Name: Vegan Cake Mix Brownies
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 (15.25-ounce) box chocolate cake mix; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 3 tablespoons aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans); 1 cup chocolate chips

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Vegan Cake Mix Brownies ~

Rich and fudgy brownies made with just 4 simple ingredients!

Table of Contents

Easy Egg-Free Brownie Recipe

This recipe scores major points in my book for simplicity. It takes five minutes of prep with four basic pantry ingredients, then 20 minutes in the oven. That’s it! The most time-consuming part of making these brownies is waiting for them to cool. While it may be tempting to cut into them right away, letting the brownies cool gives them time to set and firm up.

Rich and fudgy brownies made with just 4 simple ingredients! 20 minutes bake time.

Key Ingredient for the Best Vegan Brownies

I have tried making box mix brownies using a variety of egg replacements, including liquid egg substitute and flax eggs (flax seed mixed with water), with disastrous results – the brownies either didn’t set or were super thin both times. I have also used mashed banana and applesauce, which kind of works but overpowers the flavor of the brownies.

The secret ingredient in this easy brownie recipe and what finally yielded the best brownies is aquafaba. This staple of vegan baking is the liquid found in a can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans and is a fantastic egg replacer. The aquafaba acts as a binder, replacing the egg in many traditional brownie recipes, and its effect on the texture of the brownies is the same as using an egg. I also use aquafaba in our annual Christmas Fruitcake – a veganized version of the traditional fruitcake recipe passed down from my husband’s grandmother.

Ingredients for Vegan Cake Mix Brownies

You will need the following:

1 (15.25-ounce) box chocolate cake mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons aquafaba, liquid from a can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans
1 cup chocolate chips

Ingredient Notes

Chocolate Cake Mix – The most popular brands that have “accidentally vegan” cake mixes are Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker. I used Duncan Hines’ Devil’s Food cake mix for this recipe and loved the not-too-sweet dark chocolate flavor it gave the brownies. For more of a milk chocolate flavor, use classic chocolate cake mix.
Vegetable Oil – This neutral-flavor oil won’t overpower the rich, chocolatey flavor of the brownies.
Aquafaba - The liquid from a can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans binds the ingredients together and adds moisture for perfect vegan brownies.
Chocolate Chips – Check the label – Several brands now offer chocolate chips free of dairy products.

How to Make Vegan Cake Mix Brownies

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a few inches of paper sticking up on the sides, or spray the pan with flour-based nonstick cooking spray.

STEP TWO: In a large bowl, stir together or use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, and aquafaba. The batter will be very thick, like cookie dough. (Trust the process here and resist the urge to add liquid!)

STEP THREE: Stir in the chocolate chips.

STEP FOUR: Press the thick brownie batter into the prepared baking pan.

STEP FIVE: Bake for 20 minutes. Holding on to the parchment paper, lift the warm brownies out of the pan or leave them in the pan, then transfer them to a wire rack and let the brownies cool completely before cutting. Serve at room temperature.

Storage

These brownies should be covered or stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

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