Cake Mix Brownies

1 13.25-oz. box cake mix, any flavor, see note
½ cup vegetable oil or canola oil
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
{optional} 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips see note
{optional} ½ cup chopped nuts see note

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line an 8”x8” baking pan with parchment paper (or spray pan with nonstick cooking spray); set pan aside.

Using a large bowl, add cake mix, oil, eggs and vanilla; stir until well combined.
{Optional} Add in any chocolate chips, walnuts, etc; stir until well combined.

Transfer the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish. (Note: The batter will be thick, so use a rubber spatula to spread it evenly into the dish.)

Bake brownies for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out mostly clean.

Let brownies cool fully in pan before slicing and serving.


Note:
Any flavor of boxed cake mix can be used to make cake mix brownies. Chocolate cake mix is the obvious choice for traditional chocolate brownies, but vanilla cake mix can be used to make blondies. Lemon cake mix, strawberry cake mix or even red velvet cake mix are all options, too!

The chocolate chips and walnuts are optional add-ins depending on your preferences. Depending on the flavor of boxed cake mix, you can change the add-ins. For instance, white chocolate chips would go well with lemon or strawberry. Peanut butter chips would be good with either vanilla or chocolate cake mix. Chopped candy bars or M&M’s would be good choices, too! Have fun – experiment with your favorite flavors!