Blind Taste Test: Boxed Brownie Mix | Ranked with Babish

[@AkhierDragonheart]

Notice how the bite size quickly shrinks as the realization of just how many brownies he is going to be tasting sets in.

[@pastaalalamborghini]

He went from a bite to barely a nibble

[@terrivel11]

I was actually wondering in the beginning if he was gonna be doing that or not. Even single bites the size of his first one is a tooon of brownie to eat.

[@joshp8535]

As did the scores. Nobody else finds it suspicious that the first brownie he had got ranked the highest and the rest got lower? Yeah bro, because you didn't WANT to eat brownies anymore. I'm not even saying that Ghirardeli brownies aren't the best, but the scores got so much worse as he was clearly no longer enjoying himself.

[@andmicbro1]

My first thought when looking at the number of boxes was I would be pacing myself.

[@essaboselin5252]

@@joshp8535 Yeah, it would be interesting to do a repeat where he changes the order in which he tastes them. I imagine there would be a some very different rankings.

[@IvoKintobor]

should have had a homemade batch thrown in there too

[@matthewbutner8696]

Wanted to see this too to see how he would have rated it.

[@osmanyousif7849]

Or even trying to improve upon the Ghirardelli dark chocolate one that he ranked the best.

[@katscandance]

That would be a fun idea for the blind taste tests ranked videos!

[@badreprint]

Can you even imagine how high he'd rate Alvin's brownies?

[@quesoqueso7598]

Then it wouldn’t be a boxed brownie rating

[@pariscloud2907]

I could tell just by looking at the first one that it was a Ghirardelli mix. The big box at Costco is so worth it.

[@diamandis07]

Yesss the triple chocolate one is my favorite.

[@erikharrison]

Same. That Costco box does great service in my home

[@NeonRainGeo]

Agreed! We love that one. :)

[@jamiegould7951]

I too, grew up on Costco Giardhelli brownies 💖💖💖💖

[@1094steven]

Zame, as soon as I saw that I knew exaclty which brand it was, they have my favorite brownie mix

[@purpleheart3000]

My family would only buy the cheap box mixes when I was little, so we have a bunch of tricks to improve them! Add a little more salt, a teaspoon of espresso powder, a cup of chocolate chips or chunks!

[@fluffyflareon4152]

mmmmmmm im gonna do that next time too

[@garyadkins9496]

Browned butter instead of oil.

[@queencleopatra007]

​​@@garyadkins9496 I'm taking notes. Is the browned butter in the same amount as the oil would have been?

[@jjudy5869]

I want my brownies with black walnuts or pecans, chocolate chips, caramel chunks are nice too.

[@kevinlloyd3047]

@@queencleopatra007 The way I do it, yes. You lose significant volume when browning the butter. I recommend starting with 25% more butter by volume so that you end up with an equivalent volume of brown butter to oil. Also, adding an extra egg yolk and using milk instead of water helps to up the fudge factor without pushing it too far

[@cassidycarson2505]

If I don't eat a brownie in the next 6 hours I'm going to die.

[@hollystiener16]

lol

[@stephaniecorcoran8621]

me watching this while pregnant not even liking chocolate or brownies: I NEED THEM ALL

[@jennaestewart]

felt

[@cookiemoon947]

Did you die?

[@JeremyForTheWin]

please answer, OP

[@baseboned]

I wish you'd try the winner again at the end just to confirm it was still your favorite, since it was the first one. Seems like it might have benefited from going first

[@byrdb90]

I was hoping he would have roo

[@michelewilla]

Probably by the end he was already on a sugar high

[@HunniRoze]

I think he should have had a break half way so he wasn’t overwhelmed.

[@darcieclements4880]

If Ghirardelli is the best brownie on the market right now either everybody else has gotten worse or they've gotten way better. I think you might be onto something with him eating that one first. I mean don't get me wrong their mixes are fine they just don't have very strong chocolate flavor and tend to be rather expensive with a lot of mix in that result in an uneven texture which is not really feeling like a brownie anymore to me. They make dense cake cubes with chunks of other things in them or squishy stuff on top.

