I tried it and wow it improved them.
such a great way to expand upon Jack's TV segments! this show looks awesome, can't wait for more
Ghirardelli Dark or Trader Joe's are my go to's.
Awesome format!
Betty Crocker has several different varieties of boxed brownie mix. My favorite is the Supreme, which includes a pouch of chocolate syrup in the box.
Great taste test.😊
I'm looking forward to trying them.
This was surprisingly a fresh take! Loved the personalities and departure from the standard hosts (still of them, just need a bit more
ALDI has the best brownie mix I have ever tasted! It puts all the other box mixes to shame - too bad you didn't include them😋
💯
Aldi is like that with many of their products, not to mention the great prices!
ALDI and Trader Joe’s are owned by the same company…often selling the same products under different labels.
For years I have made Betty Crocker Supreme with Walnuts brownie mix. I add in almost an entire bag of chocolate chips & watch the baking time carefully. Take out sooner rather than later. Everyone has always loved them.
I swirl softened peanut butter or jam thru brownies before baking.
Love this so much!
An interesting contrast with the recent Babish brownie tasting.
One problem with this test ... by limiting to only one box per manufacturer, you may skip over the best box that brand has and compare a meh box to a great one.
when they test anything, they pass over many brands... I suppose cost and tester time is a big factor... but one of their food processor tests pitted their "favorite" 13 cup food processor they use in their kitchens, to a 9 cup Kitchenaid doing the same processes... and... SURPRISE!!... THE FAVORITE won again... no bias here... 🙄
Same with the Epicurious brownie review. I was surprised ATK reviewed so few, as well!
I thought Babish was less useful. He got so sick of brownies, his fatigue introduced bias into the ranking.
I bought Ghirardelli based on this video and regret it. it is too dark. Baked Betty Crocker Walnut brownies at the same exact time and those are the ones we finished first. Everybody agrees and the Ghirardelli's for sure were not burnt. Betty Crocker brownies in my experience, the fudge and walnut varieties have a much better brownie texture than the Ghirardelli brownie impersonators. The Ghirardelli are like a really dark 70% chocolate cake and that is just not something that we are looking for. Thanks for the time but I wish you captured more of the classic American brownie in your review and keep that perspective in mind for your future content.
Specially Selected brand. Available at Aldi. Yum, yum, yum!
I use medium roast brewed coffee instead of water. I put big pieces of walnuts in half the pan (so everyone gets their preference) - I love biting thru the walnuts & they're a nice step back from the intensity, like kind of opposite of added chocolate chips. I think added chips are too much and not helpful if they end up solid at room temp.
Im a Duncan Hines Dark fan and I always add coffee.
Good review overall. Wish prices of mixes were also included.
This is awesome. Can you do this with gluten free mixes too?
I live at high altitude instead of adding more flour, I add dutch cocoa and C switch the oil and water as written. Brown Butter instead of oil is good too
Ghirardelli is good and Betty Crocker chunk is really good!
Hope you can try Dolly Parton’s /Hines brownie mix it is the best I have ever had 😊
I prefer Duncan Hines I have never bothered with Ghirardelli
Duncan Hines is my favorite boxed brownie
Same
It's interesting to me that the best only scored a 7/9.
Home made is usually best!
It's funny hearing the comments on the Betty crocker because that was my favorite as a kid, but I've never really liked chocolate. So the complaints were exactly why I liked it! 😂
Great report!
Best one was left off the testing list. Krusteaz Gluten Free Double Chocolate Brownie Mix is hands down the best. It tastes better than any traditional brownie mixes we’ve tried.
Aldi brownie mix is good. Like Betty Crocker too
Dolly Parton's Brownie mix is delicious. I like even better than ATK's #1 pick.
Ghirardelli’s triple chocolate with extra cocoa powder added and yes a little espresso powder. Then if I really want totally over the top melt semi sweet chips on the top when they come hot out of the oven. To die for!
all these ideas... now I'm thinking peanut butter frosting... LOL...
The white lily brand of boxed brownies has been the best I’ve ever had. 😊
I looooove Betty Crocker one!😂👍😋
Ghirardelli is the only brownie mix I like these days when I choose to make brownies from a mix but I swear Betty Crocker tasted much better when I was a child.
I always get the betty crocker on sale and use it for a base because I add more chocolate and espresso giving it a lot of help. Plus have you ever added condensed milk instead of oil to a mix? Plus the NUTS everything from pistachio to macadamia Betty Crocker brownies also are a great base for fruit or FUDGE toppings. Plus homemade icecream cake starts with a betty crocker brownie ;)
Go to 11:40 for the summary
My secret...ghirardelli double chocolate or dark chocolate...use good (melted) butter not oil, add an extra egg yolk, a little extra vanilla, sometimes extra cocoa powder, and a little good salt...grease pan with butter and sprinkle the buttered pan lightly with same salt. (Make sure to not over mix and use a metal pan). 💯💥
Im a sucker for the Pulsbruy milk chocolate ones. No they arent "great" brownies, but there is something about the flavor and chewiness I love. A little less intense than the good stuff.
