Crack Brownies

Crack Brownies

Recently, I searched, “How to make boxed brownies better” looking for box brownies hacks.  I stumbled across a simple hack that I have since coined as my “Crack Brownies”.

This boxed brownies hack has since become one of my favorite family dessert recipes, especially for the holidays. 

I’ve inherited the title of “Family Fudge Maker” from my Mawmaw and it’s definitely a Christmas must-have for most of my family members on my mom’s side. 

Mawmaw’s fudge is so decadent. 

Dare I say that I like these brownies even better? 

They are positively sinful.

 

 

*UPDATE:  Since originally posting this recipe in 2019, it has gone viral on Pinterest several times.

And I totally get why they keep going viral, they’re SO easy to make and every single person who tried them LOVES them!

These crack brownies with sweetened condensed milk are officially the best brownies I have ever tasted.

And probably the easiest too.  They’re basically just poke brownies with sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips.

I prefer to always bake my crack brownies in this glass 9×13 pan from Amazon.

 

Love this Crack Brownies Recipe?  Here are more treats you’ll love!

Mom’s (Better Than Dairy Queen!) Ice Cream Cake

Cinnamon Crescent Roll Cheesecake – Easy & Delicious Sopapilla Cheesecake

Fall Puppy Chow Recipe

 

If you’ve never heard of poke brownies or poke cake before, it’s exactly what it sounds.  It’s a cake or brownies that you poke holes in after baking and pour a topping over so that it seeps into the center.  Talk about ooey gooey deliciousness.

I dare you to try them and tell me otherwise.  Hint…  You won’t!!

 

Crack Brownies Recipe angela lanter hello gorgeous

 

This recipe has now gone viral on Pinterest multiple times and with good reason…

They really are THAT GOOD, y’all.

If you haven’t made these sinful brownies yet, then what the heck are you waiting for?!

You’ll never make box brownies without sweetened condensed milk again.

Here’s my crack brownies condensed milk recipe.

 

baking must haves 

 

CRACK BROWNIES RECIPE NOTES:

 

You can use any combination of brownies and chips that you want.

I’ve made several batches now and my favorite combination has been dark chocolate brownies with milk chocolate chips. They melted into the most incredible ooey gooey dessert I’ve ever tasted.

Top these crack brownies with ice cream, they are the closest thing your tastebuds will get to heaven.

If you don’t like gooey brownies, then go with a traditional brownie mix (like pictured above) and follow the instructions for cake-like brownies.

Personally, I don’t think this version comes anywhere near close to the gooey version, but my hubby prefers this style. To each your own!

If you have a Christmas party coming up, consider giving this delicious dessert a try!

 

Crack Brownies

A lot of desserts call for a ton of ingredients, multiple steps and a lot of time invested. That’s another reason why I love this recipe so much, it’s so simple that it’s almost impossible to mess them up.

  1. Prepare and bake brownies according to instructions on box.

  2. Once baked (toothpick should come out clean!) poke holes throughout baked brownies with a knife.

  3. While brownies are hot, pour 1/2 a can of sweetened condensed milk over brownies. Use a spatula to spread milk evenly.

  4. Sprinkle 1/2 a bag of milk chocolate chips on top.

Dessert
Brownies

 

Love this Crack Brownies Recipe?  Here are more treats you’ll love!

Mom’s (Better Than Dairy Queen!) Ice Cream Cake

Cinnamon Crescent Roll Cheesecake – Easy & Delicious Sopapilla Cheesecake

Fall Puppy Chow Recipe

 

Do I need to bake after adding condensed milk and chocolate chips?

No need to bake again. Once fully cooked, add your topping and just let your brownies sit.

Which box brownies should I use?

Any brownies you want!

Can I substitute different flavored chips on top?