[@ruths_youth]

I was surprised that Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate mix wasn't part of the test but then I realized that it's only available in a 6-pack at wholesale stores like Costco and then was no longer surprised at its exclusion.

[@muffinman3052]

The Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate is the One True Brownie. No substitutions are permitted. I will never go back

[@matt173]

@@muffinman3052tbh, their chocolate chip cookies are my go-to too. I buy and add extra chips to get them perfect. You know, chocolate chips held together with just a little bit of cookie.

[@sharonglynn9208]

I get the Triple Chocolate at my local grocery store.

[@karmaremusic]

Just came here to say this. I’m appreciative of the gatekeeping , that way they don’t sell out 😉

[@ItsMichaelDavis]

It's also much worse than the double chocolate.

[@Nooticus]

By far my favourite Babish series. This is like if GMM’s gut check was done by someone who really knows food and is reliable and consistent with scoring. Amazing series

[@lorie_a_]

HAHAHAH my thoughts exactly! No Link-scales here!

[@Nooticus]

@@lorie_a_hahaha exactly

[@angellynn7701]

We all love link, but we all know it’s true.😂

[@Nooticus]

@@angellynn7701 haha indeed

[@SpiralSine6]

Rating: Highest - Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate (8/10) Lowest - Jiffy Fudge (2/10) Price: Highest - Stonewall Kitchen Triple Fudge ($16.35) Lowest - Jiffy Fudge ($1.20) Rating Per Price (R/$): Highest - Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge (3.3) Lowest - Stonewall Kitchen Triple Fudge (0.4)

[@ClovesnSpice]

I believe it should be "Duncan Hines"

[@SpiralSine6]

@@ClovesnSpiceshhhhh idk what you mean

[@ifeelsoalive]

Honestly I tried to watch the video but he talks so slow, I put the video at 2x speed and he it still sounds normal. Still got frustrated and skipped to the end lol

[@UndecisiveAngel]

​@ifeelsoalive this is what watching tiktok or Instagram reels does to our attention span

[@screamingmeowth1]

the kitchen must have smelled fantastic after all this brownie baking.

[@MadamMaru-gm5ff]

I have a trick to make any brownie mix turn out better: mix the egg and oil together until completely emulsified, then mix in the water, before adding to the dry mix. It makes such a difference to the texture, vs dumping it seperately into the dry mix and hoping it will distribute properly.

[@plektosgaming]

Or get a mix like Trader Joes that doesn't require nasty oil. Or make it from scratch - that also works :)

[@vastttyl8161]

"nasty oil" yeah okay dude@@plektosgaming

[@plektosgaming]

@@vastttyl8161 Soybean oil is a very cheap alternative to better oils and fats traditionally used in baking. It's also not very healthy for you. Absolutely do switch to sunflower or something else if you must use it for baking.

[@chriskof5376]

100% on the mixing well of the wets.

[@MadamMaru-gm5ff]

@@plektosgaming I never specified any type of oil.

[@haltopen12]

ghirardelli brownies are my go to for king brownies

[@ClaytonSayer]

I was a little bit hoping that Andrew would take another bite of the first brownie again at the end to see if his rating had changed after eating so many other brownies or if his 8.0 was spot on.

[@CleoVonGem]

This could not be better timing! I'm planning on making brownies for my boyfriend's birthday, they're his favorite. THANK YOU for doing this research! My hero 🎉

[@FranFellow731]

Ghirardelli is the only one I’ve ever seen a real chef, any real chef (who always tells you to make your own because it’s better) compliment. Also, triple doesn’t refer to the type, but rather the quantity, I’m almost positive.

[@AllGreyEverything]

Double chocolate chip cookies are chocolate dough with chocolate chips. Triple chocolate cookies are chocolate dough with two kinds of chocolate chips. It's the amount of chocolate components, usually including the base batter or dough.

[@usagi_moon7]

I didn’t know I needed this data until now

[@kyibobpeb]

Ghirardelli brownies are my family's fave, hands down. However, I will be trying out the Betty Crocker Delights soon due to their high scores in this review.

[@johncox9868]

Yeah Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate is my fave.

[@greekchick104]

When I make brownies from scratch, I use the Ghirardelli brand cocoa powder and it is game changing.

