Name: Loaded Brownie Mix Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box brownie mix (any variety); 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup chocolate chips; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (or nuts of your choice); 1/4 cup M&Ms or mini marshmallows (optional); 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

These loaded brownie mix cookies transform a simple box of brownie mix into irresistible, bakery-style cookies. With a fudgy center, slightly crisp edges, and packed with delicious mix-ins, these cookies bring together the best qualities of both brownies and cookies in one easy-to-make treat.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Uses boxed brownie mix as a shortcut ingredient
Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish
Customizable with your favorite mix-ins
Perfectly fudgy centers with slightly crisp edges
No mixer required—just a bowl and spoon
Great for last-minute desserts or bake sales
Kid-friendly recipe that's easy enough for beginners
Makes a perfect gift for chocolate lovers
Freezes beautifully for future chocolate cravings

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Brownie mix serves as the foundation for these cookies, providing that deep chocolate flavor and fudgy texture we all love. It's the perfect shortcut ingredient that still yields homemade-tasting results.

All-purpose flour helps to stabilize the cookies and gives them structure. It transforms the brownie batter consistency into a proper cookie dough that will hold its shape when baked.

Vegetable oil adds moisture and helps create that signature soft, fudgy texture. You can substitute with melted butter for a slightly richer flavor if preferred.

Eggs bind everything together and provide structure. They're essential for creating that perfect balance between fudgy and cakey textures.

Chocolate chips bring extra pockets of melty chocolate goodness throughout each cookie. Feel free to use semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips depending on your preference.

Chopped walnuts add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor that contrasts beautifully with the sweet, fudgy cookie. Pecans or almonds work wonderfully as alternatives.

M&Ms or mini marshmallows are optional but add fun color, texture, and additional sweetness. The marshmallows create little pockets of gooey goodness when baked.

Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the cookie, especially the chocolate. It's subtle but makes a noticeable difference in the overall taste.

Salt balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate flavor. Even though it's a small amount, it's crucial for a well-rounded flavor profile.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, flour, and salt.
Add the oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and stir until fully combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips, walnuts, and any additional mix-ins like M&Ms or mini marshmallows.
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still soft.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields 12 cookies, making it perfect for a small family dessert or after-school snack. Each cookie contains approximately 210 calories.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Variations

Triple Chocolate Cookies: Add white chocolate chips and dark chocolate chunks along with the semi-sweet chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey experience.

Peanut Butter Lover's: Swirl in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the batter and use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips.

Rocky Road: Use mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and chopped almonds as your mix-ins for a classic rocky road flavor.

Mint Chocolate: Add ¼ teaspoon of mint extract and use mint chocolate chips or chopped Andes mints.

Caramel Delight: Press a caramel candy into the center of each cookie before baking for a gooey caramel center.

Red Velvet: Start with red velvet brownie mix and add white chocolate chips for a festive twist.

S'mores Cookies: Use mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and crushed graham crackers as mix-ins.

Storage/Reheating

Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to help keep the cookies soft.

Refrigerator: While not necessary, you can store the cookies in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container.

Freezer: These cookies freeze exceptionally well. Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They'll keep for up to 3 months.

Cookie Dough: You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough. Scoop into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Reheating: To enjoy warm cookies, microwave a cookie for 10-15 seconds, or place in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. For frozen cookies, thaw at room temperature or microwave for 20-30 seconds.

FAQs

Can I use any type of brownie mix for these cookies?

Yes, any variety of brownie mix will work for this recipe. Whether you prefer fudge, triple chocolate, or even specialty flavors like mint or salted caramel, they can all be transformed into delicious cookies using this method. Just keep in mind that different brownie mixes may slightly alter the final flavor and texture.

Why did my cookies spread too much during baking?

If your cookies spread too much, your dough might have been too warm or the oven temperature might be off. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, or check your oven with a thermometer. Adding the extra ¼ cup of flour is crucial as it helps the cookies hold their shape.

Can I make these cookies without any mix-ins?

Absolutely! While the mix-ins add texture and flavor variety, you can certainly make these cookies with just the basic dough for a pure brownie cookie experience. They'll still have that wonderful fudgy texture and rich chocolate flavor.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies are done when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone. They will continue to cook a bit on the hot baking sheet after you remove them from the oven. Over-baking will result in dry cookies rather than fudgy ones, so it's better to slightly underbake than overbake.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, this recipe doubles beautifully. Simply double all ingredients and proceed with the recipe as written. You may need to bake in multiple batches unless you have large baking sheets.

My cookies came out too cakey. What went wrong?

If your cookies are too cakey, you might have added too much flour or over-mixed the dough. Try using less flour next time (just enough to form a scoopable dough) and mix just until the ingredients are combined. Also, make sure you're not over-baking them.

Can I use butter instead of vegetable oil?

Yes, you can substitute melted butter for the vegetable oil in a 1:1 ratio. This will give the cookies a slightly richer flavor, though it may make them a bit less fudgy and more like traditional cookies in texture.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

Standard brownie mix and all-purpose flour contain gluten, so these cookies are not gluten-free. However, you can make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free brownie mix and replacing the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

How can I make these cookies look more professional?

For bakery-style cookies, reserve some of your mix-ins (especially chocolate chips and M&Ms) and press them into the tops of the cookie dough balls just before baking. This ensures visible mix-ins on top of each cookie for a more appealing presentation.

Can I add a cream cheese swirl to these cookies?

Yes! For a cream cheese swirl, mix 4 oz softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla. After scooping the cookie dough onto the baking sheet, place small dollops of the cream cheese mixture on top and gently swirl with a toothpick before baking.

Conclusion

These loaded brownie mix cookies represent the perfect marriage of convenience and indulgence. By starting with a brownie mix and adding just a few pantry staples, you can create bakery-worthy cookies in minutes rather than hours. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – feel free to experiment with different mix-ins and brownie mix flavors to create your own signature version.

Whether you're a novice baker looking for a foolproof recipe or an experienced cook needing a quick chocolate fix, these cookies deliver exceptional results with minimal effort. The contrast between the slightly crisp edges and fudgy centers makes them irresistible to chocolate lovers of all ages. Keep the ingredients on hand for last-minute guests or whenever a chocolate craving strikes – you're only 20 minutes away from cookie perfection.