Easy Doctored Brownie Mix (with Mint Chocolate)

If you love chocolate and mint, you're going to adore these easy mint chocolate brownies. They're rich, minty, and best of all, easy to make. Like so many of our recipes here at Out of the Box Baking they start with a box mix.

Can I Doctor a Boxed Brownie Mix?

I know. You’re thinking, “Why would I need to doctor a boxed brownie mix? Aren’t they fine, just like they are?" 

Oh, my friend. . .once you try these additions you won’t go back. Just a few simple tweaks and you can turn that plain, ordinary brownie mix into something extraordinary. And all for pennies on the dollar. 

Maybe you’re skeptical. You think to yourself, “I like my boxed mix just fine.” Or maybe you’re a purist and you only eat homemade brownies. I promise, if you’ll give this recipe a try you’ll be converted. This is so easy, so quick, and so inexpensive that it’s sure to make your day. 

Mint and Chocolate? Is that a thing? 

If you’ve been following my blog for any time at all, you know that I love the combination of mint and chocolate. One of my very first posts was for my (now infamous) Mint Oreo Trifle. And my Double Mint Chocolate cookies have been a big hit with family members, too. 

Most of my mint chocolate concoctions are homemade. But here at Out of the Box Baking we’re all about starting with a boxed mix. So, when I reached for a box of Milk Chocolate brownies my first thought was, “Okay now. What can I do with these to make them better?”

You can make a boxed mix taste better.

I was baking these brownies for a friend, and I suspected she would love the addition of mint, so I took a chance and added a full bag of mint chocolate chips to the mix. The cool mint chips always take chocolate to another level! 

I added a few other things, too, as you will see when you click the printable recipe below. 

These Brownies Got Rave Reviews!

The reviews were swift and sure! I got a text reading, “I ate one of the brownies last night and they were REALLY good!” (from my granddaughter)

I got another text from my new friend that read: “The brownies are sooooooooo good!” 

I guess the extra ingredients really did the trick! (And why not? These brownies taste like thin mints and everyone loves those!) 

BROWNIE INGREDIENTS: 

Speaking of ingredients, here’s what I put in my mint-chocolate brownies. (I’m guessing you probably have most of these ingredients on hand!) 

• Box of milk chocolate brownie mix (or flavor of your choice)
• Butter (in place of vegetable oil)
• eggs
• Milk
• Chocolate pudding (instant)
• Mint chocolate chips
• Vanilla extract (optional)

How to Make this Doctored Brownie Mix recipe: 

This is an easy brownie recipe and they turn out perfectly! I used Betty Crocker but you can use any brand you choose. 

You won’t even need mixer, (though you are more than welcome to use a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment). I just stirred mine up with a rubber spatula, my go-to for quick one-bowl recipes. 

Melt your butter in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. I put mine in for about 30 seconds.

Put your dry ingredients (brownie mix and box of pudding) into a bowl and combine. Add butter. Stir in your egg and mix well, then add your milk. Now add your mint chocolate chips.

I won’t judge you if you use the whole bag. That’s what I did. (I’m a firm believer that adding a bit of goo to brownies is essential.) 

You might need to gauge the amount of liquid you want in your brownies. This is a thick brownie batter, thanks to the addition of the pudding. I thinned mine down a little with a tablespoon or two of water. (You can use milk to thin, if you prefer.) 

Prepare a 9x13” pan by spraying it with non-stick spray. Spoon in your batter.

Place in a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for 25 minutes or until brownies are crispy on the edges and the top of the brownies are set. 

Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. (If you haven’t invested in cooling racks, you don’t know what you’re missing! They’re a key ingredient for baking success!) 

Wait until your brownies have cooled to cut. I was dividing mine between two families, (my new friend and my grandchildren, who love anything mint chocolate). They each got 12 brownies. (This recipe makes a lot!)

Variations on this Doctored Brownie Mix

These doctored box brownies are so good y’all, but my mind is reeling as I think about other ways to make them. These simple tricks will make you feel like a real pro.