[@antoinettemiles5741]

Ghirardelli is hands down my favorite

[@AnnesFamilyRecipe]

Shout out to Aldi brownie mix-my favorite! Ultra fudgey 😍 I bake them in a 13x9 so they’re way “shorter” and I think that helps with the texture!

[@tumtum_2830]

the real brownie question is do you enjoy the edge pieces or center?

[@darknorthstar01]

You either like the edge pieces, are lying, or are objectively wrong.

[@gabbonoo]

I enjoy edge pieces first. ...especially if i dont cut it. edge and middle > than only edge or only middle.

[@Aiden-V2.0]

edge me, brownie papa. wait, wat

[@babishculinaryuniverse]

Edge pieces - varied textures are my love language

[@playgroundchooser]

Throw the edges in the trash, the middle is the only brownie that matters.

[@Too_Tall_64]

I would LOVE a series where you taking a bargain boxed meal/dessert, and find ways to really enhance it. Does it just need some extra sugar and salt? Maybe you gotta put a lot of work into Hamburger Helper to make it an AMAZING meal. Maybe that Viola Frozen Meal just needs some more frozen vegetables and seasoning to really enhance a cheap meal.

[@katy9883]

Feel like he would love the Ghirardelli triple chocolate brownie. Super fudgy with the ideal amount of chocolate chunks

[@diamandis07]

Even before the video started, I was praying to see the triple chocolate mix! It’s deff my go-to for a solid decade, no other brownie mix compares.

[@kirbyjoe7484]

Ghirardelli triple chocolate is second to only their dark chocolate in my book and that's probably only because I like dark chocolate. One of the best brownie mixes out there.

[@williwonti]

I think they may have discontinued the triple in at least some markets

[@GerdZirra]

Oh, so close. There is one (for some reason a little harder to find than the other) that is better. The Ghiradelli triple chocolate just gets you everywhere. They are a delight. Sorry you didn't have the chance to compare here.

[@lax9586]

I love their brownie cuts. The symmetry and texture look amazing.

[@phrenicForensic]

Can I get a follow up where Babish rates the Ghiradelli Triple Chocolate brownies that you can only buy in bulk from Costco? Maybe in a few years when he feels like eating brownies again?

[@MLBuckProductions]

As an avid brownie eater, and a little chunky myself, I’m proud to say that when I opt for a box instead of making it from scratch, I’ve also preferred the Ghirardelli’s dark chocolate brownie mix!

[@edmundmanuel9304]

Watching these ranking videos really highlights babish on script vs off script. On script he has this beautiful measured, paced, and cathartic dictation. Off script he is has a babbling, back and forth whimsicality approach. Two vastly different visages and I find that extremely fun.

[@invisibleman1734]

I used to watch this channel to see bizarre movie/TV-inspired food creations. Now I watch it to see a grown man eat 20 pounds of brownie out of a frisbee.

[@tacticalxpanda]

Not trying the Dolly Parton Fabulously Fudgy Brownies is a crime, but you still ranked my second-fave highest so I'll forgive you.

[@chlcrk]

... Is that a thing?

[@FlickiChicki]

@@chlcrkDollys box mix brownies? Yes! And they’re actually better than any other box mix.

[@dianaadamo5574]

I did not know those existed. Never in my wildest dreams. We live in THE BEST timeline!

[@lindseyyoung9149]

​@dianaadamo5574 She also has frosting, cake mix, cookie mix, and I believe like sprinkles? There's a bunch of her stuff at Walmart.

[@tinaoom]

came to the comments to say the same. i love those brownies.

[@ThePrincessapr]

Ghiardelli Dark Chocolate is one of our favorites. Sometimes, we go for one of the others, but I forget which one. They are often on sale 2/$6 so we stock up. More than worth it and reasonable to keep in the pantry for $3.

[@marchingham]

Loving this series! Liked that you did a blind test this time!

[@AmericanChoirboy]

before the judging, i submit that ghiradelli is the best Update: there was no doubt

[@jenolafson]

As far as I am aware Duncan Hines is the only one of these mixes that doesnt add milk powder. This means if you're lactose intolerant it'll hurt you less.

