The $5 Brownie Mix That’s Even Better than Homemade (No, It’s Not Ghirardelli)

Lavanya Narayanan
·2-min read
head on shot of four brownies stacked on top of each other
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Kelli Foster Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Kelli Foster

Is it just me, or has TikTok kind of ruined the brownie? I love the simplicity of a good fudgy square. (You can even make a batch with just two ingredients.) The algorithm has other preferences, though. These days, for a brownie to truly WOW on my FYP (for you page) it needs to be swirled with cheesecake or topped with tiramisu.

Sure, I totally see the appeal of brown butter brookies, but at the end of the day — or even mid-afternoon — what I really just want is a plain ol’, super-chocolaty brownie I can quickly mix together. Enter: Birch Benders.

Birch blenders brownie mix.
Credit: Lavanya Naranyanan Credit: Lavanya Naranyanan

What’s So Great About Birch Benders Organic Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix?

If you’ve heard of Birch Benders in any capacity, it’s probably because of the brand’s ultra-fluffy pancakes. The brownie mix isn’t as widely known — but, in my humble opinion, it should be. I took one bite of a rich, fudgy brownie, and everything I thought I knew about boxed brownie mixes changed overnight.

Freshly baked brownies.
Credit: Lavanya Naranyanan Credit: Lavanya Naranyanan

The list of ingredients is relatively short and sweet: organic cane sugar, organic wheat flour, organic cocoa powder, salt, and organic natural flavors.

Birch Benders Organic Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix
Birch Benders Organic Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix

Birch Benders Organic Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix

Walmart

$4.48

Buy Now

The brownie mix comes in a 13.5-ounce bag, which is a few ounces smaller than the average boxed mix. At $4.48, it’s about 50 cents more than other premium brands, but I think it’s worth the splurge. I’d even say the Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix rivals some of the best homemade brownies I’ve had. Ever.

Freshly baked brownie on plate.
Credit: Lavanya Naranyanan Credit: Lavanya Naranyanan

What’s the Best Way to Make Birch Benders Organic Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix?

I mostly follow the package instructions. I mixed oil, eggs, and water together in a bowl before incorporating the dry mix. The bag suggests an 8-by-8-inch baking pan. I like to use a 9-by-13-inch pan for fudgy, dense brownies with relatively chewy edges. I also underbake them ever-so-slightly by shaving three to five minutes off of the stated bake time. It’s pure decadence.

Strawberries and whipped cream on top of brownies.
Credit: Lavanya Naranyanan Credit: Lavanya Naranyanan

You can serve the freshly baked brownies a la mode, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts ever-so-slightly over the top. The way that my family enjoys them most, though? Adorned with a heap of fresh strawberries and topped off with a dollop of whipped cream, Wimbledon-style. 

Buy: Birch Benders Organic Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix, $4.48 for 13.4 ounces at Walmart

This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: The $5 Brownie Mix That’s Even Better than Homemade (No, It’s Not Ghirardelli)

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