This chocolate idea started when I saw Fake-It Frugal’s idea to make a fake Betty Crocker Brownie Mix. The reason being is simple. I like homemade chocolate treats and I bake them quite a bit. Sometimes, honestly, a box of quick and easy Betty Crocker brownies really appeals to me. There is something about the flavor and simplicity of it all that I like.
Now, I need to give you the rest of the story on this. My husband likes brownies from a box. When I spot a great sale, I pick up a couple boxes because it makes him happy – which makes me happy. Since he likes them so much, he can quickly spot if I use a different brand or tweak a recipe.
Case in point. My cousin, Brogan, was visiting and I decided to bake a pan of brownies to go with our quick dinner before we headed off to the football game. I ran out of oil (one of the few add-ins) which was odd because I always try to keep an extra bottle on hand. I substituted applesauce for the oil and finished baking the brownies. I noticed right away the texture was different, but didn’t say anything.
After the first bite, my husband (lovingly) asked what I did different. I confessed. We laughed, and he left the brownies for Brogan and I to enjoy. After he left, guess what I discovered hiding in the back of my pantry? The extra bottle of oil I actually did have on hand. Sigh.
When I saw this recipe, I knew it would have to be good to be a standby so I decided to give it a try. Here it is.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Directions:
Mix the ingredients with a whisk. Add the following ingredients, when you are ready to make the brownies.
If you want to use it as a mix for later, store the mix in a ziploc bag and add the following ingredients later. Notate them on the bag for easy reference!
Add:
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pour into a greased 9 by 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
The brownies bake up fine and are decent brownies, but if you are looking for the box mix flavor, these aren’t quite it. I used them as a starter recipe and they worked well.
The original recipe says you can bake a mix for $0.30. If you add in eggs, as well as the rising cost of sugar, I think it would be closer to $0.50 for a mix.
Considering that I buy Betty Crocker mixes when they are on sale for $0.75 or less (with a Box Top), I find the cost very close and comparable. Still, it was a fun project and I’m glad I tried it!
I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on this homemade mix. Or, do you prefer the name brand mix like my husband? 
For all the other chocolate recipes, click on the button image below to view the rest of the recipes from my 31 Days of Chocolate.
What a great idea! I can see putting the mix in a jar for Christmas gifts. Hmmmm…
Kati recently posted..31 Days of Decadent Desserts {Day 12} German Apple Cake and Link-up
Thanks for the recipe. I tried making it with one of my all purpose gluten free flour mixes and it turned out ok. I think there was to much sugar to really compare, so I’m going to try and cut the sugar back a little and add some chocolate chips into the mix. We’ll see how it goes. If it works out it’ll be a HUGE savings in comparison to the typical $4-5 box for a gluten-free brownie mix.
I hope it works and saves you lots of money, Alisha! Chocolate that tastes good, and is frugal? Even better! Let me know how it turns out.