[@CrystalRL]

Before I became gluten-intolerant, Ghiradellis were my go-to. Now I use King Arthur's Gluten Free Brownie Mix, and I think it might be even better.

[@wisportsfan1]

Might I recommend Aldi’s GFree mix? They’re my personal favorite and I’m not gluten intolerant!

[@oliviavizza8731]

King Arthur Flour GF brownie mix is my absolute fave

[@remainingembers]

Ghirardelli are def the best. Make it with clarified butter instead of oil!!! Sometimes the preparation makes all the difference. Have the Ultimate Chocolate in our cabinet yet again for a reason. They're very chocolatey and chewy and amazing warm.

[@sirfith]

My rule for baking brownies and cake using box instructions. Replace vegetable oil with butter. Replace water with milk.

[@katiem.3109]

100%. Also, it should be melted butter, to clarify.

[@evanwolfe4573]

Please do a blind taste test with boxed cornbread mix

[@NotesNNotes]

Oooh this 😊

[@Budhaball]

I dont know why I was expecting a blindfold...

[@slindish]

That noise at 25:17 gave me a heart attack for a second thinking the smoke alarm was going off.

[@TeganM.C.]

His voice is like liquid honey, so soothing. Wish there was an audiobook using that voice!

[@IjeomaThePlantMama]

I think he used to have a Bedtime with Babish channel where he read stories! Edit: it was actually podcast, and it's still available on Spotify and Apple Music!!

[@emeraldqueen1994]

My favorite brownie recipe : your personal favorite box mix, mixed up per instructions, before baking add your favorite mix ins (mine arehot fudge, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup & caramel syrup but add whatever you want)

[@T_Skillet]

No way that's my favorite too!!

[@NotesNNotes]

I do espresso 😅

[@007bistromath]

The Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge is for people who eat brownies properly: still hot enough to give you a pizza bump. It's a celebration of the volatile chemicals that are all gone when you have something that will be a square in your lunchbox.

[@joshuapatrick682]

Knew the first one was gonna be Ghiradelli dark chocolate because they looked exactly like the ones I make at home and it is my go to because I love dark chocolate!

[@calebwhitcraft1664]

My mom used to make brownies all the time for events around town, she'd send them to the football team, take them to church bake sales, eventually they were famous enough for people to specifically request "Susie's Brownies" with great excitement. They were just a Betty Crocker mix, I think they used to have one just called "Supreme" but I think that eventually turned into the Supreme Triple Chunk. She always told people it was just a box mix but she couldn't convince people that she didn't have some special ingredient to add.

[@csmitty3517]

There are 3 purposes a brownie can fill. Stand alone, bar base, and sandwitch. Each purpose has different needs. Would love to see babish take these mixes and combine them into Frankenstein combos for a perfect sandwich and or bar base brownie.

[@CTScenic]

Thanks for being servicey! We just made ghirardelli dark and it was rich and delicious and the kitchen smells amazing.

[@YukonCornaglia]

Great episode! Once your pancreas recovers you should do cornbread mixes!

[@alliejasmine]

Ghirardelli use to make a Triple Fudge Brownie. They are my favorite brownie of all time. Not sure if they still make them or if they changed the name. The Dark Chocolate look exactly how they did but if I remember right they had dark chocolate syrup which was way better than their other chocolate syrup. It's possible they are the same product just the dark chocolate don't have the syrup. I'll have to try them next time I'm in the mood for brownie.

[@sean755]

they do it's a costco-exclusive SKU though

[@alliejasmine]

@@sean755 I wonder when they changed that because I use to buy them at Walmart or if maybe my Walmart got them by mistake

[@TS-ct8it]

The name changed to Ultimate instead of Triple.

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

There used to be an ad campaign in the SF Bay Area in the 70s. A Cartoon Parrot would sing, “If you want chocolate, say Ghirardelli. Gear-ahr-delli!”

[@nathank1899]

I will literally die if this series stops, this encapsulates everything I love about food!!!!!! NEVER STOP MAKING THIS SERIES!!!!!!

