Boxed Brownies Are 10X More Flavorful When You Add This Nutty Ingredient (It's Not Walnuts)

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No time to make brownies from scratch? No problem — pick up a boxed mix. They only require a few ingredients and steps to bake. If you're a seasoned baker, you may already have tricks to customize boxed brownies: chopped walnuts or pecans, white chocolate or peanut butter chips, or chocolate shavings are popular mix-ins. But a simpler way is to make them nutty with almond extract.

Adding just 1 ½ teaspoons of almond extract is one of many ways to improve store-bought brownie mix. In fact, a few drops of this extract can make any dessert richer and more dimensional. Chocolate and almond are already a popular combination, but extract is often more potent than the actual nuts — meaning you'll surely taste its sweet, nutty flavor throughout the mix. 

After adding extract to the batter, follow the instructions on the box as usual. Including extract shouldn't change the overall texture or consistency of the final product. Try out McCormick Pure Almond Extract — it's available on Amazon, Walmart, and at most major grocery stores. Just make sure not to go overboard. Any more than 2 teaspoons can overpower the dessert. 

There are plenty of ways to take regular fudge brownie mix from ordinary to extraordinary. First, try adding both almond and vanilla extract to the mix — using no more than about 1 teaspoon of each. Combining these two flavors will create a warm, deep flavor that pairs well with fudgy chocolate. You could then take this even further by giving your brownies a coffee-flavored twist with one ingredient swap. 

You could also put frosting on top of your brownies. Chocolate frosting is usually the go-to, but you can also upgrade store-bought frosting with this aromatic, nutty addition. Just ¼ to 1 teaspoon of almond extract mixed into vanilla or white frosting makes all the difference in taste.If you still prefer crunch in your brownies, add a sprinkle of slivered almonds to the top of the final product. Or mix some crushed walnuts, pecans, or peanuts into the batter before baking. 

For brownies with a fun, nostalgic twist, buy some rainbow confetti dot sprinkles and add them on top of the frosting — it'll look and taste similar to those nostalgic Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies. The possibilities are almost endless with a blank canvas like brownie mix, so get to baking!