Better Boxed Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies

Brownies are one of those desserts that almost everyone loves, but I’ll be honest, boxed mixes can sometimes let vegans down. They can turn out too oily like lava, too cakey, or just off. That’s why I came up with my Better Boxed Vegan Brownies method, and I’ve been using it ever since. It makes brownies fudgy, rich, and seriously bakery-worthy without the mess of starting from scratch. And today, I’m taking that base recipe and giving it the ultimate glow-up with not one but two Reese’s-inspired goodies: the new dairy-free Reese’s peanut butter chips and the new Reese’s Peanut Butter Oreos. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

Why these brownies are next-level

You know how sometimes brownies have one highlight. Maybe they’re loaded with chocolate chips or they’ve got a peanut butter swirl? These brownies have layers of flavor and texture going on. The Better Boxed method keeps the base super fudgy, the Reese’s chips melt into pockets of peanut-buttery goodness, and then the Oreos add that crunchy-creamy surprise in every bite. They’re not just brownies, they’re basically the dessert equivalent of a mic drop.

And if you’ve ever doubted whether a boxed mix can taste “homemade,” this recipe will totally change your mind. No one will guess these didn’t come from scratch. (I won’t tell if you don’t!)

Some notes on the ingredients

The star of the show here really is the Reese’s lineup. When I saw they released dairy-free Reese’s chips, I knew they were going in brownies. They’re sweet, nutty, and finally a peanut butter baking chip that everyone can enjoy. Then you’ve got the Reese’s Peanut Butter Oreos, which are basically Oreo cookies filled with peanut butter creme. I broke some up and added them on top but you could fold some into the batter as well.

And of course, the backbone of this whole recipe is my Better Boxed Vegan Brownies method. Instead of drowning the mix in oil or weird egg replacers, you’ll use a flax binder, melted vegan butter, and a little nut butter. This combo gives you rich, fudgy brownies without that greasy boxed texture. It’s a trick I’ve been using for years, and once you try it, you won’t go back.

Some serving ideas

I’ll be honest, I rarely wait for brownies to cool completely. But if you want perfect, clean squares (and less melted chocolate on your hands), chill the pan for 20–30 minutes before slicing. These brownies are amazing straight from the fridge, slightly warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, or even crumbled over non-dairy yogurt for a very indulgent breakfast. (No judgment here.)

They also make a killer party dessert. Stack a few on a plate and you’ve got something that looks bakery-made but took you less than an hour from start to finish.

If you love peanut butter you have to try these!

Boxed brownies don’t have to be boring. With a couple of easy swaps and some fun mix-ins, you can turn an everyday dessert into something people will remember. These Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies are proof that a little creativity (and a lot of peanut butter) goes a long way. So grab a box of brownie mix (my favorite is Duncan Hines brand), the new Reese’s chips, and a pack of those peanut butter Oreos, and get ready to wow your taste buds.

Trust me, once you bake these, you’ll be asked to bring them to every get-together from here on out. And honestly? You won’t mind. Please rate and review if you try them!

Better Boxed Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies

Recipe by Kreg

4.7 from 11 votes

Course: Sweets, DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

16

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

21

minutes

Fudgy vegan brownies made with my Better Boxed method, packed with dairy-free Reese’s peanut butter chips and chunks of Reese’s Peanut Butter Oreos for the ultimate peanut butter chocolate treat.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 1 box brownie mix 16-18 oz that are vegan by ingredients

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 cup vegan butter, melted

• 1/4 cup peanut butter (see notes)

• 1/3 cup water

• 3 tablespoons finely ground flax meal mixed into 1/4 cup room temperature water

• 1/2 cup Reese’s dairy free peanut butter chips

• 5-6 peanut butter Oreos

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°. Butter or spray (I prefer to butter pans) a 9” square baking pan and set aside.
• Whisk the flaxmeal into the water and set aside to thicken for 3-5 minutes.
• Open the brownie mix and empty into a large bowl. Whisk in the baking powder then add the rest of the ingredients and the flax egg and beat with a hand mixer or for about 50 strokes by hand until completely blended and glossy. Add in the peanut butter chips then pour into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula or spoon. Break up the cookies and press them into the batter all over the top.
• Times for baking will vary depending on your oven and how chewy or cakey you want your brownies and the recommended bake times on the box from the manufacturer. In my convection oven 18 minutes was for super fudgy brownies, 21 minutes for chewy but not too dense brownies (how I like them) and 27 minutes for cakey. Your times will vary if using a regular oven and/or larger or smaller pans. Most boxes have baking times listed on them so always check them for the sized pan you’re using. Also note that glass and nonstick pans will bake faster than aluminum, stainless or earthenware pans.
• Cool and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Notes

• Sunflower seed, almond or cashew butter should work as well if you don’t want to use peanut butter but these are PB brownies after all.
  
• Use a good dense vegan stick or block style butter. Tub butters have more water but if it’s all you have it will work as well. I have not tested coconut oil and plain oil will work as well but vegan butter worked the best in my tests.
  
• If using a smaller sized mix (on the 16 oz size end) reduce the amount of water by a few tablespoons then add it back in if the mix seems too dry. You can always add but you can’t take it away.
• Most brownie mixes I’ve tried have worked well with this method. I usually buy Duncan Hines mixes but store brand mixes have worked well and others. I tested quite a few and all with good results.

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