There’s a wide misconception that being vegan or plant-based means that you have to make EVERYTHING from scratch. Look, I didn’t make everything from scratch as an omnivore, so I have no plans of doing it now. However, I will say that I have found myself exploring more in the kitchen. Baking vegan-friendly goodies can still be as simple as popping open a box cake or brownie mix. Here's how to make box mix brownies vegan.
Trust me, this is all much simpler than you think. Simply follow the instructions on the box, but make a few small changes.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE BOX MIX BROWNIES VEGAN
- Vegan-Friendly Brownie Mix: Not all mixes are created equal, so you’ll want to check the ingredients label to make sure there are no milk, egg, or lard products in the mix. You’ll also want to avoid mixes that use, refined white sure. Look for organic mixes or kinds that use cane sugar.
- An Egg Replacement: This can be an actual egg replacer, but I’ve found mashed bananas or applesauce to be the best for baking. For each egg that the recipe calls for, you’ll need ¼ cup of mashed ripe bananas or applesauce to replace it.
- A Dairy Replacement: There are so many kinds of plant milk available that you really can take your pick. I like to use a high-fat option, like cashew milk. And if the recipe calls for butter, I just use vegan butter or coconut oil.
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Elevate the recipe by adding nuts or chocolate chips to the top before baking.
- For a richer flavor, replace about a ¼ cup of the milk in the recipe with brewed espresso.
- Follow the package baking temperature and time, but add about 10-20 minutes to the baking time. This will of course vary, so watch your brownies closely.
- Allow the brownies to rest and cool for at least 30 minutes. This helps to keep them from crumbling when you cut into them.