[@noireisbest6786]

I've eaten so much Jiffy cornbread, but I didn't know about Jiffy fudge. I think Jiffy also makes pizza crust and a few other things.

[@Christine-pm8ct]

I gave up brownies for lent, so thank you for letting me live vicariously through you.

[@joeterra.t]

This idea was definitely created while high lol

[@KhanaHatake]

Ghirardelli brownies will always be my go-to! I substitute milk for the water and add an extra egg yolk for utterly irresistible!

[@lauren_sunshine]

Thank you for this very useful data. The brownie I grew up eating was Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate (syrup, chips, and chunks) but I can never find it anymore. I’ve been buying the Ultimate Chocolate instead which is apparently worst Ghirardelli! Next time I’ll give dark chocolate a try 😄

[@oxfletch]

Costco.

[@GerdZirra]

@@oxfletch yup. I don't know why the best one is so hard to find.

[@mrao9068]

They really went all in on the alliteration 😂

[@chlcrk]

Even moreso than usual given there's usually 3 alliteration pun runs per episode

[@jerlstrom]

now we need a comparison video of you making the 100hour brownie vs the brownie mix winner

[@JimMorrison-m8x]

Thank you for putting on a hat. The glare from your shiny bald head was blinding and today I finally didn't need sunglasses🤣

[@blubba818]

I do not like chocolate chips in my brownies, so my personal favorites are the Duncan Hines fudge brownies. Replace about half of the oil with peanut butter and you’re golden.

[@RebelRhiannon]

I love the Duncan Hines to! I like thin brownies with no chocolate chips, I also like the slightly oily texture of the cheap brownies

[@aprilbennett4161]

I used to be a fan of Duncan Hines, but they changed the recipe either last year or the year before, and now I despise them.

[@TheHaileyHavok]

PANCAKE MIXES NEXT! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@cd2290]

When I moved out on my own and started doing my own grocery shopping, I found the Ghirardelli Dark brownies and haven’t turned back. I have added flaky salt on top after baking or I’ve drizzled on salted caramel ice cream topping on before baking. Adding high quality chocolate chunks before baking is another great way to make them. They are great on their own and can easily be punched up. ❤

[@AUSPetrol]

Kendall, you should've picked one of the brownies to sub out with re-making one of the brownies from his Basics episode, to see where he rated his own brownies without knowing. Or maybe only showed him the boxes at the end after he'd tested his own recipe 🤣

[@LemonZest]

I feel very validated. His top 2 ranked brownies are my 2 favorite boxed brownies. I typically go for Betty Crocker Triple Chunk though.

[@JamesErath]

I've been making the Ghiradelli dark chocolate for years, but spice it up with an extra egg, a pinch of salt, and replace the water with 1.5 times the amount of Port Wine for a little kick

[@vfplayer]

I don’t know what made me decide to try the Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate, I think because I prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate, but they are by far my favorite brownie mix. I like a cake like brownie, so I follow the instructions on the box to make them cake like.

[@SuberMorio]

I’m glad I’m not the only one willing to purchase trunk brownies in a Target parking lot.

[@bakedpotato1238]

Watching this while baking a very special batch for an upcoming celebration 🌿🌿

[@drrichardew7878]

Someone should've given him a cosmic brownie as a joke lol

[@angelasieg5099]

Jiffy mixes are what I used to buy for my daughter's Easy Bake oven

[@sheiladelong7112]

Ghirardelli $5, where does he live, New York? 😆 And yes, Ghirardelli is always the winner for me. The only baked item I make from a mix every time!

[@mgeorge487able]

Yes! Triple Chunk is my go to. Not too expensive but worth the bit extra for the quality

[@IbarakiPlays]

I hope you made like brownie milkshakes with all those EXCESE brownies 😂 im sure it all got eaten by everyone in the studio when

[@babishculinaryuniverse]

We ate/packed up as many as we could muster, and the rest went to a food pantry down the block!

[@kenthan9388]

well now I want a brownie milkshake...

[@AlaskaDuckDynasty]

@@babishculinaryuniverse I hope you threw out the Jiffy and Pilsbury first 😂

[@IbarakiPlays]

@@babishculinaryuniverse 👍 awesome

[@marcamusprime9513]

What is excese? Same as excess, maybe? All caps was an interesting choice.

