Shortcut Boozy Kahlua Brownies (Boxed Brownie Hack!)

Name: Shortcut Boozy Kahlua Brownies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 18-20 ounce box of brownie mix; 6 tablespoons of melted butter (unsalted); 1/4 cup Kahlua; 1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi sweet or milk); 1 egg; 1 teaspoon of brewed coffee; 3 tablespoons butter (room temperature); 1/3 cup of Kahlua; 3 tsp vanilla; 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 cup of chocolate chips

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Shortcut boozy Kahlua brownies turn box brownies into an extra delicious treat. This is one of the best boxed brownie hacks out there and will turn any mix into an over the top treat.

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Mmmmm. Brownies.

Oh how I love delicious chocolatey, gooey brownies.

Is there a better dessert especially when they are Kahlua brownies?

I might be biased.

Kahlua is one of those throwback things for me that takes me back to the one summer that my newly 21 year old self actually ordered drinks out.

I’d get something fruity and girly- big surprise I know.

My husband would always get a mudslide or some other Kahlua drink.

And I’d always steal lots of sips of it.

Because Kahlua and chocolate are a match made in heaven as these delicious brownies more than prove!

We’re talking rich chocolately brownies topped with Kahlua icing.

OMG delish.

Ingredients and Kitchen Supplies

To make these Kahlua brownies you’ll need:

Brownie mix– Use your favorite brand in an 18-20 ounce box. I do recommend avoiding mixes that have additional chocolate syrup for this recipe because they may make the brownies not set properly.
Butter– Yes, I know the box calls for oil, but adding melted butter to brownies is a flavor thing. Trust me and try melting unsalted butter and using it instead. You’ll never go back!
Kahlua– Just a little bit. It adds a nice background flavor to the chocolatey brownies.
Chocolate chips– Go for semisweet or milk chocolate here.
Egg
Coffee– A little brewed coffee helps enhance the chocolate flavor.

For the Kahlua icing, you’ll need:

Butter– Unsalted butter softened to room temperature
Kahlua– Obviously
Vanilla extract
Powdered sugar– Don’t use granulated sugar
Chocolate chips– For topping

Kitchen supplies you’ll need include:

mixing bowl
measuring cups and spoons
hand mixer
baking dish

How to Make Kahlua Brownies from Box Mix

1. Make the Kahlua brownie batter.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together mix together the melted butter, egg, Kahlua and coffee.

Stir in the brownie mix until combined.

Fold in chocolate chips.

2. Bake the brownies.

Pour the brownie batter into an 8×8″ glass baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray and bake in an oven that you’ve preheated to 325 for 40-45 minutes.

The brownies will appear slightly underdone but cool to doneness.

3. Make the Kahlua icing.

When the brownies are completely cool, use a hand mixer to beat together 3 tablespoons of room temperature butter, 1/3 cup of Kahlua, and 3 teaspoons of vanilla.

When the wet ingredients are combined, turn mixer off and add powdered sugar.

Mix on low until combined.

Spread over the cooled brownies and top with extra chocolate chips.

Cut into squares and enjoy.

It’s the stuff of dreams, I tell you.

Storing

Store any leftover brownies tightly covered in the fridge for up to a week.

You do want to refrigerate these because of the icing.

FAQs

Can I use alcohol instead of water in brownie mix?

Why, I am so glad you asked!
Yes you can and we do in these Kahlua brownies.
What a way to add flavor!
Do keep in mind that not all the alcohol will cook off which can play a role in cook time and also why I recommend not using a mix that has you adding extra chocolate syrup.

Why are we adding coffee to the brownie batter? What does it do?

A teaspoon of brewed coffee enhances the chocolate flavor of the brownies. It will NOT make the brownies taste like coffee.

Tips and Tricks to Jazz Up Box Brownie Mix

Add alcohol instead of water! Like in these Kahlua brownies, alcohol adds a ton of flavor to brownie mix that taked boxed brownie mix to a whole new level of luscious.
Substitute butter for oil. Again we do that in this recipe, but butter’s higher fat content will give you richer, more decadent brownies. Plus it adds a buttery background/
The teaspoon of coffee. Look, I know you aren’t looking for coffee flavor brownies and adding such a small amount will not make your brownies taste like coffee. Adding coffee to chocolate desserts is similar to adding a little salt to cookies. The coffee compliments the chocolate and brings out its flavor.
Extra chocolate. I like to stir in extra chocolate chips so you get little pockets of pure chocolate in the brownies.
Icing. This is a personal opinion but I am one hundred percent #teamicing. It adds moisture and flavor. Don’t want to add icing but want some extra moisture and flavor? Drizzle a little vanilla simple syrup over the top of your baked brownies.
Decorate them! Not relevant for this recipe but I love to bake up a box of brownie mix and decorate them for Halloween (see also Pumpkin Patch Brownies and Graveyard Brownies) and other occasions!

Other Store Bought Dessert Hacks

Other Boozy Desserts

Looking for other boozy desserts to try? These are a few of my favorites:

Did you make this? Let me know!

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