Harvey asked a question today about using cake mix to make brownies.  I asked my anti-MIL on Instant Messenger, since one of her many talents is baking.  Instead of summarizing, I am going to paste the converstation with minor spelling corrections and omissions not relative.  Hope this helps, Harvey!

Amy says:
So... is there anything you can do to a store-bought box of cake mix to counteract the leavening effect of the baking powder?  Just wondering because I like brownies better than cake, but cake mix is cheaper.
Amy says:
that was a question on a blog I was reading
Amy says:
I figured you might know
Elsa says:
The only thing I would know would be to not add as much water or milk. Brownies usually don't have any in them. just the butter or shortening.
Elsa says:
I believe they do have baking powder, like cookies. Look at a brownie recipe
Amy says:
so if they do, add baking powder?
Amy says:
brownie's that is...
Elsa says:
hold on
Amy says:
i have a recipe book here
Elsa says:
I don't see any baking powder in them but I think just omitting the water and adding more fat would make a brownie. Probably like a cake brownie rather than a fudge one
Amy says:
cool
Amy says:
my cookbook has a recipe for cake brownies
Amy says:
and it has baking powder and baking soda
Amy says:
but the plain brownie does not
Amy says:
the cake brownie calls for more flour and milk
Elsa says:
probably not as much milk as a cake though
Amy says:
1 cup
Elsa says:
hmmmmm
Amy says:
i know
Amy says:
that should give him some direction to experiment
Elsa says:
I found one that call for baking powder but no milk. Just some butter and corn syrup...1/2 c each
Elsa says:
1/4 cup each
Elsa says:
I am pretty sure you could increase the fat and reduce the liquid and get a brownie
Elsa says:
a good one too
Amy says:
i am looking at my cake doctor cook book
Amy says:
it has some recipes for brownies that use cake mix
Elsa says:
that was my next step
Amy says:
thanks for your help!
Elsa says:
no prob
Elsa says:
I searched the web for brownies from cake mix. It looks like they are increasing the fat (1 stick melted) and omitting the liquid from a choc or lemon cake mix.

Category: Carnival of Recipes Blogging