I don’t see why not! Try it out and let me know how it turns out. 🙂

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147 Comments
  • Another great brownie hack for yummy and gooey boxed brownies is adding (…sounds gross but wait for it) a big cup of mayonnaise! If you think about it, Mayo is made with oil and eggs so it makes them very moist. When my boys were growing up all their friends always begged me to make what they called, “God Brownies” (because they’re so good lol) To this day whenever their friends visit, I’m still asked to make them.

    • Angela Lanter

      I’ve heard of this trick before but I’ve never tried it!

      • Kathy McAllister

        What do you do with the other half can of condensed milk?

        • Eat it with a spoon!!!! Or pour it over snow cones. Or maybe make a second batch of brownies!

        • Lisa merwin

          Mix it in coffee, Vietnamese coffee, so good.

          • Debra A Elias

            My Italian grandmother used it in her coffee all her life. So good!

        • Use it to make ‘Brazilian limeade’ mix in with the lemon or lime aid- oh. Yum.

          • Turnspike

            I happen to have half a can of con/sweet milk to spare, a brownie mix, and mini chocolate chips. My brownies will be ready in 20 min, and with these ingredients, they can’t miss. Thank you for this!

          • Angela Lanter

            Hope you love them!!

        • Cindy Herget- Donaldson

          Label the ziplock bag and freeze it flat freezing flat will thaw easier for the next batch.

    • Mini years ago we were all eating a chocolate cake at a party and everybody was raving about it until they said it was made with mayonnaise and everybody just stopped and looked at each other. It was amazing and you would never have known it was mayonnaise.

    • I’ve always used mayonnaise instead of oil for packaged brownies and cakes. My mum taught me that. Aldis has a brand that works well. Just use the same amount that is called for the oil.

    • Do you substitute the mayo for the eggs and oil or in addition to them?

      • Angela Lanter

        I’ve never tried that before!

      • Lauren Munro

        Wondering the same – do you changed the ingredients or do you just add the mayo?

        • I use mayo in all my cake and brownies follow the ingredients on the box just substitute mayo for the oil.

      • Megan S Colucci

        Substitute the mayo for the oil in direct proportion. The eggs don’t change — add as it says on the box. Just the mayo for oil is swapped.
        I make all my cakes/brownies with mayo as a substitute. Much more moist than with the oil.
        Now I am a Hellman’s girl, through and through. So I cannot attest to any other brand being good 🙂

      • I use the mayo instead of the oil but still use the eggs.?

    • How much mayonnaise in does it replace the other ingredients or is it in addition to to the other ingredients

      • can I use Greek yogurt instead of mayo/oil? or should I add more or less than required amount?

        • Don’t you Put the brownies back in the oven to melt chocolate chips??

          • Thats my question after condensed milk and chips Are you done or do you put it back in the oven?

          • Angela Lanter

            Nope! It should be warm enough to melt the chips a bit!

    • I’m a miracle whip user. Can I use that or it has to be real mayonnaise

      • Angela Lanter

        I’ve never tried Miracle Whip or Mayo in this recipe.

      • Collette

        I would say NO to Miracle Whip.
        It’s has more of a sandwich tanginess to it- better for sandwiches.
        Use real MAYONAISE

        • I’ve had mayonnaise cake my entire life, but growing up my mom always bought miracle whip and never mayonnaise. I’m in my 50’s and to this day can’t remember ever purchasing real mayonnaise, so technically I guess I’ve grown up with miracle whip cakes, but whatever you call it, it’s amazing, so I’m going to say, yes, you can absolutely substitute mayo with miracle whip

          • Melissa

            Me too. 🙂
            My Grandma’s recipe called for salad dressing.. Meaning Miracle Whip. 🙂 Topped with peanut butter frosting.. YUM!

    • Does the cup of mayo replace the eggs & oil. Or is in ” in addition to”?! Thanks for the tip!!

    • Do you add that addition to the ingredients listed in this recipe?

    • lisa byrnes

      what is your recipe exactly and do you use Hellmans or Dukes?!! I’ll give it a try.

    • Jennifer

      How much mayo???

