Chefs Agree on the Best Store-Bought Brownie Mix: What to Look For and Why It Works

A reliable shortcut for holiday baking (and beyond)

When the holidays are in full swing, baking often moves from a leisurely weekend project to something you want to pull together quickly—without giving up the dessert you’re craving. For chocolate lovers, brownies are a natural choice. Boxed brownie mixes are easy to find in supermarkets, and the variety can be overwhelming: different cocoa levels, “double chocolate” labels, and numerous promises of fudginess or chew.

While brownies made from scratch can be hard to beat, a store-bought mix offers convenience that’s difficult to ignore. It’s a practical option for a last-minute treat during the holiday season and a dependable pantry staple the rest of the year. The question is how to choose a mix that tastes like more than a shortcut.

What chefs look for in a boxed brownie mix

Three chefs shared the signals they rely on when deciding which brownie mix is worth buying. Their advice centers on a few consistent themes: ingredient quality, built-in chocolate boosters, and what the mix asks you to add at home.

• Start with the ingredient list. Chef Keesha O’Galdez recommends checking the label before anything else. In her view, “fewer ingredients is usually a good sign.” She also looks for real cocoa or chocolate rather than a heavy reliance on artificial flavors.

• Look for cocoa or chocolate early in the list. O’Galdez notes that when cocoa or chocolate appears near the beginning, it suggests there’s more of it—an indicator that the mix is built around chocolate flavor rather than just sweetness.

• Consider mixes that include a fudge or syrup packet. Chef Garrelts points out that a chocolate fudge or syrup packet can be folded into the batter to enhance both chewiness and flavor. It’s a built-in add-on that can make the final brownies taste richer and feel more substantial.

• Avoid mixes that only call for water. Pastry chef Jurgen David warns that brownie mixes requiring only water tend to produce flat-tasting brownies. A mix that depends solely on water may not deliver the depth many people expect from a chocolate dessert.

The unanimous pick: one brand stands out

After weighing those factors, the chefs all agreed on the same choice: Ghirardelli makes the best brownie mix among the options they considered. The shared reasoning wasn’t about marketing claims or novelty flavors; it came down to chocolate-forward taste, ingredient choices, and consistent texture.

O’Galdez says the brand stands out because it prioritizes chocolate flavor first. She highlights the inclusion of real chocolate chips and higher-quality cocoa, which she says creates a deeper, more balanced richness than many mainstream mixes that can skew overly sweet or one-dimensional.

Garrelts also points to the ingredient approach, noting that Ghirardelli uses fewer artificial flavors and preservatives than many standard boxed brands. For shoppers comparing labels, that aligns with the earlier advice to look for simpler ingredient lists and real cocoa or chocolate.

Texture matters just as much as flavor in brownies, and David emphasizes that Ghirardelli brownies stand out for how they feel when baked. Garrelts adds that while Ghirardelli is typically slightly more expensive than conventional boxed mixes, the superior flavor and texture reflect the added value.

Why it’s easy to use—even if you don’t bake often

Beyond taste, usability is a major reason people reach for a mix in the first place. According to O’Galdez, this particular mix is forgiving. She describes a batter that comes together easily and bakes into a consistently fudgy texture. That reliability can be especially helpful when you’re baking in a busy season and don’t want surprises.

O’Galdez also notes that the mix performs well even with small tweaks. Examples she shares include browning the butter, swapping in espresso, or reducing bake time slightly. In other words, it can work as a straightforward “follow the box” option, but it also holds up if you like to adjust a recipe to suit your preferences.

Specific mixes chefs reach for

Ghirardelli offers a range of brownie mixes. While the chefs describe the lineup as generally delicious, two specific boxes came up as consistent favorites, each for slightly different reasons.

• Ultimate Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix. Garrelts says this is the one he consistently reaches for. It includes both chocolate syrup and chocolate chips, which he credits for an exceptionally soft, ultra-fudgy texture and a decadent chocolate flavor. He adds that the richness is impressive for a boxed mix, and the extra chocolate components give it a depth and silkiness that tastes close to homemade.

• Double Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix. David favors this option for its intense chocolate flavor and shiny top crust—an appealing finish that many brownie fans look for.

A flexible pantry staple

Brownie mix is, of course, perfect for making brownies. But the chefs also point out that it can be used in creative, alternative ways if you want to upgrade the dessert or adapt it into another recipe. The broader takeaway is that a strong boxed mix can function as a versatile base: dependable enough to bake as-is, yet sturdy enough to handle small adjustments when you want a more personalized result.

If you’re scanning the baking aisle and want a practical guide, the chefs’ advice is straightforward: read the ingredient list, prioritize real cocoa or chocolate, consider mixes with built-in chocolate add-ins like syrup packets, and steer clear of options that rely on water alone. Using those benchmarks, their shared recommendation is clear: Ghirardelli delivers the fudgy texture and deep chocolate flavor they’re looking for in a store-bought brownie mix.