We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Boxed Brownie Mix, and They All Said the Same Thing
I began my culinary career on the pastry side of the kitchen, and although I eventually moved to the hot line, I was always grateful for my time working with pastry chefs. They taught me the fundamentals of baking and pastry arts, and those skills proved to be invaluable for the length of my career as a line cook. I was one of the few who didn’t balk at making dough for tender dinner rolls or super-crispy crackers (and actually knew how to do it).
After I left professional kitchens, I drew from that knowledge to feed my family, creating desserts to delight my kids and husband. While I prefer from-scratch baking 90% of the time, there’s one exception to the rule: brownies. The fudgy dessert is so good in its boxed form, I hardly ever feel the need to break out the flour.
I know I’m not alone in my devotion, so I asked some of my chef friends which brand they prefer, and we all agree — it’s got to be Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix.
The Best Boxed Brownie Mix, According to Chefs
When it comes to brownies, it’s all about the chocolate. That melty, gooey, chocolaty goodness is essential, and it absolutely tracks that a 172-year-old chocolate brand would understand the assignment.
Tyler Malek, co-founder and head ice cream maker of Salt & Straw, opts for Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix whenever he’s short on time. He appreciates the brownies’ “ooey-gooey center” and the way the edges have a slight crunch. It’s got the “perfect balance of textures.”
The mix is even beloved by professional bakers. Broma Bakery‘s Sarah Fennel says Ghirardelli’s Double Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix is her go-to, too. “It’s rich in chocolate flavor and has that signature boxed brownie chew without being too dense. It is on the sweeter side, although I love that about it!”
“Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix is the clear winner,” says San Francisco native Peter Som, an award-winning fashion designer, culinary creator, and lifestyle expert. (His grandmother also lived right across the street from Ghirardelli Square, where the chocolate company is headquartered, while he was growing up.) “The chocolate flavor and quality is top-notch, and that reflects in the brownies: a balance of bittersweet and sweet, with that flaky top and chewy dense — but not stodgy — middle.”
Buy: Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix, $3.39 for 18 ounces at Target
Do you agree with these chefs? Tell us about it in the comments below.