Chocolate chip cookies, let me tell you, if you’re under the impression that you’re somehow superior to brownies born out of a box, then you’re in need of a serious whisking: I won’t tolerate one bite of that attitude in my kitchen.
Irresistibly fudgy and rich, dazzled with satisfying sweetness as well as chocolatey chewiness, boxed brownies are the love of my life. To all dessert lovers, you can croon over whatever gooey confection you desire—boxed or not—but I’ve found that the ease of preparation lends itself best to my general post-quarantine mood and ambitions. Last year during remote learning and now on the weekends after an exhausting week of in-person school, I’ve frequently found myself turning to this haven in a box. Like a refuge of sweetness that is both refined and non-overwhelming, these squares of dessert fulfill all my sugar-driven needs.
For anyone else who feels the urge to give in to their sweet tooth every once in a while, please don’t let the unassuming cardboard packaging deceive: Whip up what’s inside, pop everything into the oven and watch it rise! When the grand slab of deep brown deliciousness has been sliced and tested for ideal levels of warmth, start with my go-to spot and jimmy out a corner piece. Sink your teeth in deep and divulge fully in the opulent bursts of both dense and flaky chocolate. After you’ve licked up every crumb, don’t be shy: Go ahead and grab another, and another…
Over the course of my brownie forays into the oven—and into the world of lazy baking—I experimented with many different boxed brands. After enjoying a variety of options, though, my taste buds developed the sense that a few stood out from the pack. While good old Betty Crocker’s never fails to deliver pure delights, try stepping it up a notch in terms of richness and density by opting for Ghirardelli’s, which has got you covered with silky smooth chocolatey grooves—making all other brands look like wannabes.
And if you want to look like a “real” chef starting with picking your own cocoa beans, be my guest—but again, know that the easy way out tastes just as amazing. Stud your brownies with a chocolate chip constellation for that extra sweetness, or add a light layer of cold vanilla icing for that perfect texture combination of smooth icing and chewy square underneath (if you’re craving color, stick some rainbow sprinkles on top for additional crunchiness). The marriage of thin and thick consistencies will undoubtedly evoke an addiction or even better—a hypnotic craze.
Whatever route you take with your brownies, remember that you can never err with this boxed luxury… unless, of course, you misread the mix!
Photo by Helen Katz/The ECHO
