With the rising popularity of plant-based diets and veganism, many people are looking for delicious dessert options that are free of animal products. For home bakers who want the convenience of a boxed brownie mix, it can be tricky to figure out which brands and flavors are vegan-friendly. This article will discuss how to identify vegan brownie mixes and recommend some of the best vegan boxed brownie mix options on the market.
What makes a brownie mix vegan?
For a brownie mix to be vegan, it must not contain any animal-derived ingredients. Here are some things to look out for when checking ingredient lists:
- Eggs – Most traditional brownie mixes contain eggs or egg products like egg whites or powdered eggs. Vegan mixes use egg replacements like flax seeds, banana, or apple sauce.
- Dairy – Milk, butter, and other dairy products are non-vegan. Vegan brownie mixes use oil or vegetable-based margarines in place of butter and non-dairy milk substitutes if needed.
- Honey – While technically non-vegan, many vegans will consume honey. But strict vegans avoid it.
- Flavorings – Some artificial flavors or natural flavorings can be animal-derived. Vanilla extract, for example, is often made with alcohol distilled from dairy.
- Sugar – Traditional brown sugar is filtered through bone char during processing, making it non-vegan. Some vegan brands use unrefined sugar or coconut sugar instead.
As long as the mix avoids these animal-based ingredients, it can be considered vegan. Checking the allergen statement for “dairy” or “egg” is an easy way to confirm.
Popular vegan boxed brownie mix brands
Here are some of the major brands that offer vegan boxed brownie mix options:
Betty Crocker
The Betty Crocker brand of brownie mixes and frostings are owned by General Mills. Many classic flavors like Milk Chocolate and Double Fudge are not vegan, but Betty Crocker has two vegan brownie mix varieties:
- Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix: This is one of their original mixes made without eggs or dairy. The ingredients are vegan except for possible trace amounts of milk from shared equipment.
- Betty Crocker Gluten Free Fudge Brownie Mix: The gluten-free version is also vegan, containing potato starch instead of wheat flour and using vegan ingredients.
Duncan Hines
Under the ConAgra foods brand, Duncan Hines offers a few vegan brownie options:
- Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix: This rich triple chocolate variety contains no dairy or eggs. It relies on oil and cocoa powder for moisture and richness.
- Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix: Despite the name, this contains no actual milk ingredients. It does contain small amounts of lactose as milk protein concentrate, so strict vegans may want to avoid.
Pillsbury
Owned by General Mills, Pillsbury offers one vegan variety:
- Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix: With no dairy or eggs on the ingredient list, this classic fudge brownie mix is labelled as vegan-friendly.
Trader Joe’s
The grocery store chain Trader Joe’s has an extensive vegan food selection. Their in-house brand of brownie mix comes in two vegan varieties:
- Trader Joe’s Brownie Mix: This contains no animal-derived ingredients. It uses canola oil instead of butter and a blend of baking soda and vinegar to replace eggs.
- Trader Joe’s Fudge Brownie Mix: Similar to their original mix but with extra cocoa powder and chocolate flavoring.
King Arthur
A top brand for gluten-free baking, King Arthur Flour offers some vegan brownie mixes:
- King Arthur Fudge Brownie Mix: Uses sunflower oil instead of butter and egg replacer powder.
- King Arthur Gluten Free Black Cocoa Brownie Mix: Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Contains black cocoa powder for extra richness.
Bob’s Red Mill
Known for whole grain flours, Bob’s Red Mill has vegan options in both traditional and gluten-free:
- Bob’s Red Mill Traditional Brownie Mix: Uses expeller-pressed canola oil and baking soda and vinegar as a vegan egg replacer.
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Brownie Mix: Vegan and gluten-free. Doesn’t contain common allergens like dairy, eggs, or nuts.
Vegan brownie mixes from smaller brands
Beyond the major national brands, there are now many smaller companies offering specialty vegan and allergy-friendly brownie mixes:
Enjoy Life Foods
Specialized in allergy-friendly and gluten-free baking, Enjoy Life Foods has a vegan Brownie Bite Mix.
Miss Jones Baking Co.
This woman-owned company has a vegan chocolate brownie mix sweetened with coconut sugar.
Katz Gluten Free
Katz offers vegan and gluten-free brownie mixes in flavors like chocolate, salted caramel, and pumpkin spice.
Swerve Sweets
A vegan and keto-friendly brand. Their brownie mix is made with almond and coconut flours and sweetened with stevia and erythritol.
NuGo Foods
These Functional Food brownie bites are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan.
Can you make doctored box mixes vegan?
Many home bakers enjoy making “doctored” box brownie mixes by adding extra ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, or espresso powder. To make doctored box mixes vegan, start with one of the vegan base mixes above and then add any extra ingredients you like. Here are some popular add-in options:
- Chopped nuts – walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.
- Dairy-free chocolate chips
- Shredded coconut
- Chopped vegan dark chocolate
- Cocoa powder
- Instant coffee or espresso powder
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
Following the instructions on the box, simply fold in your add-ins by hand after mixing up the batter. Then bake as directed for gooey, fudgy brownies packed with your favorite flavors.
Best recipes using vegan brownie mix
To take your vegan boxed brownies to the next level, try tweaking the basic recipe with different add-ins and toppings:
Vegan Salted Caramel Brownies
For a rich, decadent twist, top fudge brownies with homemade salted caramel sauce and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The sweet-salty flavor combination is heavenly.
Vegan Rocky Road Brownies
Fold in dairy-free chocolate chunks and marshmallows before baking and top with chopped almonds or walnuts when warm for rocky road-inspired brownies.
Vegan Mocha Brownies
Stir a couple teaspoons of instant coffee powder into the batter and top the baked brownies with melted vegan chocolate and dairy-free chocolate chips for mocha flavor.
Vegan Black Forest Brownies
For these decadent brownies, bake up a batch using a dark chocolate brownie mix. Fill with cherry pie filling while warm and top with coconut whipped cream.
Tips for best homemade vegan brownies
Using a vegan boxed mix gives you a shortcut to quick, easy brownies. But you can also make completely from-scratch vegan brownies. Here are some tips for getting perfect homemade vegan brownies every time:
- Use oil instead of butter – Coconut, avocado, and canola oil work well.
- Replace eggs with a blended combo of flax or chia seeds and water.
- Adjust flour – Less glutenous flours like almond or oat flour can improve texture.
- Up the chocolate – Use at least 60% cacao chocolate for best flavor.
- Use browned bananas – For extra moisture and binding without eggs.
- Add espresso powder – This intensifies the chocolate flavor.
- Be gentle mixing – Overmixing activates gluten, making them less fudgy.
- Bake at lower temp – Around 300??F allows the edges time to bake before the middle overcooks.
- Check at 25 minutes – Should be set at edges but still gooey in middle.
Conclusion
With so many quality options now available, preparing vegan brownies from a boxed mix can be just as easy and delicious as non-vegan versions. From trusted brands like Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines to smaller specialty brands, there are all kinds of egg-free and dairy-free mixes to choose from. With a few additional vegan ingredients added in like chocolate chunks or nuts, doctored box mixes can produce bakery-worthy fudgy, gooey brownies that no one would even guess came from a box.