Here are a few of my suggestions: 

• There are so many ways to enjoy these chocolate mint brownies. You can melt your mint chocolate chips over the top instead of adding them to the batter. Just sprinkle them on top about five minutes before the brownies come out of the oven. After they melt, swirl them around to make a colorful glaze! This mint-chocolate glaze will make your guests swoon! 
• To make fudgy brownies increase the butter by ¼ cup. You can always add an extra egg. 
• If you can’t find mint chocolate chips just buy Andes mints and chop them up. 
• Looking for more chocolate flavor? Add two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder. 
• Another way to enhance the chocolate flavor is to add a teaspoon of espresso powder. Dissolve it in the milk or butter first. 
• Not a mint fan? Use regular chocolate chips (or chocolate chunks).
• Take your brownies to the next level by adding ¼ cup of brown sugar. (Oh my!) 
• Skip the mint chocolate chips and add peanut butter chips instead. (Seriously? Peanut butter and chocolate? Can you even???) 
• Add caramel chips and drizzle melted caramel on top before serving. Or, swirl melted caramel into the batter after you put it into the pan. (Yum!) 
• Turn your brownie mix into cookies. Make as directed (adding whatever you like) but skip the milk (or water). Scoop onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet. 
• Use white chocolate chips in your brownie cookies. (Tasty and appealing to the eye!)
• Sandwich your cookies together with some of my Dreamy Buttercream Frosting between them. This would be a winning combination, for sure! 
• Turn this recipe into muffins. Bake in a muffin tin (no liners necessary, but spray the muffin tin with non-stick spray). 
• Make brownie bites! Place the batter in a mini muffin tin. 
• Make cheesecake brownies. Prepare a block of room temperature cream cheese by mixing it with a cup of powdered sugar. Then swirl it into your brownies. If you’re feeling fruity you can also swirl in some strawberry (or raspberry) preserves. 
• Make cake mix brownies. Follow these instructions exactly, but use a Devil’s food cake mix instead of a brownie mix. 
• Love Reese’s peanut butter cups? Chop up a few and add to the mix! (Next time I might have to try this!) 

Questions People are Asking about Doctored Brownie Mixes:

Do I have to use a particular brand of brownie mix? 

No, but you do need to start with a plain mix, meaning one that doesn’t already have caramel, chocolate chips, nuts, or any other additions. Those mixes are already pretty loaded! To doctor those, I would simply substitute butter for oil and add milk instead of any water. 

Can I use a cake mix to make brownies? 

Absolutely! I often start with a boxed cake mix for my brownies. They’re basically the same thing, but a cake uses more oil, eggs, and water. (This conversation is making me want to turn a brownie mix into a cake. Hmm.) 

How do I store these Mint Chocolate Brownies? 

Place in an airtight container (or cover with plastic wrap). They will stay fresh for 3-4 days. If you decide to refrigerate them, they should stay good for a week. Be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving. You can always seal them up tight in an airtight container and freeze for later use. Just let them come to room temperature naturally. 

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These mint-chocolate brownies would be perfect for a school bake sale, or as a gift for a neighbor or friend. They’re fast and easy, so you can whip them up in no time to take to your Bible study group or to that next business meeting. 

This is truly one of those brownie mix recipes you’ll use again and again and you’ve probably already got the ingredients you need in your pantry right now! 

Other Great Recipes from Out of the Box Baking: 

If you’re a purist and insist on homemade brownie, check out my Easy Brownies (from scratch). It comes together as quickly as a boxed mix. 

My Stuffed Brownie Cookies are the bomb! If you’re a brownie fanatic, you’re going to love them! I promise! 

If you want something brownie-like but don’t like to go overboard with the chocolate, you should try my Ooey-Gooey Chocolate Chip Blondies. They’re amazing (and so easy to make). 

I found another great looking brownie cookie recipe at South Your Mouth, one of my favorite sites. It looks really yummy!

Hop on over to Miz Helen's, y'all! Her Full Plate Thursday is so great!

Enjoy the great Weekend potluck offerings over at South your Mouth, one of my favorite food blogs!

Thanks for stopping by, y'all! Let me know what you think about my delicious brownies!

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