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There isn’t one boxed brownie mix that wins for every palate. Published taste tests have named different favorites because they used different lineups and valued different things, from a dense fudgy center to a crackly top or a cakier bite. The comparisons below can help you narrow your choice, but they are not results from a taste test conducted by The Finance Base.
Why brownie-mix “winners” differ
Each panel makes a subjective call based on its own recipes, tasters and criteria. The Kitchn’s March 25, 2025 blind test compared seven mixes with 12 staff tasters, who considered taste, texture, appearance, smell and whether they would buy a mix again. The panel focused on plain brownies without add-ins and chose Bob’s Red Mill Fudgy Brownie Baking Mix as its winner. Read The Kitchn’s test.
Bon Appétit’s March 8, 2023 test baked six mixes according to package directions and judged chocolate flavor, the balance between fudgy and cakey texture, and a thin crackly top. It ranked Trader Joe’s first and Annie’s a close second. Its tasters found Ghirardelli’s selected Double Chocolate mix too sweet for their taste, while some thought Duncan Hines was too cakey; those are panel reactions, not universal product traits. See Bon Appétit’s comparison.
A later blind tasting by Sporked, published October 31, 2025, named different winners for different preferences: King Arthur Gluten-Free Ultimate Fudge for best overall, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium for extra chocolate flavor, Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge for a cakey brownie, and Duncan Hines Dolly Parton’s Fabulously Fudgy for a fudgy one. See Sporked’s category picks. The Washington Post’s January 17, 2024 test of ten mixes likewise reported differing reactions: some tasters found the edges of Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge tough, while others liked its fudgy center. Read The Washington Post’s test.
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#1 Best Overall
- One 18.3 oz box of Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix
- Decadent chocolate flavor creates rich, moist fudge brownies
- Use this boxed brownie mix for an easy chocolate dessert or birthday brownies
- Each chocolate brownie mix makes enough for a 13 by 9 inch pan of chocolate brownies
- Just add eggs, water and vegetable oil for moist, fudgy brownie batter
Choose by the brownie you want
For a dense, fudgy center
Look for a mix described as fudgy, but treat that label as a starting point rather than a guarantee of your preferred texture. Sporked selected Duncan Hines Dolly Parton’s Fabulously Fudgy in its fudgy category, while The Kitchn chose Bob’s Red Mill Fudgy Brownie Baking Mix as its overall winner. Those results come from separate panels and should not be read as a head-to-head comparison.
For a cakier bite
Sporked named Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge its cakey pick. Bon Appétit’s tasters, by contrast, considered the Duncan Hines mix they tried too cakey for their preference. That difference is a useful reminder: “cakey” is not inherently better or worse; it is a matter of what you want from a brownie.
Rank #2
- FUDGIER BROWNIES: Bake a mouthwatering dessert with a mix that makes fudgier brownies compared to our prior recipe
- HOME-BAKED CHOCOLATE DECADENCE: Indulge your sweet tooth with supremely delicious brownies made with big chunks of real chocolate
- QUICK AND EASY: Make a family favorite treat by simply adding a few ingredients as directed and popping this mix in the oven
- DAY BRIGHTENING BROWNIES: Add some joy to life's little moments or bigger celebrations; Sweeten up your everyday, or bake some for office treats, parties, and get-togethers
- CONTAINS: One 18 oz box of Betty Crocker Supreme Chocolate Chunk Brownie Mix; Makes 16 servings
For more pronounced chocolate flavor
Sporked picked Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium for an extra-chocolatey result. Chocolate intensity and sweetness are separate considerations, though. Bon Appétit’s panel found its selected Ghirardelli Double Chocolate mix too sweet, so a strong chocolate profile may not suit someone who prefers less sweetness.
For a gluten-free option
Sporked named King Arthur Gluten-Free Ultimate Fudge its best overall mix in its October 2025 tasting. A favorable taste-test result does not establish that a product is suitable for every allergy or dietary need. Read the current package’s ingredient, allergen and cross-contact information before buying or serving it.
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- BROWNIE MIX: Whip up a delicious dessert with this milk chocolate brownie mix that creates mouthwatering brownies
- QUICK AND EASY: Make brownies by just adding a few ingredients as directed and popping in the oven
- ENDLESS OPTIONS: Prepare chocolate brownie mix as is or explore the many Betty Crocker creative recipes to create baked goods for entertaining
- SPECIAL OCCASION TREATS: Bake milk chocolate brownie mix for sweet celebrations and everyday moments
- CONTAINS: One 16.3 oz box of Betty Crocker Favorites Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix
Check the instructions and package before buying
Added ingredients and baking directions vary by product, and even familiar brands may offer different options for texture or pan size. Betty Crocker’s official page lists Favorites Fudge Brownie Mix in a 16.3 oz package. Its standard directions call for water, vegetable oil and two eggs; it says three eggs produce a cakier result and provides baking directions by pan size. The page advises checking the physical package for the latest ingredient, nutrition and allergen information. Check Betty Crocker’s product page.
- Follow the directions on the specific box, including its pan size, oven temperature and baking time.
- Check current package size and ingredients; formulations and labels can change.
- For allergies or dietary restrictions, use the package’s current allergen and cross-contact statements rather than relying on a review or product name.
- Compare current shelf prices and package sizes at the retailer. The historical prices printed in older reviews are not current price guidance.
How to use taste-test rankings
Use published rankings to identify candidates, then match them to your priorities: fudgy or cakey texture, chew at the edges, chocolate intensity, sweetness and the top’s appearance. A single overall ranking can hide those trade-offs. The published tests above are not directly comparable because they sampled different mixes and used distinct panels and criteria.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- One 18 oz box of Duncan Hines Classic Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix
- Milk chocolate flavor that is sure to satisfy everyone
- Use this box of brownies for everyday desserts or birthday brownies
- Makes a 13 by 9 inch pan of chocolate brownies
- Just add eggs, water and vegetable oil to make a quick chocolate dessert
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