[@ohhmg2130]

I wish you were this thoughtful about avoiding biases during the peanut butter tasting.

[@amandaanderson9951]

i don't like having chocolate chips in my brownies because when they're cool i don't like running into hard chunks in my brownies. I also use butter instead of oil, mix in dark chocolate when I melt the butter to up the chocolate-ness, and sometimes a shot of espresso in with the liquid. I like both edges and center pieces but for different reasons, really i'd just like the whole pan to myself.

[@meghankelly1160]

The Dark Chocolate Ghirardelli brownies have been my favorite for years!

[@Bryce_the_Woomy_Boi]

Next time I make brownies, I'm gonna try to add a bit of salt, see how it turns out.

[@gabbonoo]

i just used salted butter when making them, was a bit too salty. recommend for people who eat lots of instant noodles and crisps

[@Aksaarben]

I just like to liberally grease the pan with salted butter. Gives the crust a buttery, slightly salty/caramelized texture.

[@SnyperWolf101]

My partner and I did a similar taste taste, and also found the same brownie to be our favorite. I feel validated!

[@snausages43]

I like the caramel walnut turtle Ghirardelli kind.

[@niki8635]

For the Ghirardelli ultimate I recommend one of those segmented brownie pans. In fact i just recommend them.

[@Makincoffee]

Let's just say, it must smell great in the studio during this episode

[@betruriddle]

King Arthur's Gluten Free are by far the best ever. Even friends who eat gluten have said they are better than any others they have had. You must try them!! Add a little espresso powder to enhance the flavor 😍

[@jansenart0]

14:40 wherein Not-Babish discovers "price per ounce".

[@Katd16]

Ok, take my advice on the Ghirardelli ultimate mix... If you take some creative liberty and use the included syrup as a swirl instead of incorporating it into the mix homogeneously it's actually BOMB. The textural difference makes it my favorite box brownie mix.

[@acikiwirr4452]

just realized that Andrew’s mannerisms reminds me a lot of The Grandmaster from Thor Ragnarok and i’m here for it‼️

[@LoyaFrostwind]

Bacon on s’mores is something I didn’t know I needed.

[@4freenbeck]

Boxed cake mix next please!!!!

[@nospam626]

Ghirardelli Double Chocolate mix is my go to. But I replace the water with coffee, regular strength coffee. Or dilute some espresso to Americano strength. 1:3 or 1:4

[@kellyro77]

🤣 "YOU are the third chunk". love it

[@johnstanczyk4030]

But what about the real question: best chicken tender brand?

[@Sgt_Kal]

I would have loved to see Kendall slip in a Cosmic Brownie in there somewhere.

[@azul9400]

I’m from the UK so not sure if the recipe is different but Betty Crocker’s fudge brownie mix is absolutely the brownie of my childhood too! We always had some in stock :) They remain the ones I’d get if I bought brownie mix, however we don’t actually have any of the other brands in England so I can’t speak on those!

[@joshp6061]

I love these food reviews, plus the banter is hilarious

[@anthonydowney3109]

I would love to witness you conducting a blind taste test between your homemade brownies and store-bought ones!

[@BugsyFoga]

Whenever it’s discounted, I’m always up get a box of Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix .

[@divab63]

Ghirardelli dark chocolate brownies with Chambord substituted for some of the water, Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips and walnuts! My favorite brownies.

[@kenhunt]

Bob's Red Mill is hands down the best brownie mix you can buy.

[@mubeendewan2287]

The most 2010 pfp I've ever seen I love it

[@Joxxerfoxy]

The nostalgia 😩

[@tinybadastronaut]

As a person from Portland, everything BRM does is the best.

[@MarkARoutt]

May Bob rest in peace.

[@jaciw]

R.I.P Bob 🕊️

[@microracer24]

Best brownies: Betty Crocker Fudge. Bake @325F for 34 minutes in an 8x8 metal pan lined with parchment paper.

[@Smokescale]

I desperately need "See you on the other side of the brown-bow" on a t-shirt with Andy making that face under the brown rainbow.