How can they not suggest using butter in substitution of oil?
Absolutely!!!! Was think the same thing myself.
I add a healthy squirt (quarter cup, or so) of Hershey's chocolate syrup (if the box-mix doesn't already include that).
Ghirardelli is that girl!!!! I get a kind with chocolate chips in the mix and it's always delicious :) Will definitely keep an eye out for the TJ's mix, I wouldn't have expected it to rank so high
Thank you
How about Duncan Hines? Surprised that it wasn’t included.
Aldi has a really good boxed brownie mix! My Betty Crocker brownies have never turned out as dry as those looked.
"Your baking tutorials are fantastic! Have you ever tried using a bread slicer for perfectly even slices? It could make your beautiful bread even better!"🥺🥺🥺
Sorry! Duncan Hines fudgy and use avocado oil. Always moist and fudgy. Sometimes I use a round biscuit cutter for brownie "filets".
I usually make my own brownies, but for a box? I always use Ghirdelli Dark...now I will try it using coffee... I don't know why I never thought to do that before as with homemade, I always use espresso powder...
The good, the bad, and the fudgy is an understated line
I may be in the minority here but to me, adding coffee to chocolate just makes it taste like coffee. Every time a recipe I’ve made has called for it, I’ve ended up regretting the addition. I love coffee but not with chocolate.
It enhances the chocolate flavor for me. I don’t taste coffee, just more chocolate.
Try with less coffee, maybe that would be the change to make you a fan!
@@timford6019 there is no requirement to like coffee in one’s chocolate. OP is just fine doing as he wishes.
Coffee Brownie is a fantastic hack. Doing that with everything.
Ghirardelli has the better options too, they should’ve put up the dark chocolate mix it’s so much more chocolatey 🤤 Their double chocolate mix with some Reese’s peanut butter chips added is also 🔥
Jam a few Reese's peanut butter cups on top before baking 😍
No to the chocolate chips in brownies! Just let the brownie stand alone. A good brownie doesn’t need chocolate chips. I’ll definitely try the King Arthur mix. Thank you!
I really love Ghirardelli double chocolate - check that one out! They have at least 3 kinds I think
I like to scold in chocolate chips and swirl caramel ice cream topping or swirl in raspberry jam.
I always go brownie mix over homemade. Chocolate chunks are my favorite way to kick up brownies!
Mmm I used to go for Duncan Hines Fudge. That has changed, now I buy Ghirardelli.
I agree…no chocolate chips in brownies!
Now I want to try the Trader Joe's boxes brownies.
Ghiradelli for the win!
Thanks for the review
Going to have to try it. About 20 years ago when they made Hersheys Chocolate Syrup that you can buy it in the can I had a Recipe for using that to make Brownies.
Real simple. The can of syrup, flour, an egg, and something else. They were easy to make and the best I ever had.
I wish you would include store brands in these tests, great value, Krogers, Food City, ect. And leave out the things you have to mail order or drive hours (Trader joes) to get to a store.
My fav box mix alteration is to sprinkle a little extra sugar on top of the batter just before it goes in the oven to insure an extra crackly top.
@sandrah7512 Great Value also changes manufacturerers frequently.
in terms of food science chemistry, any reason NOT to swap oil w nice butter, water w cream? (plus 🍫)
No chocolate chips/chunks in my brownies...I thought I was the only one!
I've done my own comparison, and Betty Crocker was the worst. Duncan Hines is really good, but now I have to order King Arthur as it sounded like the winner. I'll probably pick up G at the store while waiting on the mail.
I use Betty Crocker Delight Supreme Fudge Brownie mix. But doctor them up, melted butter instead of oil, milk instead of water and add chocolate chips. They are VERY fudgy, moist, cracked top and chewy edges. 😋
For betty crocker you must have backed it wrong I've made them a lot and the crust is like your winner and has a lot of chocolate flavor and isn't dry
I personally dislike the Ghirardelli brownies and love the cheapest ones I can find (right now that’s Duncan Hines)! Typically I add chocolate chips (white chocolate, semi sweet, milk chocolate) and peanut butter and undercook them a little for a better texture (in my opinion)
Ghirardelli dark chocolate ones are the best there worth my cheat dessert
I only make Ghirardelli Brownies. They're the best.
I LOVE your fridge
You can taste espresso added to brownies. Chocolate is such an idiosyncratic flavor that even Tootsie Pops, who happily use artifice for their fruit flavors must begrudgingly use some cacao in their chocolate lollipop.
Baker's Corner- Aldi mix is the best.
Which one is best
Toilet brownies.
I like to add some real vanilla. It seems to bring out the chocolate flavor!