    • So do you still use oil and eggs in addition to the big scoop of mayonnaise? Or eliminate them

    • Would that be in place of the oil and eggs or in addition to?

    • Do you substitute the Mayo for the eggs and oil or in addition to?

    • Do you put it back in the oven to bake longer?????

    • My hack is replacing the water the recipe calls for with kahlua!!! I’m going to try your hack with mine!!

    • Hello! I was just wondering if you use the recipe on the box with the oil, eggs and mayo or instead of the oil and eggs?

    • Is the 1 cup of mayonnaise in place of the oil and eggs noted in the recipe? Or in addition to?

  • Love everything about your blog ? glad I subscribed finally!! These crack brownies will be a bonus❤️ Thank you for sharing

    • YuWanda Mines

      Hey, once you add the chocolate chips on top do you place it back in the oven to melt?

      • Following!!

        • Ashley Thomas

          following!
          it seems like the chips would need to melt!

          • The recipe doesn’t seem complete. Once you have it the choc chips on do you put it back in the oven or do they not melt?

        • Following, too!

      • Do you have to put the brownies back in over after adding condensed milk and chips and for how long?

      • Curious also if you put it back in the oven after you put the chocolate chips on?

      • Cindy Herget- Donaldson

        This is what I want to know….
        I imagine the brownies should be hot enough… but I think I’d put it back in for at least 5 minutes

  • Making these for Christmas with the family!!

    • Angela Lanter

      I’ve heard of this, but haven’t tried it before!

  • Isabella

    These brownies were the hit of our Christmas party!! No one could get enough!

  • Alicia Parsons

    Omg ? these were mouth watering delicious ? my whole family loved them! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.

  • I’m making these brownies tonight. I’ve been so excited to try them!

  • Just made these to bring to super bowl party ??? can’t wait to taste them

  • Nancy Hinson

    My 9×13″ brownie mix usually makes a thin layer so I always use 2 mixes. Can I double your recipe?

    • Angela Lanter

      Yay! I hope you love them!

    • How long do the brownies need to sit, to completely soak in the condensed milk?

  • Janet Kent

    These are so delicious! Now how about your MawMaw’s fudge recipe?!

  • Does your box of brownies say it makes an 8×8 or 9×13? My box says 8×8… so just curious what your box says!

    • Angela Lanter

      I prefer my brownies thinner so I use a 9×13. 🙂

  • Nancy Rovatti

    Hi,
    You received a comment about doubling the brownie mix, you replied “sure”, do you also have to double the condensed milk and the chocolate chips.

    Also, if you replace the oil with mayonnaise do you use the same amount of mayonnaise as the oil and is that the only thing you replace in the recipe.

    Thankyou

    • Angela Lanter

      If you double a recipe, you need to double all of the ingredients. 🙂
      I have never baked brownies with mayo, so you would need to google.

  • Do these brownies need to be kept in the refrigerator?

  • Jennifer

    So you don’t bake anymore after you pour the condensed milk and chocolate chips on top?

  • Hi, I’m dying to try these for my daughter’s bday party – my one question – after you pour on condensed milk and chips do you bake again? Or that’s it – you just let cool and serve?

    Thanks so much!

  • Mary Ann Skibinski

    I bake a lot of brownies but can’t wait to make this recipe, sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing, Angela.

  • Toni Eubanks

    Walmart substituted the brownie mix that I ordered for a different brand. They call for 1 egg. Should I use 2 as your recipe says?

  • What do you do with the other half of the can of condensed milk?? Make another pan of brownies? 😉

  • Are these cut into squares or do they fall apart

  • Paul Simington

    Great REcipe

  • I think toasted coconut and pecans on top would be really yummy.

  • Made recipe exactly as written in an 8×8 pan. Delicious! Will try again using a homemade brownie recipe. Thank you Ang!

  • patricia Thomas

    I make brownies according to directions and before baking add 1 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup chocolate chips or whatever flavor you want. You can also add nuts if you like.

  • Christine

    I noticed the bag of chocolate chips in your picture are semi-sweet chocolate but the recipe calls for milk chocolate chips. Did you use milk chocolate? Thanks.

  • Christina Phillips

    Omg I cannot wait to make this!!!! I bet they are soo good!!

  • I only have triple chocolate brownie mix which has chocolate chips and chunks in the mix. Do you thunk this would still work?

  • Can I make the night before ? Will they be okay or watery?

  • Hello! Are you making these in an 8×8 pan or 9×13?
    It doesn’t look square but you say to make the brownies according to the package directions.
    Thanks!!

    • Angela Lanter

      I use the 9X13!

    • Replying to Gina:
      You’ll have to check your brownie mix. Some brownie mixes are made for only 8×8, and some are made for 9×13 (but you can put them in an 8×8 to make them thicker.) If you have an 8×8 size brownie mix, maybe try two mixes in a 9×13.

  • Just baked it today and it’s gooey alright. Thanks.

  • Lindsay aka Stella_summers

    Dang girl all your recipes are so good!!!! You are going to turn me into an oinker ? hahaha

  • Maxine Tate

    Well my American friends, now you have got me ! All your talk about chocolate brownies has my mouth watering. Tomorrow I’m off to the shops to buy brownie mix, condensed milk and chocolate drops etc and have a bash at this recipe that you have all been talking about ! Problem is though, in Australia we don’t have any of the brands that you mention so I just hope that they turn out somewhere as good as yours sound ? Then the next problem is, my husband doesn’t like chocolate anything . Poor me, looks like I will have to eat them all myself ! I love reading all your comments, In my mind I’m reading them with your wonderful American accent . It makes me feel soooo far away though . ( big sob ).

    • Angela Lanter

      YAY! I hope you love them, Maxine!

    • Were you able to make the brownies?
      It’s so funny that you said, “wonderful American accent”.
      I LOVE the Australian accent. It has always been my favorite ?

  • How long do they have to sit before you can eat them?

  • I’m going to make these for a small family BBQ birthday party this Saturday. I’m excited to try this, because I do love brownies! This will be the extra dessert besides the birthday cake. I’m just curious…does the chocolate chips melt and soak into the brownies?

  • Since the choc. chips on put on top while still hot, do they melt and make a frosting which needs to be spread over the top? Seems like there should be a number 5 step…… ???? And yes, if you use mayo which I often do, you substitute it in place of the oil. Another sub. for oil is applesauce which I use often. You can’t taste the difference & it’s just as moist if not more so!

    • Angela Lanter

      Just let them melt! No need to spread!

      • Kimberly

        Do they need to be refrigerated if you make them the day before your event?

        • Angela Lanter

          I don’t refrigerate mine so I don’t think you’d need to.

  • Do you put them back into the oven for a few mins? Do they stay soggy then or not. They look good

  • Lisa Peters

    I use toffee pieces instead of the chocolate chips!

  • In case this hasn’t been answered. Reading through the comments, I can say that Miracle Whip can be used instead of real mayonnaise. My mom used Miracle Whip 60 years ago in place of oil in brownies. Also the Mayonaise Cake can be made with Miracle Whip. The only ‘mayonaise’ we had in our house was Miracle Whip. Hope this helps.

  • Tasty and simple!

    I used a GF/DF brownie mix then topped it with sweetened condensed coconut milk and shredded coconut.

    My brownie mix was super fudgy so the finished recipe was RICH – but that’s exactly the way I like it!

    YUM! Thanks for sharing!

  • Cassandra

    I used butterscotch chips and mmmm, can’t for the husband to try them

  • Do these need to go in the refrigerator? Thanks

    • Angela Lanter

      We leave them out but you could put them in the fridge!

  • tdchinges

    I love this crack brownies recipe.

  • Donna W.

    I’ve been craving something sweet and I love peanut butter! I was looking for a easy low ingredient recipe and this is what I came apon.. crack brownies I’m going to try it right now! I will let you know!!!
    Soon!

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